Nikon 50mm AF-S vs. AF. Worth the extra cost?

[ImDesigner]

Is the auto focus feature really worth having for not far off twice the price of the AF in f1.8G form?

I'm looking to buy the 50mm soon and I'm working to a budget, hence the f1.8 as opposed to the f1.4 but I don't mind spending the extra for the auto focus if it makes life easier.

I've never used a prime before so I wouldn't mind hearing from those who have.

Clicky

Thanks.

[Turn7]

Ive got the AF version, and its a typical prime lens - nice and sharp a you would expect.

I dont think focus speed has ever bothered me on this lens if Im honest.

[K12beano]

There's a little more to it than just the Silent Wave Motor - the AF-S is a newer design, has an additional element in the design, has latest coatings, and includes an Asymmetric element. But has the same 7 bladed diaphragm - it does not have an aperture ring, though and only goes down to f/16 rather than f/22. Obviously because it has a motor built in it is a little bit bigger and heavier though - and takes a bigger filter size.

It depends a lot upon what you want, whether you like the AF-S for easy override manual focussing and can live without an aperture ring (for example you don't ever envisage using extension tubes).

Overall the AF-S is something like a decade newer design and technology. In this context it's easier to see why the apparently big price difference.

Of course all the technical "stuff" is pretty much nonsense until you convert it into stunning pictures, and the older design won't let you down - the differences in optical quality will be marginal, although the newer design *should* perform better in difficult conditions and control flare etc better. No one ever seems to take pictures of brick walls, so whether they have a little bit of distortion or vignette a little bit probably are irrelevant in your photographing world.

Personally - and if you want a real bargain a secondhand AFD would be my choice (in fact my choice was a secondhand 50mm AF 1.4D - I think that cost me £135 to give you an idea!)

Just my 2d......

PS - you don't mention whether you have a body with a focus motor in it - I have assumed you do.

[RobDickinson]

From memory on a quick comparison when the af-s launched I would go for the af-s seemed a much improved lens.

[ImDesigner]

Thanks for your input chap. I've bought the AF-S. Looking forward to it arriving!