Nikons 1.4 wide open image issues with AF100?

[Joe748]

When I use my Nikon 35mm 1.4 & 50mm 1.4 the image looks really diffused and the highlights flare. It doesn't look overexposed, the image just looks glowing in a way. It looks cool sometimes but I don't need that all the time. Has anyone else experienced this or know th reasoning?

When I go to 1.8 or 2 it goes away.

 

[PaPa]

these lenses are not their sharpest when wide open. So at F1.4, you will exerience diffused images, more blooming highlights with less detail in general. Even things in focus will not appear to be that in focus.

 

[Joe748]

Thanks, it just sucks because I don't have this issue at all when the same lenses are put on a DSLR, just on the AF100. The blooming/diffusion is night and day using them on the AF100 vs a DSLR. Very frustrating!!

 

[Hunter Hampton]

Try a leica 1.4 and your wide open problem will go away- as well as your savings account stash ; )

 

[woobiee]

the nikkor 24 1.4 does well too but also costs a ton

 

[bgundu]

It shouldn't be any different on a DSLR. Perhaps picture setting on the SLR are masking the low contrast of the lens when wide open. What adapter are you using on the af100? Perhaps there is some like leakage?

Thanks, it just sucks because I don't have this issue at all when the same lenses are put on a DSLR, just on the AF100. The blooming/diffusion is night and day using them on the AF100 vs a DSLR. Very frustrating!!

 

[olof]

There is a glass in front of the imager on the AF100. This causes some ghost reflexions and overall flare with some lenses. My Canon FD 50mm f1.4 has this problem, but my EOS 50mm f1.4 does not, even wide open, and the Voightlander 24 f.95 does not either. I think this has to do with non reflective coatings present on more modern lenses. Older lenses were not coated as well.

 

[Bern Caughey]

There is a glass in front of the imager on the AF100. This causes some ghost reflexions and overall flare with some lenses. My Canon FD 50mm f1.4 has this problem, but my EOS 50mm f1.4 does not, even wide open, and the Voightlander 24 f.95 does not either. I think this has to do with non reflective coatings present on more modern lenses. Older lenses were not coated as well.

A similar issue reared it's head in the the photography world in the early 2000s with the wide acceptance of dSLRs. It's often caused by the rear element of the lens being flat, & light bouncing off the sensors, then back off the rear lens element.

Whether this is your problem I don't know, as some fast lenses just glow at their max aperture, irregardless of whether their used with sensors, or film.

 

[joesiv]

It shouldn't be any different on a DSLR. Perhaps picture setting on the SLR are masking the low contrast of the lens when wide open. What adapter are you using on the af100? Perhaps there is some like leakage?

If you're comparing to an full frame dslr like the D700/D3/D3s, then there certainly would be a significant differnce since the sensor is much bigger. This makes these types of issues much more minor, or even unnoticable. The pixels are more densely packed on the micro four thirds sensor so any optical issue is magnified. I even notice the difference going from APS-C to FF.

 

[Oliver Rush]

When I use my Nikon 35mm 1.4 & 50mm 1.4 the image looks really diffused and the highlights flare. It doesn't look overexposed, the image just looks glowing in a way. It looks cool sometimes but I don't need that all the time. Has anyone else experienced this or know th reasoning?

When I go to 1.8 or 2 it goes away.

That is known as Coma, and it is common on fast large aperture lenses. I try not to shoot my 1.4 nikkors anymore open then f/2 if I can avoid it. You don't lose much DOF and the image quality greatly improves. Lenses don't function best at their widest aperature nor are they designed to (with a few exceptions, like the 58mm f/1.2 Nikkor NOCT for instance). Anyway, treat the nikkors as an f/2 lens, and you will be happy. (I find most of my 2.8 nikon primes to be acceptable wide open, but they are also 2 stops slower than the 1.4's.)

 

[Cosimo Bullo]

Try a leica 1.4 and your wide open problem will go away- as well as your savings account stash ; )

Like!

 

[BrandonT]

Yes, I have the Nikon 50mm 1.4D (manual iris) for my GH2. I've been a bit disappointed because of it. The bokeh is completely round at 1.4, but has hard edges once it is stopped down. I'm still within my return window, but I guess there's nothing else that will be better in this price range, eh?

 

[Steve R]

If he's got a 35mm 1.4 - then it's an older lens (like an AI or AIS) - since Nikon subsequently moved ot 28mm and 24mm for fast 1.4 lenses in later generations (and word is they are great wide open). So yeah, it may be the coating issue a few have talked about above.

 

[sunny_j]

i have the same issue as you. its mostly noticeable on the outside shots for me.

 

[ScottNelson]

I've had the same problem with both Nikon and CanonFD f1.4 lenses and now just add enough ND to shoot @ 2.0. Here's a recent outside shot with a 50mm FD shot @ 2.0 and an inside shot with the same lens @ 2.0. It definitely looks better than wide open.