Whose ratings can I trust?

[InAwe]

I'm deciding between the Nikon 50mm 1.8d and 1.8g for my D90. Most of the reviews seem to say the "g" is sharper (and better overall except for more distortion). However, the dxomark website gives the "d" a better rating than the "g". Since I'm a bit new to the ratings game, I don't know who to trust (as if it wasn't difficult enough to choose already). Please help if you can! Thanks in advance.

 

[paulski66]

g > d

 

[kormendi_adam]

There are different opinions on which is better. Most say the G is superior, but it is bulkier, more plastic, more distortion and some reported focus shift.
D has less contrast and is less sharp at wide apertures.

It is really hard to tell which one you would prefer. Try both of them if you can.
But I bet, as most people, you'll prefer the G version.

 

[happypoppeye]

Either your own or someone you know that owns the G, D, or both ...don't trust anything on the internet whole heartedly, most reviews are biased and based on one's personal use and opinion. The technical reveiws could have really big flaws to them also ...one man's highest priority in a lens may be another man's lowest ...what one man wants in a lens may not be what the next wants ...for some the size is most important, for others the metal vs. plastic is the most important, etc, etc

I would get the G...

I'm deciding between the Nikon 50mm 1.8d and 1.8g for my D90. Most of the reviews seem to say the "g" is sharper (and better overall except for more distortion). However, the dxomark website gives the "d" a better rating than the "g". Since I'm a bit new to the ratings game, I don't know who to trust (as if it wasn't difficult enough to choose already). Please help if you can! Thanks in advance.

--
http://www.wanderinground.wordpress.com
http://www.pbase.com/happypoppeye

It's almost all opinion folks, gonna have to deal with it.

 

[howielenny]

Both are great and have advantages. The G is newer and should in theory be better and slightly sharper. The D version is quicker to focus but cheaper to buy.

I bought the D version a long time ago and see no advantage in paying the extra for the G version. I am tempted at some point to upgrade to the 50mm 1.4 just for the odd occasion I could do with 1.4.

I don't think you'll go far wrong with either of these lens and it boils down to pay a little extra for the newer version (G) or save a little money and for for the older version (D).

 

[ranamo]

I never liked the D version. Have owned two different copies at different times, but did not like the way they render a picture. Sharpness is not the problem, as this lens is tack sharp. But somehow the pictures looked sort of "grainy ". ( I have no better word for it ) I now have the f1.4 G, and happy with it. But, from what I've seen, if the f1.8 G had been availeble at that time...................

I think the 1.4 G is still maginaly better than the 1.8 G but not worth the price difference. ( I always stop down to f2.2 or even smaller, so this may bet different for others )

Goodlight
Ranamo

 

[Mako2011]

I'm deciding between the Nikon 50mm 1.8d and 1.8g for my D90. Most of the reviews seem to say the "g" is sharper (and better overall except for more distortion). However, the dxomark website gives the "d" a better rating than the "g". Since I'm a bit new to the ratings game, I don't know who to trust (as if it wasn't difficult enough to choose already). Please help if you can! Thanks in advance.

Here is a review and comparison I have found to be very accurate. I ended up with the f1.8 G on a D7k
http://mansurovs.com/nikon-50mm-f1-8g-review

Good Luck

My examples with no PP

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

A lot of people like to use a prime wide open for wafer thin depth of field. The G is far sharper wide open. The D is actually pretty mushy wide open, then a switch gets flipped at about f4 and it becomes as sharp as sharp gets, with no distortion. A really good landscape lens. Under certain conditions, it can produce a phantom white disc on your pic, no extra charge :^)
This comparison tool gives the whole story:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=766&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=638&CameraComp=614&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
Bottom lne, get the G if you want to shoot wide open.

 

[InAwe]

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your input!

 

[aut0maticdan]

It may be the best AF 50 nikon has going right now. Here is a very well thought out review:

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-50mm-f1-8g-review

He compares all the AF Nikkors and a Sigma. They all have there areas of strength and weakness. Though he loves the 1.4G, he admits the 1.8G may be the best all-rounder of the bunch.

I have the 1.8AFD and 1.4G; also have the 50 1.2AIS. The 1.8AFD is nice, best $90 lens I've ever bought. At some apertures, its arguably the best I have. It definitely has some contrast and flare issues wide open. I also don't love its bokeh. The 1.8G seems to address all these problems rather well.

 

[_sem_]

I never liked the D version. Have owned two different copies at different times, but did not like the way they render a picture. Sharpness is not the problem, as this lens is tack sharp. But somehow the pictures looked sort of "grainy ". ( I have no better word for it ) I now have the f1.4 G, and happy with it. But, from what I've seen, if the f1.8 G had been availeble at that time...................

Got the 1.8D. Surely fairly sharp, other basic characteristics ok too, and serves more than well for the money. But it does have harsh background bokeh, and I've noticed ghosting on some occasions. So I don't use it much since I got the Tamron 60/2.0 macro (but I wish the latter had an AF limit switch).

 

[slimandy]

You need to read the rviews and not just go by the ratings. You also need to take other factors into consideration, e.g. bokeh, focussing, AFS etc..

You won't get a sharper lens than the 50mm f1.8 D if it is stopped down a bit but the G is still a superior lens.
--
http://www.andrewsandersphotography.co.uk

 

[Jose Rocha]

Except for distortion, the G is superior in all other things. The thing you notice right at the first time with the G is the "pop".

--
http://500px.com/joserocha81