Of course, two disadvantages are compared to the top model 1.4G:
- Less light and thus a slower shutter speed / higher ISO at all apertures (Transmission slightly worse)
- The build quality is not particularly. For this price you can indeed expect professional quality, but not so loose-fitting lens hood, I would have been desired.
Overall, one can say:
- Very much sharpness at maximum aperture. At 2.8 razor sharp even in high pixel density.
- Light focus shift when stopping down (as with all high-aperture lenses when used no Live View Focus)
- Moderate tendency to CAs (as with all fast lenses). Caution: Longitudonale CAs (perpendicular to the focal plane) can not be easily corrected automatically. So you better pay attention to high-contrast scenes, or when photographing something Fade Out.
- Wonderful Bokeh (comparable to 1.4G in the range between 1.8 and 2.8). The seven rounded diaphragm blades are up 2.8 really about. Therefore, I can not see any difference to 1.4G in Bokeh here also. From f / 4 is out of the circle, a polygon, and the slats 9 of 1.4G make a nicer bokeh.
- Very light and of course, no VR.
I do not regret the purchase and can only recommend this lens. It is one of the sharpest lenses that Nikon has ever built.
