Nikons with autofocus motor in body / Nikons that can autofocus with either lens: Df, D50, D70, D80, D90, D100, D200, D300, D500, D7xxx, D6xx, D7xx, D8xx, all flagships (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5). Models derived from those (e.g. D300/D300s, D3/D3x, etc.) also have AF motors. Nikons without AF motors / Nikons that can only autofocus with the 50mm f/1.8G and NOT the 50mm f/1.8D: D40, D60, D3xxx, D5xxx.

Informative. I have both. Would say that 1.8D is significantly better for b&w, particularly on film (haven’t done any proper testing, opinion just based on results).

The D has an aperture ring that I prefer and the colors seem to be warmer with less contrast. Highlights don't seem to be as washed out with the D version. I prefer the D for those reasons.

Brilliant review! Thank you so much. Loved the auto-focus noise test. I'm usually in quieter environments so this was REALLY helpful.

Good job on the review. The D seems to have slightly more contrast and slightly less barrel distortion in your samples. I’ve owned both and ended up keeping the D version because my Nikon bodies had focus motors and I don’t shoot video. I think if you have a consumer camera that doesn’t have an af motor or if you need the quieter af the G version is the better option.

Thank you so much! Now I am convinced that 1.8D is okay for beginners like me.

2:58 if you switch the camera to manual focus, the AF screw drive retracts so you can manually focus

I’ve owned both the D lens is one of the sharpest lenses you’ll find. A must buy!

Great video. I just got my f/1.8 G lens. Hopefully it will perform well for street photography

Nice video man! I just purchased the Sigma 18-35. A bit tired of the prime lens as I need to move my tripod for each shot I take. It becomes really cumbersome when I shoot outdoors during winter. Now I need to decide if I want to use it with my Sony A6300 with the MC-11 adapter or with my Panasonic G7 and metabones speed booster which is crazy expensive. What would you do?

the f/1.8D is perfect for reverse lense macro photography since it still has manual aperture and has great image quality, especially for the price

I also noticed the exposure difference between the two. Looks like maybe the G would perform better in low light conditions slightly. When I look at your images it looks like the colors on the D are more saturated and the micro contrast is better. In summary I think your conclusion is right on.

I got the 1.8d brand new because it's a lot cheaper and it has warranty. It's plasticky but I would say, after 3 days of use, it's actually sturdy! It's also tigh on the mount. I thought I would break lol. Also, I love the fact that I'm using it fully manual because I have a D3400. The lens is working perfectly but as a beginner, I should stop using F/1.8 because I'm still terrible at finding the right focus! It's always not about getting the shallowest depth of field, people!

I just picked up a mint in the box 1.8D because I'm looking for manual lenses that I can use on my Nikon F3 as well as my F90 and N90s. Thanks for comparing the two. Helpful.

Thanks Hai. Great video for a beginner like me. Your comparisons are really helpful.

The D series renders warmer colors. I do like how the sky looks with it. Nice review.

You are the best reviewer no body had explained this clearly thank you man 😘

The 1.8 D can be a little bit slower with AF, and shooting in the dark if there is any pointy lightsource, the inside of the lens will reflect that weird spots on your sensor. The G is more money, but it’s a better choice for me. The 1.8D has one benefit: it goes down to f22, while the G is only to f16. :)

I'm not sure why people are saying the D has better contrast, when the Contrast on the G looks quite a lot better. The D looks as if you took a picture with your mobile phone, where the lighting & contast on the G looks as if it's from a professional shoot.

Thank you so much for a video that clearly explains the differences. I already have the 50mm 1.8D that I was using with my D3300; I was wondering if, since I bought the D750, I would need a better 50mm. As for the slightly different exposure between the two--that can be fixed in Lightroom. For now, I will just stick with what I have! : ) Thanks!

This is the video that what I am looking for. Informative and straightforward.

Thanks for this. I'm torn between these two. I will be getting the D, since I'm only a hobbyist. 👍

THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO! I have the classic 50mm 1.8 on my Nikon D750 and I LOVE this as an all-around lens...great info!

