Nikon 50mm 1.4 Af Query
Discussion
I've got a question that I'm hoping one of you clever people can help me with.
I 'won' an ebay auction for a Nikon AF D 50mm 1.4. Paid what I thought was a reasonable price. The lens arrived today and it's actually the AF version rather than the AF-D. I've emailed the seller to let them know but just wondering what difference there may be between the lenses.
It seems like a nice lens, sharp, focuses quickly though quite plasticy. I'm in two minds whether to just ask for a full refund or whether to ask for a partial refund and keep it. I have a D300 by the way. I assume this means that the lens will work normally but I won't have TTL metering?
Just wondering what other's would do in my shoes?
I 'won' an ebay auction for a Nikon AF D 50mm 1.4. Paid what I thought was a reasonable price. The lens arrived today and it's actually the AF version rather than the AF-D. I've emailed the seller to let them know but just wondering what difference there may be between the lenses.
It seems like a nice lens, sharp, focuses quickly though quite plasticy. I'm in two minds whether to just ask for a full refund or whether to ask for a partial refund and keep it. I have a D300 by the way. I assume this means that the lens will work normally but I won't have TTL metering?
Just wondering what other's would do in my shoes?
D = focal 'D'istance info provided via electronic contact by lens to body for improved flash metering iirc. From what I've seen this affects the values of 35/ 50/ 85mm primes by £15-£35
Edit
Just to add, the AF-D was a development which, lens for lens, had very little overlap with straight AF versions so by default your AF is likely to be older than an AF-D
Edit
Just to add, the AF-D was a development which, lens for lens, had very little overlap with straight AF versions so by default your AF is likely to be older than an AF-D
Edited by AndWhyNot on Tuesday 13th December 11:51
Gad-Westy said:
It seems like a nice lens, sharp, focuses quickly though quite plasticy. I'm in two minds whether to just ask for a full refund or whether to ask for a partial refund and keep it. I have a D300 by the way. I assume this means that the lens will work normally but I won't have TTL metering?
Don't see why you wouldn't have TTL metering - you just won't have the full (3D) version of metering which might, or might not be an issue. Spot and centre weighting won't be affected.The "D" version will, perhaps obviously, be a newer lens, but I can't recall any specific changes to the lens arrangement. There weren't any improvements like ED glass or nano coatings with the D version, so I would suspect that you wouldn't notice a lot of change.
I haven't got it to hand, but I don't recall my D being too plasticky, although Nikon did ar$e around with plastic from time to time - I assume it's a metal mount.
if you do some searching around, and also check against the serial number you might find some specific help on the Interweb.
Here's a useful Serial Number guide to which are which Nikkors
According to this, yours might be a plastic one made in Japan (which some believe to be better!) as compared to the rubber "N" version or the later D.
According to this, yours might be a plastic one made in Japan (which some believe to be better!) as compared to the rubber "N" version or the later D.
As already mentioned the D denotes that the lens sends distance information to the metering system for flash (CLS). That said, I've used both D and non-D lenses and didn't note any difference in use.
The big jump IMHO is from AF-D to AF-S.
However you are technically the victim of misdescription, which eBay is pretty hot on, so whether you decide to pursue it is up to you.
The big jump IMHO is from AF-D to AF-S.
However you are technically the victim of misdescription, which eBay is pretty hot on, so whether you decide to pursue it is up to you.
Cheers all, some great information.
The seller has been in touch. It sounds like it was a genuine error. It's easy to see how as the lenses look very similar. Haven't quite sorted how we resolve this. I'll happily keep it at the right price or return if that is the seller's preference.
Funny that the 1.4 AF-S has been mentioned. I have actually acquired one of those as well at a rather bargainous price. My original intention was to wait until both lenses had arrived, see which I preferred and then sell the other on and maybe even make a penny or two.
The seller has been in touch. It sounds like it was a genuine error. It's easy to see how as the lenses look very similar. Haven't quite sorted how we resolve this. I'll happily keep it at the right price or return if that is the seller's preference.
Funny that the 1.4 AF-S has been mentioned. I have actually acquired one of those as well at a rather bargainous price. My original intention was to wait until both lenses had arrived, see which I preferred and then sell the other on and maybe even make a penny or two.
Gad-Westy said:
Funny that the 1.4 AF-S has been mentioned. I have actually acquired one of those as well at a rather bargainous price. My original intention was to wait until both lenses had arrived, see which I preferred and then sell the other on and maybe even make a penny or two.
OK, so you wanted a "D". I'll swap your AF-S for my "D" and we'll all be happy! 
Simpo Two said:
As already mentioned the D denotes that the lens sends distance information to the metering system for flash (CLS). That said, I've used both D and non-D lenses and didn't note any difference in use.
The big jump IMHO is from AF-D to AF-S.
However you are technically the victim of misdescription, which eBay is pretty hot on, so whether you decide to pursue it is up to you.
This The big jump IMHO is from AF-D to AF-S.
However you are technically the victim of misdescription, which eBay is pretty hot on, so whether you decide to pursue it is up to you.
I've also never found any practical difference in use either. I find the Nikon flash automation so inconsistent that I tend to turn it off...
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