Nikon 50mm f/1.8D vs 50mm f/1.8G on a D7000: what’s the difference?
Asked 12/30/2012
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I have a Nikon D7000 and currently use a 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-D. I’m considering a 50mm prime mainly for portraits and noticed Nikon offers both the 50mm f/1.8D and 50mm f/1.8G, with the G version costing quite a bit more.
What are the practical differences between these two lenses on a D7000, and which one is the better choice for portrait use?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The G lens, being an AF-S lens, will focus a bit more quietly. It will autofocus on bodies without an AF motor, which is of no benefit to a D7000 owner.
Both are sharp. The G lens is a bit sharper wide open. It's bigger, less plasticy and looks nicer than the D. I think you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference in sharpness between the two in general use.
The G lens has rounded blades, so might give better bokeh, but this is subjective.
It also has a manual focus override, so you can manually focus without switching the lens to M.
I should mention that the "G" designation means that the lens does not have an aperture ring, which prevents it from working well with a film camera. Not needed with the D7000.
I've upgraded from the 1.8D to the 1.4G myself. Would have been happy with the 1.8G but found a good second-hand 1.4G. Obviously I thought it worth upgrading, but the differences are incremental and subjective. I think the manual focus override and slight improvement in sharpness and bokeh worth it for me, but it's really an personal choice. If you can visit a shop and try them on your body, you may want to buy the G lens just on looks and ergonomics alone.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
13y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On a D7000, both lenses will autofocus, so the biggest advantage of the 50mm f/1.8G’s built-in AF-S motor is quieter focusing rather than compatibility.
Key differences:
- AF: The f/1.8G focuses more quietly and supports full-time manual focus override.
- Optical performance: Both are sharp; the G is generally a bit sharper wide open.
- Bokeh/build: The G has rounded aperture blades, which may give smoother background blur, and it feels a bit more substantial.
- Aperture ring: The f/1.8D has an aperture ring; the G does not. That matters more for some older film bodies than for a D7000.
Recommendation: if budget matters, the 50mm f/1.8D is still a very good choice and should perform well on your D7000. If you want quieter autofocus, slightly better wide-open performance, and potentially nicer bokeh, the 50mm f/1.8G is the more refined option for portraits.
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