lens - What's the difference between using a 50mm f/1.8G and a 50mm f/1.8D with a Nikon D80?

Recently, Nikon announced their new 50mm f/1.8G lens, as revamp of the old 50mm f/1.8D. Here's how Gizmodo describes the difference:

The main difference between this new "nifty fifty" and the almost decade-old ƒ1.8D is that it has an autofocus motor inside. This means you can use it with any current or recent Nikon SLR. The older lens lacks this motor and is instead driven by one in the camera, which cheaper bodies don't have.

I currently use a Nikon D80 (and I don't plan on changing that any time soon), and I've been considering getting such a lens. Is there any difference between the D and the G lenses when used on a D80? I believe that the D one works just as well, since D80's have internal autofocus motors - is that right?

Besides the autofocus motor aspect, is there any other big difference between them? Since the D is priced at around $120 and the G at $220, should I just get the D?

Answer

Well, the 50 f/1.8G hasn't really been released to 3rd parties yet, so it's difficult to say if any of these things are true for sure, but here's a few ways the AF-S version might be better than the AF-D version:

• Autofocus is quieter. This is fairly certain, as the AF-D version made some pretty audible focus noise, but AF-S lenses are all fairly quiet.


• Autofocus is generally faster with AF-S, though the similar 35mm f/1.8 DX AF-S isn't known for lightning-fast autofocus.


• Better image quality, maybe. Again, it's difficult to say at this point, because 3rd party sites like DxOMark and DPReview haven't gotten copies of the new lens yet. Certainly, Nikon is trying to improve image quality, which is why the new version has an aspherical element. The coatings are probably better, as well.



• Autofocus override. You can adjust the focus after autofocus happens simply by turning the focus ring.

Some other differences:

• Different filter size. The AF-S version has 58mm filter threads, compared to 52mm for the older AF-D version.


• Newer lens comes with a bayonet hood and a lens pouch.


• The older, AF-D can go up to f/22, but the newer lens can only go to f/16.


• The AF-S lens is an ounce heavier.


• You can get the older lens today, but you'll have to wait for the AF-S.