Nikon 50mm f/1.4 D (Fringing problems)

[TheTimeChamber]

So, I ventured into the world of the nifties, with the aim to do more portrait shots. And, I got a little distracted walking into Greys of Westminster and may have walked out with a 2nd hand 50mm.

Now, when I shot wide open, the lens seems to fringe very badly. This gets better if I stop down to 1.8 etc, but I brought the lens so I can use the stupidly narrow depth of field.

Is this normal, have I picked up a knackered 2dn hand copy, or am I using the lens wrong as I am not used to the low aperture?

 

[TCR4x4]

My 50 1.4 was horribly soft and fringy at 1.4, cleared up fine at 1.8 though. Just the way it is I feel, the 85 1.4 is similar from what I've read.

 

[TheTimeChamber]

:-(

My test shots from the weekend, stopping it down makes it amazingly sharp, sounds the same as yours! Few websites have said the same thing...

 

[boyfalldown]

My 50 1.4 was horribly soft and fringy at 1.4, cleared up fine at 1.8 though. Just the way it is I feel, the 85 1.4 is similar from what I've read.

Mine weren't horribly soft (50 or 85) but they did both fringe badly especially in high contrast photos

 

[TheTimeChamber]

Mine weren't horribly soft (50 or 85) but they did both fringe badly especially in high contrast photos

I think calling mine soft was a bad move, more my focus isn't quite there yet with it! I agree with the high contrast scenario, whites are bad

 

[TCR4x4]

Well mine was soft, its also ghosted badly at 1.4. It was pretty much unuseable at 1.4 but fine above that.
Unlike my Samyang 85 1.4 which is as sharp as anything straight from 1.4 and no ghosting/fringing either.

 

[boyfalldown]

I think calling mine soft was a bad move, more my focus isn't quite there yet with it! I agree with the high contrast scenario, whites are bad

It seems to of been a trend for AF-D fast primes from that age, my 105 f/2 struggles with high contrast wide open