Lenses D vs. G?

[jeanneholverstott]

Hi, I am researching lenses for my D90. I'm considering a prime lens either at the 35mm or 50mm focal length. I've been looking on Nikon's page and I am seeing a D or G tag with several of the lens. What's the difference?

[inkista]

Originally Posted by jeanneholverstott

Hi, I am researching lenses for my D90. I'm considering a prime lens either at the 35mm or 50mm focal length. I've been looking on Nikon's page and I am seeing a D or G tag with several of the lens. What's the difference?

Age of the design. The Ds are older than the Gs. The G basically means the lens doesn't have an aperture ring on it (so it's not usable on an older film body where the aperture control is expected to be on the lens, not from the body), but it is often paired with AF-S on the newer lens designs (e.g., the 35/1.4D vs. the 35/1.4G).

[LoveDSLR]

From Nikon ("http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/glossary2.htm"):

D
Distance information

D-type and G-type NIKKOR lenses relay subject-to-camera distance information to AF Nikon camera bodies. This then makes possible advances like 3D Matrix Metering and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash.
Note: D-type and G-type NIKKOR lenses provide distance information to the following cameras: Auto exposure; F6, F5, F100, F90X, F80, F75, F70, F65, F60, F55, F50, PRONEA S, PRONEA 600i, D2 series, D1 series, D100 and D70s/D70.
Flash control; F6, F5, F100, F90X, F80, F75, F70, D2 series, D1 series, D100 and D70s/D70.


G
G-type NIKKOR

The G-type NIKKOR has no aperture ring; aperture should be selected from camera body.

[Dajuan]

I was just talking with a photog friend of mine about the 50G lens just today. I've owned both the D, and now the 50G lens. I wish I hadn't sold my 50D f/1.4. The 50G f/1.4 focuses much slower, although it is a bit sharper. But it is much slower to focus. I believe this is a gearing decision by Nikon. The 50D lens is less expensive too.

If you're looking at the 35 f/1.8 lens for the D90, go for it! The 35 f/2 lens is often quite soft wide open.

I think the G lenses in general all have Nikon's latest Nano coating, reducing flare and increasing clarity.

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by Dajuan

I was just talking with a photog friend of mine about the 50G lens just today. I've owned both the D, and now the 50G lens. I wish I hadn't sold my 50D f/1.4. The 50G f/1.4 focuses much slower, although it is a bit sharper. But it is much slower to focus. I believe this is a gearing decision by Nikon. The 50D lens is less expensive too.

If you're looking at the 35 f/1.8 lens for the D90, go for it! The 35 f/2 lens is often quite soft wide open.

I think the G lenses in general all have Nikon's latest Nano coating, reducing flare and increasing clarity.

You right about the slow focusing. I have not use the 50 1.4D but with my 50 1.4G I felt that it didn't focus as fast compared to my 24-70.

Would you said it would be fair if I compare the AFS speed with my 24-70?

Aside that it did focus slower than my 24-70, I does focus a little bit faster than my friends Sigma 50 1.4

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by Dajuan

I think the G lenses in general all have Nikon's latest Nano coating, reducing flare and increasing clarity.

Completely false.