How much if a difference does the Nikon Gold Lens (G Type)Make?

CrazeUK · 2 Apr 2012

Hey guys, i am relatively new to photography. I have a Nikon D7000 and as of yesterday 3 lenses.

The lenses I have are:

Nikkor 55-200mm 4-5.6 G IF ED
Nikkor 16-85mm 3.5-5.6 G ED VR With Hoya UV Filter
Nikon 35mm 1.8 G B&W UV Filter

You will notice all are G type lenses.

The primary feature of the lens's (forgive me if I am wrong) are extremly quite in built autofocus mechanisms.

However for those of you that know the D7000, it has this feature built in.

So what additional advantages do i have for being precious about if my new lenses are G Type or not? Or should i stick to the cheaper D Type lenses?

gad-westy · 2 Apr 2012

AFS is what indicates that the lens has a hypersonic motor not the G bit. Your built in motor is not a silent wave and is likely slower than the lens motor hence the advantage of the lens having it's own motor.

ETA Just read that according to Ken Rockwell, G simply means that the lens has no manual aperture control ring.

Dave in Wales · 2 Apr 2012

How much of a difference does the Nikon Gold Lens (G Type)Make?

To IQ, I would suggest none that you would notice, to your bank balance a hell of a lot.

Andysnap · 2 Apr 2012

Correct, G has no aperture ring, D has an aperture ring. It is the AF-S that matters as these lenses have a built in focusing motor for use with cameras that do not have internal focusing.

Andy

brianwar · 2 Apr 2012

G = gelded as in, it's got no ~~knackers~~ aperture ring.

boyfalldown · 2 Apr 2012

Dave in Wales said:
How much of a difference does the Nikon Gold Lens (G Type)Make?

To IQ, I would suggest none that you would notice, to your bank balance a hell of a lot.

I'd suggest that would depend an awful lot on the lens and on the situation you're using it in. For example (and only an example, there are lots more) try using the old 85 f/1.4 d in any sort of backlit situation and then compare it to the 85 f/1.4g and you'll certainly be able to tell the difference

CrazeUK · 3 Apr 2012

boyfalldown said:
I'd suggest that would depend an awful lot on the lens and on the situation you're using it in. For example (and only an example, there are lots more) try using the old 85 f/1.4 d in any sort of backlit situation and then compare it to the 85 f/1.4g and you'll certainly be able to tell the difference

Would you say the new 85 1.4G is better in the situatuion?

CrazeUK · 3 Apr 2012

Re the apperture ring... Why would they charge over double more for something they have taken away?

Dave * · 3 Apr 2012

G doesn't equate to "Gold" or even necessarily "Good".

Until recently they were only the low end series of Nikon lenses.

from Nikon

What is a Nikon AF-G lens?

Until recently only inexpensive Nikon lenses where available as AF- G lenses, however Nikon has now launched several new AF-G lenses including the professional AF-S VR70-200mm F2.8G IF ED and will continue to introduce new AF-G lens across the Nikkor range. The only difference between Nikon AF-D and AF-G lenses is that AF-G have no aperture ring. Studies reveal that few Professionals are now using lenses with aperture rings, the ability to electronically adjust exposures by 1/3 stop via the command dials far outperforms manual ring adjustment, however experienced the user may be.
A substantial weight saving is a secondary benefit too; G-type lenses, like D-type lenses, transmit distance information to the camera for 3D Matrix metering systems. The absence of an aperture ring affects the compatibility of the lens with certain cameras, see the chart below of camera exposure mode compatibility with G type lenses:

simonblue · 3 Apr 2012

The only thing is the D lens come in handy,if you ever want to use the on an old manual camera FM etc

CrazeUK · 3 Apr 2012

Dave1 said:
G doesn't equate to "Gold" or even necessarily "Good".

Until recently they were only the low end series of Nikon lenses.

from Nikon

Ok i see what they are saying.. BUT that still doesnt explain why the G type lenses are FAR more dearer than the D type lens. Or is that simply doen to the Auto focus feature?

Is there any difference in lens quality / type / coating etc?

SamHH · 3 Apr 2012

CrazeUK said:
Ok i see what they are saying.. BUT that still doesnt explain why the G type lenses are FAR more dearer than the D type lens. Or is that simply doen to the Auto focus feature?

Is there any difference in lens quality / type / coating etc?

"G" means the aperture cannot be set manually, only electronically.

If those lenses happen to be more expensive than equivalent "D" lenses, it is because they coincidentally have another feature or quality that makes them more expensive.

boyfalldown · 3 Apr 2012

CrazeUK said:
Would you say the new 85 1.4G is better in the situatuion?

oh yes

. I only meant it is an example though, if you look over many of the newer lenses you'll find many incremental improvements like this. If they are what you need then they make one very big difference. If you don't need them of course you'll never notice

gad-westy · 3 Apr 2012

They're only more expensive because they tend to be the latest lenses. Clearly Nikon sees no reason to fit an aperture ring now (and even as an occasional film user, I see their point). I can't think of a single like for like example where a 'g' lens is more expensive than a genuinely like for like non-g example. I think mainly because I can't think of any like for like examples at all.

vizzair · 3 Apr 2012

CrazeUK said:
Re the apperture ring... Why would they charge over double more for something they have taken away?

They have removed the mechanical gubbins and replaced it with motors and chips to drive it all, lot fiddlier to make and fit, so more expensive.

Dave * · 3 Apr 2012

CrazeUK said:
Ok i see what they are saying.. BUT that still doesnt explain why the G type lenses are FAR more dearer than the D type lens. Or is that simply doen to the Auto focus feature?

Is there any difference in lens quality / type / coating etc?

They aren't always more expensive, as an example, the 55-200 G you have is one of the cheapest Nikon lenses available and is only mediocre in performance. It was designed as a complement to the 18-55 G kit lenses which again is a low end lens.

G lenses mean only one thing, no aperture control on lens, and go from the very low end (like the 55-200) to the Pro end. As a redesign of a lens is launched, Nikon will more than likely turn it into a G lens (as none of their current cameras need the lens to control aperture).

CrazeUK · 3 Apr 2012

Dave1 said:
They aren't always more expensive, as an example, the 55-200 G you have is one of the cheapest Nikon lenses available and is only mediocre in performance. It was designed as a complement to the 18-55 G kit lenses which again is a low end lens.

G lenses mean only one thing, no aperture control on lens, and go from the very low end (like the 55-200) to the Pro end. As a redesign of a lens is launched, Nikon will more than likely turn it into a G lens (as none of their current cameras need the lens to control aperture).

Ah i see, i guess i was judging it by the 50 and 35 mm lenses i was looking at buying and became aware of the prices.