does it mean that both lenses are identical? how about the quality? i really appreciate it if someone can point me to a review page that compares them head to head...
The "D" designation merely indicates that the lens communicates distance information to the body. May be used in some arcane way with metering, but as far as I know has little effect on the newer digital bodies. (I have a 24mm non-D that works great with my D70.)
The AF and AF-D versions of this lens should be indentical optically. I've never read that there is any difference between the two. I suppose it is possible that the newer AF-D version has different, possibly better, lens coatings.
the AF-D 50mm 1.8 optically is the same as the original "series E" manual AI-S lens from the late 70's. It's had a few cosmetic updates ever since 1986 when it was introduced with the n2020 af slr, but in the optics department it is still the same spankin' nifty fifty from the 70's.
I bought my non-D for $15. It was the 2nd cosmetic redesign, so manual focus is easier, it was however cosmetically bad, filter ring busted, scratches everywhere, but optically perfect.
You don't need to pay retail for these, get them second hand for what they are worth. It's my favorite focal length, I'm sure others agree.
I got it from a pal who was offering to sell his prized F4s, he wanted too much for it, when I asked him about his 50mm, he mentioned it was in real bad shape, $15 and it's yours, and that was with shipping included
I took it. I just ordered another one though, from a member here $65. You can't go wrong with a 50, you just can't.
yes... the 50, is great, no matter what system you're on. I remember loving my rokkor 50 1.7 on the old minolta MD's, it was my favorite. Even on medium format, depending on the format of course, the standard lens is very versatile.
with the 50mm, I don't believe that the "D" vs "non D" is a significant difference...hence why nikon took so long to introduce the "D"....if you can find an older non D version that says "Made in Japan", as opposed to "Made in China" pick it up... The made in Japan version is a bit better build quality... just my .02
