Favourite AF-D Primes

[260684]

If you have primes and have AF-D versions, what are your favourites.

Personally I love my 85mm f/1.4D and 50mm 1.8D

I have the 50mm f/1.4 AF-S (beautiful lens), but there is something about the AF-D's. They seem like they will literally out last some modern lenses with motors that (lets face facts) will have a life expectancy. I understand there are benefits but man, I cannot get enough of my AF-D primes.

Anyone else, if so what are your favs, W-Angle and telephoto.

 

[LensLineup]

I still have a soft spot for the 50/1.8 AF-D, my first AF Nikkor in 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2159365364
... cheap, but simple, I think the one I have here is my 3rd or maybe my fourth
(I should keep this one, and stop thinking I won't miss it!)

The 105/2 DC was a great lens, the DC function is amazingly good fun:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2871248702
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2871954273

The 180/2.8 AF-D was a super light '300mm' (ish) for DX shooters
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2159521536

The 35/2 is kinda cute, and the 85/1.8 is an absolute bargain for what it does - but I could live without both

(alas, I've never tried any of the Nikkor 85/1.4)

--
My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto (old stuff)
twitter: http://twitter.com/LensLineup

 

[260684]

I still have a soft spot for the 50/1.8 AF-D, my first AF Nikkor in 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2159365364
... cheap, but simple, I think the one I have here is my 3rd or maybe my fourth
(I should keep this one, and stop thinking I won't miss it!)

The 105/2 DC was a great lens, the DC function is amazingly good fun:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2871248702
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2871954273

The 180/2.8 AF-D was a super light '300mm' (ish) for DX shooters
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2159521536

The 35/2 is kinda cute, and the 85/1.8 is an absolute bargain for what it does - but I could live without both

(alas, I've never tried any of the Nikkor 85/1.4)

--
My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto (old stuff)
twitter: http://twitter.com/LensLineup

The 180mm f/2.8 is a nice lightweighter. Do you use any WA AF-D's?
I urge you to try the 85mm f/1.4. It still blows my mind.

 

[LensLineup]

I keep resisting the urge to try the 85/1.4
... since portraits aren't really my thing (well, I'm not very good at it)

... can't afford the G, and my 16-35 + 60 are both G and N (all neat and tidy )

I have the 20/2.8 AF-D, but I've just recently got the 16-35/4 so it'll hit theBay one day soon. I love the size of it, and it will always remind me of this image I took way back in 2008:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2880682988

but I wanted to get away from the constant switching from 20 to 35, so the new VR zoom thing is doing its thing for me. I rarely need wider than 20, but now I have the 16-20 zone that I've not seen on DX format since 2005 (an inde 17-35 back then). Refreshing.

--
My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto (old stuff)
twitter: http://twitter.com/LensLineup

 

[260684]

I keep resisting the urge to try the 85/1.4
... since portraits aren't really my thing (well, I'm not very good at it)

... can't afford the G, and my 16-35 + 60 are both G and N (all neat and tidy )

I have the 20/2.8 AF-D, but I've just recently got the 16-35/4 so it'll hit theBay one day soon. I love the size of it, and it will always remind me of this image I took way back in 2008:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto/2880682988

but I wanted to get away from the constant switching from 20 to 35, so the new VR zoom thing is doing its thing for me. I rarely need wider than 20, but now I have the 16-20 zone that I've not seen on DX format since 2005 (an inde 17-35 back then). Refreshing.

--
My Gear: DeeSevenThousand + SixteenThirtyFive + SixtyMicroG

blog: http://lenslineup.net/b/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcapfoto (old stuff)
twitter: http://twitter.com/LensLineup

That's a nice image that, proof the old lenses are more than capable. And I notice that's 6400, not bad at all.

 

[NoFunBen]

80-200 no VR but great photos!

 

[clickshots]

They seem like they will literally out last some modern lenses with motors that (lets face facts) will have a life expectancy.

Ultrasonic motors actually have extremely long life expectancies and are used in indutrial processes where longevity is required. Under identical use I would expect the gear driven lenses to fail first everytime

 

[260684]

They seem like they will literally out last some modern lenses with motors that (lets face facts) will have a life expectancy.

Ultrasonic motors actually have extremely long life expectancies and are used in indutrial processes where longevity is required. Under identical use I would expect the gear driven lenses to fail first everytime

I'm not saying AF-S lenses do not last a long time, used properly they will. But in 20 years time do you really think you won't have had to change the motor once or twice if your using the lens daily?

"gear driven" lenses - not sure what you are referring to, however I think you mean screw-driven AF lenses (AF-D's). These have no AF in the lens, it's purely the camera that inserts a pin into the lens to rotate it. There is much less to break on an AF-D lens. Even less so on a MF lens!

All motors have a life expectancy, we know this from basic engineering. Consider that AF-D's have no motor...

 

[TheronFamily]

a question?
If I look here;

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=641&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=756&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
what is that purple stuff and does it affect IQ?
thanks
--

Kevin - Photos 'n Prose: http://the-photo-muse.blogspot.com/
WSSA member #104
DPR on pic posting ...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=30968734&q=simon&qf=m

 

[BLX1972]

Can't choose a favorite. Like all my afd primes

The most used are the 35 + 85

If you have primes and have AF-D versions, what are your favourites.

Personally I love my 85mm f/1.4D and 50mm 1.8D

I have the 50mm f/1.4 AF-S (beautiful lens), but there is something about the AF-D's. They seem like they will literally out last some modern lenses with motors that (lets face facts) will have a life expectancy. I understand there are benefits but man, I cannot get enough of my AF-D primes.

