Tag: autofocus

AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

A few months back, I was really interested in getting the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G. It was not available in Malaysia then. One of several camera shops that Wuan and I went to last week at Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall had one unit on display. The asking price was RM1880. Another shop did not have stock but was willing to order one for me. He quoted RM1850 for the lens. That price was a real bargain. Wuan had offered to get the lense for me. I was very tempted to place an order but decided otherwise.

Image of AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G.jpg
AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
Photo credit: Nikon USA.

I then found out that Nikon Malaysia has brought in the newly released AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. This is one of the few prime lenses that will autofocus with the D40 and D60. What really got my attention was the price. Nikon Malaysia’s website listed it at RM899. A few photographers at PhotoMalaysia posted in the forum that they got theirs for around RM790. Now, that is a price that is closer to my budget for my first large aperture prime lens. Hopefully I will be able to get my hands on one by next week.

AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

Image of AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G
AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G
Photo credit: Nikon USA.

The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G prime lens is still not available in Malaysia yet. However, Nikon enthusiasts in the USA have already gotten their hands on this lens and are actively discussing about it in the Digital Photography Review forum. I know Wuan will love this lens as she prefers to shoot in natural lighting instead of using the flash in low-light situations. She will also love the bokeh that this wide-aperture lens can produce especially when she is shooting her favourite subject – flowers.

I am waiting anxiously for the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G to reach Malaysian shores which is expected to be sometime next year. This is the only 50mm Nikkor lens from that can autofocus with the Nikon D60. The AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D or AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D has to be focused manually when attached to the D40 and D60 because the body of these two cameras do not have built-in focus motor. The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G on the other hand incorporates the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) into the lens body and is built for such cameras.

AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D And The Nikon D60

Portrait of Peter Tan taken with the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Portrait taken with the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Nikon D60, 1/80s, f4, ISO 400

Wuan and I went to Mid valley Megamall and The Gardens last Sunday with the intention of getting the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D prime lens for our Nikon D60. Actually, I had wanted to get her the lens as our first wedding anniversary gift. We checked around at Fotokem and Fotodata at Mid Valley Megamall. Fotokem did not have stock while Fotodata gave us a reasonable price but we wanted to shop around a bit more before deciding.

We met up with Victor Chin and family for some Peranakan kuehs at Nyonya Colours. That was the second time we met there. The kuehs there are delicious but my favourite is the leong fun drink that they serve. They are generous with the leong fun and have the mind to include a bubble tea straw for sucking up the bits and pieces of the jelly unlike other shops which use the normal-sized straws.

After having our fill, we went to Foto Flash at The Gardens to check out the lens. Unfortunately, they ran out of stock for this particular lens as it has been selling like hot cakes. We tried the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D but could not get it to autofocus with the Nikon D60. We then tried AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D and got the same problem. We then attached both lenses to Victor’s spanking new Nikon D90 and they worked like a charm. Only then did we realise that only lenses with the AF-S prefix can autofocus with the Nikon D60. The Nikon D60 does not have the focus motor built into its body. The Nikon D90’s body has built in focus motor and can therefore autofocus with the AF Nikkor lenses.

We then tested the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED and took several shots with it. We liked the lens and the pictures taken with it but not the price. At RM2,000, it cost almost as much as the Nikon D60. I still want to get Wuan a 50mm prime lens. Nikon recently introduced the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G. This wide aperture lense has the Silent Wave Motor incorporated and will autofocus with cameras without the focus motor built into the body. And of course this lens also costs a bomb at US$339US$439. I may consider getting one when it is available in December provided I can afford it by then.