Aussies a cheap 1.4G 50mm Nikon lens?

Ryanclayts

New member
Hi guys,
I'm wanting to buy a 50mm 1.4G Nikon lens for my year 12 media production.

I am bravely using my D3100 along-side a clap board, an external mic system and stabiliser to prove to a demonic Canon user that Nikon is still just as capable, yet more capable than Canon!

My question to you all is:
Is the 1.4G 50mm lens the best investment to make? If so, at what price range and where from?
or
will I only need the simple and cheaper 1.8D 50mm?
OR!
should I stick to the middle and just purchase the 1.4D 50mm?

I know the auto-focus and focus tracking motor on this camera (or is it lens?) isn't particularly speedy, nor accurate, so maybe this isn't the right option that I should be taking?

Your help would be so so so muchly appreciated.

Yours truly,

fellow Nikonite.
 

Joseph Bautsch

New member
If you are using the D3100 and you want auto focus do not buy a AF-D lens. You have to have a AF-S type. A AF-D lens requires a body with a built in focus drive for auto focus. The D3100 body does not have that function. The 35mm f/1.4G may be your best bet at a reasonable price. Very sharp lens.
 

Ryanclayts

New member
Thanks Joseph,
would you be able to recommend somewhere that'd do the 14.G 50mm lens for a reasonable price?
What would the disadvantages of using a 35mm lens be?
 

Ryanclayts

New member
Haha! I completely agree,
I might just invest in a nifty fifty though guys, the AF-S motor isn't top quality.
As long as I keep my shots mostly in focus, then I'll be pleased.
So the cheapest option is what I'll do, my friend also recommened just a cheap 1.8D 50mm. He filmed this on his dirty Canon 550D and a 1.8 50mm.
The Locker Cleaner on Vimeo
(read description to understand the film!)
Also, I'd really like to keep my cost down.
His final VCE film cost him $1000, though it did make topscreens..
 

Joseph Bautsch

New member
The D3100 is a DX camera. Using a 50mm is in effect a 75mm which is slightly telephoto on a DX type body. The 35mm is equal to a 52.5mm which is very close to the normal standard of 50mm. If you need some telephoto for your project then get the 50mm. If you want something close to normal get the 35mm. Your friends recommendation of a 1.8D 50mm might work on a dirty Cannon but will not auto focus on the D3100. If you get it you will have to manual focus. A f/1.8 lens is a little slower than a f/1.4 but is less expensive. As LensWork has pointed out the AF-S DX f/1.8 35mm Nikkor is very reasonable in price at around $200 USD. I have no idea where to find reasonably priced lenses in Australia. Here in the US I know that B&H Photo has that lens in that price range. Let us know how your project turns out. One thing to remember is that a camera is only a tool. It's the photographer who will determine the quality of the final product. Good luck.
 
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Ryanclayts

New member
Thanks Joseph, that's really handy. I'll look into a 35mm then.
Though when you say that it will only manually focus, does this mean it will have absolutely no AF at all?
I don't need continuous autofocus when I'm recording, though I would like for the lens to be able to when I hold down the shutter, are all D lenses capable of doing this?
Thanks for your help.
 
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Joseph Bautsch

New member
The difference between a AF-S and a AF-D lens is that a AF-S has the focusing motor built into the lens. The AF-D lens does not. In order to have a AF-D lens "auto focus" you have to have a body that has the lens focusing motor built in that body. If you do not have a body with the built in focusing motor then a AF-D lens will not auto focus. While a AF-D lens will work on the D3100 you will have to manually focus. So the answer to your question is that a "D" lens will absolutely not AF without the built in auto focus motor. The only way to have AF on a D3100 is to use a AF-S type lens. See page 196 of your users manual. It has a list of the lenses that can be used with the D3100 and the functions each supports.
 

Ryanclayts

New member
Thanks a lot Joseph,
unfortunately I bought my camera in Japan and my manual is in japanese.
I shouldn't have any problems downloading a manual on the internet in english though.
Once again fellow Nikonites I thank you!
 
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