Nikon D vs G Lenses
Nikon is one of the most trusted names when it comes to photography. They produce some of the best DSLR cameras available today. But as important as the cameras, are the lenses that you use with them. Among the many types of Nikon lenses are the D and G lenses. The main difference between the D and G lenses are their ages. The D lenses are the older lenses that were created for SLR cameras that do not have certain features. The G lenses were created to compliment more modern SLR cameras that have more advanced features.
The feature that G lenses complement is the ability of the camera to dictate the aperture. Cameras that were meant to accept D lenses do not have this ability and relies on the manual manipulation of the lens to achieve the correct focus. To lessen the impact of new technologies to photographers, Nikon implemented backwards compatibility with their cameras and lenses. You can still use your older D lenses on cameras that are meant to use G lenses. But even if you have a modern camera, you will still need to manually set the focus if you use the older D lenses. This is because the D lenses do not have the mechanisms needed by the camera to change the aperture.
In order to focus D lenses, they have a focus ring that can be manipulated just like the zoom; you change the aperture by rotating the ring around the lenses. G lenses do not have a focus ring as there is really no need for it anymore.
Although D lenses are older and less convenient than the more modern G lenses, some people still like to use them once in a while. The D lenses can be used to create old style effects by the manipulation of the focus ring to achieve photos that are not totally in focus. There is really no point in getting D lenses if you have the choice. But if you already have them, you can still use your D lenses with your modern cameras that are equipped with G lenses.
Summary:
- Nikon D lenses are older than the G lenses
- Nikon D lenses cannot be focused automatically while the G lenses can
- Nikon D lenses have a focus ring while G lenses do not
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Is this article a joke? G lenses do not have a focus ring as there is really no need for it anymore? [sic] D only have manual aperture control?
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My Nikon dx lenses (zoom) have an auto and manual setting . In the M setting I have to twist the FOCAL RING to get-er in focus…..just sayin
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I’m not new to photography, but am fairly new to digital photography. I read this article as I’ve been offered a Nikon D lens secondhand. I read the article with the difference between the Nikon D and G lenses. Then I realised I already own a secondhand 300mm D lens that auto focuses great and has full automatic aperture setting too when I select shutter priority. So these facts seem to disagree with what your saying in your article.
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I’ve been a Nikon user since they came out with their Fotomic F somewhere in 1968/1970, so I’m not new to Nikon camera/lenses. I have the ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 D and it will auto focus . It can be switched to Manual focus, but it also Auto Focus. The Nikon G lenses are the newer kind, the Nikon D lenses are the previous that Nikon had on the market. I disagree with this article, it’s confusing the issue why Nikon came out with the G series of lenses.
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What are the various letter designations?
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