Anyone else, if so what are your favs, W-Angle and telephoto.

 

[ZinhaEq]

That's purple fringing and it's very hard to get rid of. It's one of optical problems of lenses (especially primes with wide aperture), like chromatic aberrations, vignetting...

 

[260684]

a question?
If I look here;

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=641&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=756&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
what is that purple stuff and does it affect IQ?
thanks
--

Kevin - Photos 'n Prose: http://the-photo-muse.blogspot.com/
WSSA member #104
DPR on pic posting ...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=30968734&q=simon&qf=m

It's called Chromatic Abberation or CA for short. Google it. It's basically where different wavelengths of light do not correspond at the focal point and you get hot pink or purple fringing around back areas or points of light. It slightly reduces sharpness so it's not a trait you want; however alot of fast primes and most lenses have some of it wide open, some more than others. Alot of it is correctable in post processing.

 

[260684]

That's a nice little collection right there!

 

[TheronFamily]

is that due to older designs mbe too?
It's very apparent in those (105/2 DC, 50/1.4 etc)
They "clean" up nicely one or 2 stops down.
If I check the new 35mm f/1.8G, it looks clean wide open.

--
Kevin - Photos 'n Prose: http://the-photo-muse.blogspot.com/
WSSA member #104
DPR on pic posting ...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=30968734&q=simon&qf=m

 

[clickshots]

They seem like they will literally out last some modern lenses with motors that (lets face facts) will have a life expectancy.

Ultrasonic motors actually have extremely long life expectancies and are used in indutrial processes where longevity is required. Under identical use I would expect the gear driven lenses to fail first everytime

I'm not saying AF-S lenses do not last a long time, used properly they will. But in 20 years time do you really think you won't have had to change the motor once or twice if your using the lens daily?

"gear driven" lenses - not sure what you are referring to, however I think you mean screw-driven AF lenses (AF-D's). These have no AF in the lens, it's purely the camera that inserts a pin into the lens to rotate it. There is much less to break on an AF-D lens. Even less so on a MF lens!

All motors have a life expectancy, we know this from basic engineering. Consider that AF-D's have no motor...

By gear driven lenses I mean screw driven lenses. Of course screw driven lenses don't contain any AF ability themselves, they do however have gearing to couple the camera AF screw to the lens elements. If you look at an old AF-D lens you'll quite often find they are old and rattle with a rasping sound as they focus, this is due to the AF drive train being worn due to friction.

While the AF-S lenses do contain a motor, it's not a motor in the traditional sense and not subject to any significant heat build up or wear and tear.

Of course I'm assuming the lens will fail due to old age, other factors may affect the lens. Liquids are particularly hardful to AF-S lenses because the AF-S can be shorted out. Whereas AF-D lenses are more easily damaged by impacts knocking the AF out of alignment (in particular if you compare the 50mm 1.4 D and G lenses)

 

[ranamo]

I have the 24mm AF ( non D ) on DX and I love it.

Have owned 2 copies of the 50 AFD f1.8, but never liked them. ( I do like the 50 f1.4 G ! )

My 85 F1.8 AFD is great. ( poor man's f1.4 )

The 180 f2.8 AF is one of my all time favorites.

300 f4 AFD was great, but no AF with Nikon converters.

80-200 push-pull : i prefer it over the 70-200 VR.

The 35-70 f2.8 replaced my 28-70 AFS. I sold the 35-70 later in favor of the 24-85 f2.8-f4 but regret it. I think I'm going to find me a nice 35-70 again.

These older lenses are built like a tank, and although not as sharp as many newer lenses, I realy like their IQ. Somehow they feel more "analog" than modern glass.

Goodlight
Ranamo

 

[noegd]

My favorites on DLSRs are the 60mm 2.8 micro and the 85 1.8 AF-D. The 60mm is close to perfection and the 85 is truly excellent by 2.2.

I had the 20mm 2.8, 24mm 2.8 and 35mm 2 and while they were nice compact primes, I've never been convinced by their performances in digital. My Tamron 17-50 2.8 performed better than the two wider lenses and I replaced the 35mm 2 by the 35 1.8, a much better performer on DX.

If you shoot FX, the AF-D wide primes remain more interesting.
--
Equipment in profile...

 

[Osvaldo Cristo]

...on the order from most favorite to "less" favorite - although I am veeeery happy with all of them.

Regards,
--
O.Cristo - An Amateur Photographer

Opinions of men are almost as various as their faces - so many men so many minds . Franklin

 

[anotherMike]

Honestly, almost no AF-D primes excite me. The only one I truly love is the 105/2 DC, but once an AFS / G version of it comes out, I'll buy it.

The image quality - which is the most important thing to me - is just simply better on the latest primes. Except for the 105/2.8G VR AFS, which I'm not so hot on, every new AFS/G prime they've come out with in the "pro" ranks has been stellar - to the point where I've sold off the older AF-D version of the lens I had before. And I've owned a boatload of AF-D primes from 20 through 300mm, almost everything in that range at one point in time, so it's not like I've never used em.

-m

 

[DRode]

The 85mm f/1.8 AF-D is my fav. However, I can't think of a AF-D prime that I would not trade for it's AF-S replacement. The newer lenses tend to focus faster, hunt less, have better coatings to resist CA and flare and they are as sharp or sharper than their predecessors. The price sometimes is shocking for an enthusiast like myself. The 24mm, as an example.

--
-Dan Rode
http://rodephoto.com