Nikkor 50mm Quiz (guess which is 50/1.4 AI-S or 50/1.8 AF-D)

[Don Martinello]

Hello guys,

following one discussion with friends from out local photoclub about labeling
Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D as crap comparing it's optical quality to 50/1.4 AI-S/AF-D
having Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D and Nikkor 50/1.4 AI-S I decided to make guess
quiz from very simple studio image. For detail, please take a look at image.

It's been made just for fun... soo, can you tell from linked image which lens
is Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D and which is Nikkor 50/1.4 AI-S? F/Stop=2 was used.



PS: Sorry for not complying with max. image dimensions, forgive me, pls. Thx.

[poilu]

focus is different, first set is focused for left, second for right
but even if it was the same focus, you could not find difference with studio flashes

[Don Martinello]

It is very interesting what you say poilu. Both images were focused on same central spot as is seen on this picture from Aperture:



Manual focusing was done against green confirmation spot D700 provides. I can hardly imagine it was focused on different places as I
understand you say it was .

The first difference between both images is the perspective. I must admit I didn't expect to have 2 images from same 50mm Nikkor
lens with different perspective. What is an explanation for this ? I'm really curious . And what is the matter that I shouldn't see
the difference in IQ using studio flash? I believe if there is any difference in IQ, I should see it using flash whether or not, shouldn't I?

[poilu]

Hi Martin
your test pic is beautiful
I often make mistake and I was just sharing my impressions

[djmike]

I am not Nikkor fan but I like the right one a little. Mike

[gaeger]

I voted AIS on left, mainly because of the color rendition, but not because I can really tell much of a difference! I think your test points out how little difference there often is between older and 'modern' lenses.

[larsr]

At first I was going to say that it's the 50/1.4 on the left, but after looking at the OOF areas, I say that the 50/1.4 is on the right. Color rendition isn't as vivid and the bokeh on the AFD is a bit more pronounced, not so smooth as with the AIS, I've seen the same difference in my own photos too.

Both lenses are spectacular performers, especially the 50/1.8 AFD considering how cheap it is in relation to how it performs.

[Don Martinello]

Thanks everyone who voted or posted an opinion on this .

I admit that both lenses are excellent performers and it's very difficult to say which is which .

I'm really curious why have both lenses different perspective or focal range as they are 50mm.
Maybe it's the "age thing" responsible for this and 50mm AI-S version is not exactly 50mm, who
knows, I have no idea .

Those who say 50/1.4 AI-S is on the left and 50/1.8 AF-D is on the right, you are right.