Will the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G work better than the 50mm f/1.8D on a Nikon D90 DX camera?
Asked 12/5/2010
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I'm comparing the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G and 50mm f/1.8D for use on a Nikon D90 (DX sensor). I was wondering whether the f/1.8D would somehow “waste” light because the DX sensor crops the image, and whether the f/1.4G is designed for DX so it would perform better. I also know the f/1.8D is not AF-S while the f/1.4G is. Does the DX sensor make the f/1.4G a better choice, or is the difference mainly autofocus and maximum aperture?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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The Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.4 G is not designed for the smaller DX sensor and has the same image circle as the 1.8
Are you thinking of the AF-S 35mm f/1.8 G DX which is designed for a smaller sensor compared to the AF-S 35mm f/1.4G?
In any case the size of the image circle is of minor importance to the light gathering ability - only the aperture matters, as Evan states.
Despite a lens designed for a smaller image circle letting in less light total, it lets in the same light per unit area, so if you swap one lens for another designed for a larger image circle, but the same f-stop then your exposure would be the same.
The previous paragraph ignores vignetting, or the tendency for brightness to fall off across the frame. This usually gives lenses designed for a larger image circle a brightness advantage. There are other advantages to using lenses designed for the sensor you are using, such as sharpness, weight and better resistance to flare.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
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No. The 50mm f/1.4G is not a DX-only lens, and the 50mm f/1.8D and 50mm f/1.4G both project a full-frame image circle. A DX sensor does not make the f/1.8D “waste” light in a way that hurts exposure; at the same f-stop, exposure is the same regardless of image circle size.
The f/1.4G can gather more light only because it opens wider than f/1.8, not because of DX vs. FX design. So its advantage is the faster maximum aperture and the features that come with that lens.
Other practical differences from the answers:
- f/1.4G: AF-S, quieter autofocus, smoother bokeh, manual override switch.
- f/1.8D: generally less expensive, very good image quality, and some users find it as sharp or sharper.
Since the Nikon D90 has an in-body focus motor, the f/1.8D will still autofocus on your camera. So the choice is mainly between lower cost and strong optical performance (f/1.8D) versus AF-S operation, quieter handling, different rendering, and the extra 2/3 stop of light (f/1.4G).
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