Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI - flare prone?

Sanjay Sen · Jan 11, 2009

What is your experience with the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI lens, as far as flaring is concerned? Last weekend I shot a roll of SFX, and looking at the negs I noticed an ugly flare in one of the frames. I understand that this could have been avoided by using a lens hood, but does this lens tend to flare easily? As far as I can remember, this is the first time I had flaring with this lens, and the Sun was not even in the frame - just outside of it when I composed the shot (on a F3, which has 100% viewfinder coverage).

What has been your experience?

Regards,
Sanjay

ken472 · Jan 11, 2009

I guess I've seen this on occasion but I always use a lens hood. I've noticed it more with non-zoom lenses.

Uhner · Jan 11, 2009

Mine is quite resistant to objectionable flare, but I do use a lens hood all the time.

Pinholemaster · Jan 11, 2009

I never use the lens without a lenshood, so I don't know if the lens is flare prone.

donbga · Jan 11, 2009

Sanjay Sen said:
What is your experience with the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI lens, as far as flaring is concerned? Last weekend I shot a roll of SFX, and looking at the negs I noticed an ugly flare in one of the frames. I understand that this could have been avoided by using a lens hood, but does this lens tend to flare easily? As far as I can remember, this is the first time I had flaring with this lens, and the Sun was not even in the frame - just outside of it when I composed the shot (on a F3, which has 100% viewfinder coverage).

What has been your experience?

Regards,
Sanjay

Alwaus use a lenss hood. THe front element of this lens is large and catches flair quite easily.

katphood · Jan 18, 2009

I include the sun in a lot of my photos and am always looking for lenses that can handle it w/o flaring.

You can actually use DOF preview to check for flare. Any flare you see then will probably appear on your negative. Caveat: its not a sure-fire method. There's additional glass when you use DOF preview: mirror, the split prism on some screens, the prism itself, etc. Also, you can't always see all of it. But I've found this to be helpful in eliminating a lot of flare.

jongcelebes · Jan 18, 2009

I'm using UV filter - it may avoid a bit.

Stephanie Brim · Jan 18, 2009

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Shooting into early afternoon sun at f/11 in Ames, Iowa.

I never found it that bad.

PhotoJim · Jan 18, 2009

A UV filter will make it worse. You have two more air-to-glass surfaces to create flare.

Prest_400 · Jan 18, 2009

Stephanie Brim said:
Dead Link Removed

Shooting into early afternoon sun at f/11 in Ames, Iowa.

I never found it that bad.

Not that much flare in your photo, unless you stay looking details or looking for flare you don't notice that easily.
Maybe in color It's seen clearly, since most flare has got that green/magenta color.
Just use a lens hood, not only diminishes flare; If It's a good one, It will protect the lens.

John_Nikon_F · Jan 18, 2009

In my experience with the 50f1.4's, from a Nikkor-S, through the AI versions, they're pretty resistant to flare, when compared to lenses like the 35f2 Nikkor.

-J

nicefor88 · May 3, 2009

I have two 50 f1.4, the S series and the latest AIS, both MF of course, and never experienced flare. Even when having the sun in slightly front of the camera. The hood is the answer, especially with such bright lenses.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI - flare prone?

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