Enjoyed your video, especially since I recognized from your pictures that you live in Tacoma, where I live too!

From the reference shots you displayed, the colours seem slightly different, and the D looks slightly darker too, but in shooting RAW that difference is eliminated Buying a 1.8D for cheap on Marketplace today for my D3200. There’s no AF on my body so ofc it’ll be all manual, which I’m looking forward to given that I’m buying the lens for portraits. Great video!

Thanks for your honest analysis

I have the D and it is superb. Really sharp especially at ~f4. I use it for film and digital. Unbelievable bang for your buck.

I like watching this review, straight to the point with honest opinion. Thank you

Hello! Your video helped A LOT! Thank you very much, greetings from Brazil!❤️🇧🇷

I bought the D lens because it was cheaper and sharper. But also seems to have less distortion but more vignetting. The ‘exposure’ difference might actually be down to different coatings on the lenses perhaps.

Man what a great review good info do you think I can use the 50mm D lens on my Nikon D3500

Thank you very much for this informative video! I am going to buy this lens for sure.

This was really helpful, I was on the fence about it, but I absolutely agree with you. Amazing video man, keep up the great work!!!

In some instances the 1.8D is prefferable because of the apparture ring. It works great with my Nikon PS-4 slide copier - just make sure you bulk up because that is a HEAVY unit that is built like a battleship

The D vignettes more. Of course, that can be fixed in post.

Tacoma, WA

but the Nikon autofocus noise itself - isnt it dependent on the camera built-in motor?

In your presentation the D lens seemed to out perform the G lens The D lens had better focus.

I've had my camera nikon D5100 since 2013, mostly using it for fun. Now, I'm diving into photography more seriously, especially in commercial photography. However, I'm finding that my 50mm f/1.8D lens requires constant focus adjustments, which is becoming a hassle. Can anyone recommend a lens for my camera that would solve this issue? Your help would be much appreciated

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D only manual if i use the D3500 OR D3400 right

Well explained. You cleared everything... Thanks man ❤️

Nice info bro... Ive learn something from this video... Thanks

I was confused wch 1 to buy bt ur suggestion realy helped me ....I will go 4 1.8d ...Thanks bro God bless u

D looks realistic, whether G looks like over exposed a little, and G is expensive too. So, I would suggest D.

Thank you so much for this vlog. Has answered which one to go for 👍

Good review, very helpful. Thank you!

Awesome video! Thanks for you opinion & information! Do you think you can make a video or just drop the other lenses you use with your f100? I'd love to know which others I should look forward to buying! (Would also appreciate community input) thanks!

I have a Nikon D5100 so I have to get the 1.8G if I want to get the auto focus function

In my experience the G lens break easier than any other nikon lenses. They're fragile and a little dust makes them malfunction.

hello! any suggestion of what lens would work better from these two for nikon d3400? i know nothing about photography yet and just starting to learn. thanks

Well D version has better image contrast. I’d use it instead for that reason.

Very helpful

Way better micro contrast on the D

Great video!!! Do all D and G lenses go with the Nikon F100?

Just got the 1.8 D but I even like the pics you took with it better, but thanks big dawg...

I am lucky I have both and I use both still though I do prefer my afs G lens

The lens over your right shoulder in the background, is that the Tokina 100mm F2.8 macro? Looks like the new one too with the all black styling.

I have had both. After a while using G and D , I decided to sell G...even if I think G is a little bit more sharp at large apertures. From 2.8 the two lenses have the same image quality level, as you are saying in your good video

The d seems to have more contrast in the photos than the G

Good stuff. Thank-you for this.

Hey, I have d7200 with which I would like to make videos not interested in photography much, so for better quality videos which one u suggest d or g??

does the noise really actually matter if youre using a big slapper of a shutter?!?!

Bro great vid ...I've just bought a D3200 what do you think if I'm shooting video? The G ? ...

