What are the practical differences between Nikon D and G 50mm lenses?
Asked 11/20/2015
5 views
2 answers
0
I'm comparing Nikon 50mm D and G lenses, such as the 50mm f/1.4D vs 50mm f/1.4G and 50mm f/1.8D vs 50mm f/1.8G. If the D lens aperture ring is locked at the smallest aperture, I can still control aperture from the camera body on compatible cameras. So aside from that, why would someone choose the G version instead of the D version? Are the image quality, autofocus, or compatibility differences significant?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
4
The main reason someone would choose a G version of the 50/1.4 over the D version is if you're shooting a D3x00/D40 or D5x00/D60 body, which doesn't have a focus motor in it. On those bodies, the AF D versions do not autofocus, while the AF-S G versions do.
There is also the fact that G versions are typically much newer optical designs, with increased performance. A lot of the G versions are digital-era designs, while some of the D versions are film-era. Sharpness and maximum aperture aren't everything when it comes to lens performance. The G version of the 50/1.4 looks to have better contrast and CA control than the D version when wide open (see: the-digital-picture side-by-side).
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It depends on the specific lenses and camera body.
For the 50mm examples, the biggest difference is autofocus compatibility: the 50mm f/1.4D and 50mm f/1.8D do not have built-in focus motors, so they only autofocus on Nikon bodies with an in-body AF motor. On D3xxx and D5xxx bodies, they become manual-focus lenses. The 50mm f/1.4G and 50mm f/1.8G are AF-S lenses with internal motors, so autofocus works on essentially all modern Nikon DSLRs.
There can also be optical differences. G versions are often newer designs, and may offer improvements such as better contrast, reduced chromatic aberration, and quieter/faster autofocus. But this is not a universal rule—D vs G is not, by itself, a quality ranking. Some D lenses have better build quality, and some G lenses do not include a focus motor.
So the main reasons to pick the G version are broader AF compatibility, often quieter/faster AF, and sometimes newer optics. Compare each lens individually rather than assuming all G lenses are better than all D lenses.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI10y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D vs 50mm f/1.8G: is distortion different enough to matter?
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D vs 50mm f/1.8G on a D7000: what’s the difference?
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G vs f/1.4G: simple differences, and what D vs G means
Nikon G vs D prime lenses on a D7000: what changes besides the aperture ring?
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D vs 50mm f/1.8G on a D80: what changes?