p.1 #1 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
Friends,
Over the next few days, I plan to post 3 questions regarding Nikkor 35, 50 and 85 mm lenses.
First one: (sadly vulnerable to the Veblen factor) with companies I have faith in, I generally assume quality is associated with price. Why does Nikon offer an $1,800 35mm 1.4 G and a $1,700 85 1.4 but their 50mm offering tops out at the $485 1.4 G (setting aside the MF 1.2).
Im fairly aware of the features that contribute to lens quality and cost just a bit unclear as to why Nikon doesnt offer (by their standards) a 50 in the same league as the aforementioned 35 and 85.
What am I missing?
Looking forward to your insights and thanks in advance.
p.1 #2 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
If Nikon would've added an aspherical element or two, Nano coating, and a little heavier build to the 50 1.4G and priced it at $1500 or so, everyone would complain "why so much for a 50 1.4?" Even then, it would probably only be marginally better than the current lens, which really is a great piece of bargain glass. Unless they squeeze out a AF 50 1.2, I just don't see people buying a $1000+ 50mm lens with the performance of the 1.4 at $450 and 1.8G at ~$200.
p.1 #3 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
Why not just post all three questions right away? Seems a little weird to split it and keep us in "anticipation".
The 24mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4 have just recently been released. They both replaced manual focus lenses. I'm sure the 50mm will be replaced with a nano-coat ED version in time.
p.1 #4 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
ryankarr wrote:
Why not just post all three questions right away? Seems a little weird to split it and keep us in "anticipation".
Ryan, sorry about the unintended intrigue. I didn't want to complicate the thread with multiple questions and I'm trying to respect the 1 post per day rule. I only mentioned the upcoming "series" to hopefully avoid annoying anyone with repeated related posts leading to "geez, is this guy ever gonna stop asking about glass?"
Gladly, at present, I only plan three.
Jul 20, 2012 at 11:11 PM
mshi Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #5 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
Nikon's decision was probably based on how much performance people are willing to pay for and how many copies can be sold.
p.1 #6 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
I read where it (50 MM lens) is surprisingly simple and easy to make. The 35MM f1.8 is also a "normal" lens. The optical formula for this lens is probably very similar to the 50 f1.8.
Normal in this case refers to the size of the image circle in relation to the focal length. It does not refer to a cycle on the washing machine.
p.1 #7 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
If you're in need of a source where you can buy a 50mm f1.4G for $1,800 - just contact me, I can surely help you out
Jul 21, 2012 at 01:10 AM
equestrianguy Offline • • [X]
p.1 #8 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
Lets point out the even bigger obvious question....
Are the 1.4 variations coming out really worth the extra $1,000+ price tag.
Lets face it if the updates to the 24 and 35 focal lengths are anything like the 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 I really can't see a lot of pro's jumping for joy over these grossly overprice 1.4 lenses that most of us aren't shooting wide open.
p.1 #9 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
The answer is so obvious it's easy to miss.
Nikon does not have a 50mm lens that offers pro build quality, autofocus, and top of the line optical performance in an aperture f/1.4 or faster.
There is a patent in for a new 50mm f/1.2, it will eventually be released. No one has any idea as to the timeline. Canon obviously has a market with their 50L, Nikon knows this.
p.1 #10 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
Thanks for your input everyone.
So are we saying (for example) that the difference between the 85 1.8 G and the 85 1.4 G is not substantial (which gets into question No. 2)?
What does the 85 1.4 offer that the 1.8 doesn't (aside from the obvious aperture advantage) - just nano crystal and 9 vs 7 blades?... is that it?... or is the $1,700 1.4 that much sharper and/or more responsive than the $500 1.8?
(If the answer is yes and the 85 1.4 is worth the money, I suppose we circle back to why has Nikon left the 50 mm sweet spot neglected?)
I'm not trying to be obtuse here... just looking for your insight before I spend thousands more than may be warranted - or feel great about spending the money if it genuinely provides substantial advantage.
p.1 #12 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
take the cheap 50's and enjoy. Nikon will give many chances to run up the credit card lol. 50 seems to be a problematic fl. Even zeiss has a cheap 50mm 1.4 (vice the rest of the lines), and it too is not perfect or stellar wide open. If you must have a $1000+ 50mm, go for the zeiss 50 MP. Its pricey and by all accounts worth every penny of the price as well. Not a 1.4 lens though.
85mm....the answer is basically the same as it was years ago for the D series. Do you need the 1.4 FL. If so there is the answer. If 1.4 is not a must have for you, the 1.8 is a cheaper solution. Or if you don't mind used, there are lots of 85mm 1.4 D's floating around the sell boards off and on. This latter option one I took up. Did not like the G price, but I like 1.4. So I went with a used D. it came in today but ofc today I don't have my d700 to put in on. Will enjoy my purchase later on today lol. D is still available new as well if thats your thing.
research the differences to make up your mind here if interested. Jsut take the later opinions with a grain of salt on the D series. If this lens could speak, it would say "Et tu, Brute?". Many new shiny gear heads straight up threw this lens under the bus on G release. Many years ago however, it was a king sitting atop the throne of portraiture/telephoto prime glass. And it has decades of posted and printed work to show why it had that crown.
p.1 #14 · Nikon Primes 2 of 3 questions 50mm and 85
I am all about options. 85 was a recent debate for me. Then I saw a nice deal in the sale threads.
The 50mm's...are what they are. The 50 1.4 G can be a funs lens. At time of buy years ago I jsut did not want to play potential sigma RMA games (they apparently have gotten better since then...not looking to start sigma flame posts).