Here's another reason now that the Z series ML are out. Even with the FTZ adapter, the AF-D lenses will NOT auto focus with Z series bodies.

really nice video! going to buy the D version.

Which should i buy for night photography without any lighting setup?from which lens i can get more blur? . Answer please sir.

Thank you so much for this video.

Thank you so much ♥ this was so helpful

Question: I have Nikon 50mmm f/1.8 D , when I take a picture with Nikon D5500, I can not set the lens to F1.8 ? It's locked. I have to unlock and turn to f22. Can you help. Thanks,

Nikon DXXXX doesnt have internal focusing motor. So if you use the 1.8D, it cannot Auto Focus. However, you still can use it, but with manual focus. Although its not easy, but eventually you will get use to it. But its hard if you shoot with just one hand, for example if you want to shoot something that you need to grab. So you just have one hand to shoot, and its hard. However, for 1.8G. It works well with Nikon DXXXX. You also can choose between manual or auto. So if you doesnt satisfied with the Auto, just convert it to manual. For image quality, i think both are the same.

can the filter lens of AF NIKKOR 50mm 1:1.8D be removed when damaged?

Good work. Thanks. I prefer the D, but only with the right camera. The results looked similar to my tests with the Nikkor 28-105mm 1:3,5-4,5D vs Nikkor AF-S18-105mm 1:3,5-5,6G Also here, I prefer a little bid the D.

Nikon D3****, D5**** users go for G for Auto Focus capability... never had the G but... i have D onboard D5500.. i love the contrast :) it has manual aperture, reverse it and, dang! a macro lens!

Hi! I am considering getting the 1.8g lens and I have a d3000, do you know if it will autofocus with that body? I have the 1.8d right now and I have to manually focus it

I think the 1.8D has better micro-contrast, which might explain the difference why it feels darker.

Good job, very informative and correct!

Thanks. This video helped a lot.

LOVE my 1.8D AND the noise is reassuring.

Nicely reviewed will buy 1.8G

How about Auto Focus SPEED? Cheers for the informative video

Your tests show the same as my pre d lens. The old one needs about +1/3 exp comp. The old one has better micro contrast giving better depth to the photo. And it's even a little sharper than the g lens. It's a bit warmer than the g lens but that's ok and can be cooled a little in post if needed.

Does the 1.8D focuses faster than the 1.8G ?

Is just me, or does the G feel cheap? I have the 35 mm AF-S and I just bought the 50 mm 1.8 G. The build quality seems poor, and my autofocus seems off, I have to override. Has anyone else had issues.

i own a 1.8d and planning to buy a 1.8G what can you say shoud i buy or choose orther lens tnx been using it quite a while now and its good

what a cool review loved it hey man do you think this lens woould work fine as a zoom Lens (no VR)

can u plz tell which will be better for Nikon d5300?? plz do rply

Great bro

"Its a fifty fifty toss up" I see what you did there lel

Very good video

Beginner question here: if I have Nikon D3300 and I buy the D version and I use manual mode on my camera, it does focus right? I have a hard time understanding the focus part. Because without focus, it would be useles.to try and take a photo. So if I use manual mode, I will get a sharp focused image?

Bellissima recensione.

nice! thankyou!!!

If we'll shoot a video from both lenses, which one has a faster autofocus adjustment time? Ty and more power sir!

I have a Nikon D200, and I'm about to purchase the 1.8D

Will the autofocus meter of my d3300 just kick in? When I mount the lens or need I set up something for the aperture ring?

I like them both and are both lens pics are unedited?

Thanks for this video man. I am thinking of buying the D5300 and it sucks that it doesn't have the auto focus motor, but the price difference between those 2 lenses is even bigger in my country, soo.... :)) Also I probably will mainly end up shooting indoor still videos, so I wouldn't really need the autofocus....... right? :D

Can I use 50mm f/1.8D at Nikon D3300? Does it support autofocus or use it manually?

Thank you!

I have D5600 which lens I can buy 50 mm 1.8D or 1.8 G