Older lens on D610 -- Compatibility and Sharpness

Ray610

At DXO, lenses are rated to a camera. I'm about to get a D610. I have some older lenses, AFD, AFS, etc. When an older lens is listed at 12MP, 9MP, 16MP, or whatever with this camera, I'm wondering what MP rating is necessary with the lens/camera combo to make sharp photos/prints up to 11x14. Not sure I'm asking this correctly, hope you get the point I'm trying to make. Trying to find out if my lenses will work well. 17x35, 80x200 AFS, 85AFD, 105AFD, 50/1.8AFD, etc.
Thanks much, I'm fairly confused.

WestEndBoy

Your lenses are good enough. Are they the best? No, but they are very good professional lenses generally, though a little dated. I would not be worrying about your lenses until you got a D810 and even then, most of your lenses are good enough.

The weakest link is your 50 1.8AFD, but that is likely good enough too. I would look at this one closely.

I am assuming that your 105 is the Macro. If so, it is your sharpest lens, followed by your 85.

PB_PM

^ Nailed it.

Best advice for you is to not put too much weight into DXO scores, they are almost meaningless in real life applications.

Golf007sd

Both PB_PM & WestEndBoy have given you good feedback. So long as you use the proper f-stop, you will get the most of your D610 sensor.

So go get the body and start shooting

bbeinca

Agree with WestEndBoy, I find the Nikon 50 1.8D on my D600 to be acceptable but not an excellent performer. I've never used the 50 1.8G but I've heard it's somewhat better.

I can say absolutely that the 85 1.8G is fantastic on the D600, one example (f1.8) here:
http://500px.com/photo/72271253/game-day-by-ben-eloy?from=user

Ray610

Hi. Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. When I get used to the camera, either the 50mm 1.4G or the new Sigma Art will be the first lens I add. Still trying to check out if the Sigma has the same quality, or close, to the Nikons.

Actually, right now I'm just hoping that I can learn the camera. I've never used any kind of digital, not even a point and shoot. In fact, I don't even have a cell phone. My first camera was a Brownie, later upgrading to Dad's Argoflex. Can you guess how old I am???

I just figure if I'm gonna tax this old brain with learning digital, I may as well go all out. My last camera was the F100. Had to quit shooting because of some eye problems. Just had surgery on both eyes, and the fuzz is gone from the leaves.

Really, my main concern is for learning Light Room. Now THAT'S gonna give me a problem.

Thanks again for the replies and the help.

I wish they would make a camera like the D810, but with a modular battery section, to lighten the load (and U1/U2).

WestEndBoy

Yes, your lenses would have went well with that camera. Both were great in their day (and the lenses still are).

I used my F80 until a couple of years ago.

Pistnbroke

because I only had a 17-35 for my D800 for those ultra wide weddingshots I bought a Nikon 28-85 as it was only $60 ..the 15 element one just so I had a spare in the car safe ..my only comment is that the camera cannot apply corrections for these older lenses so maybe new is a better choice.but 10x the price

Msmoto

Here is one to look at.. a 300mm f/4.5 from 1967 on a D4….

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/8698489119/sizes/o/

Ray610

Hi. Thanks much for all the replies, you folks were more than helpful. I appreciate it.
Anybody have a guess as to how the 50mm F1.8D would compare sharpness-wise to the kit zoom lenses which come with the cameras? On my F100, I mostly kept the 85 on the camera for normal use.

If I remember right, the 17-35 started getting sharp at the 20mm mark. Think this would still be true, or would the "sweet spot" be different on D610? I'm thinking it probably is different.
Thanks again.

WestEndBoy

The 50 1.8D would compare favourably to a kit lens, but very unfavourably to the 85 1.8G.

heartyfisher

The 50D 1.8 is one of the sharpest 50mm lenses. its weakness is the bokeh.

PB_PM

The 50mm F1.8D isn't an optical marvel, then again none of the Nikon 50mm lenses are. The bokeh isn't that bad, as long as you leave it wide open. Then again I sold mine for the 50mm F1.8G as soon as it came out.

WestEndBoy

The sharpest 50mm is my MF f1.2 in the f2.0 and up range. But it is also the most expensive. I wish Nikon made a great 35 and 50.

heartyfisher

The 50mm F1.8D isn't an optical marvel, then again none of the Nikon 50mm lenses are. The bokeh isn't that bad, as long as you leave it wide open. Then again I sold mine for the 50mm F1.8G as soon as it came out.

I tested 4 50mm nikkors once..
* 50mm F1.8D - Sharpest but bokeh was worst. - I have this. but needs fixing the aperture doesnt close down properly due to oil on the blades.
* 50mm F1.4D - Nice - borrowed
* 50mm F1.4G - Really Really nice but not sharp - borrowed.
* 50mm F1.4AIS - Really nice almost the same as the G but the colours are so much more "cozy". I have this and use it. but the manual focus is a pain without a "real" focus screen.

This taken with the D7000 & 50mm AIS, 3 photos stitched.. its sharper than that .. facebook messing with my photos again... super hot day over 40 Deg.. (105 for you Fahrenheit people)

WestEndBoy

Here is my 50mm 1.2 shot at f/2.0.



And the same shot at f1.2.



Notice the hazy look at f/1.2. It is actually pretty sharp when you look past the haze, but what I believe is spherical aberration produces this effect. I don't really like it on architecture, but I find the effect pleasing with certain foliage shots. Unfortunately I don't have any comparison shots.

The bokeh on this lens is not very good. It is better on my 50mm 1.4G.