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Chromatic aberration, comes with old age?


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2 replies to this topic

#1
Elinb

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I just got a secondhand 50mm 1.4 Nikon lens, and trying it out for a week before deciding. I have used the 50mm 1.8 for years (on my d3100) and it’s only in the later years I’ve noticed the outlines.
 
My question is: do these outlines indicate a well used lens?
 
I’d like to think so, it just makes sense… but of course there are other factors… but those are not really negotiable. 
 
My main lens is going to be a 85mm 1.4 so this 50mm is more like a home-family-tight spaces kind of lens. I’ve tried it and it has no issues with chromatic aberrations. 
 
I remember when I got my 50mm 1.8 it was so effin sharp. This 1.4 is sharp but struggles somewhat when overexposed, and it’s just a bit cringey… my 1.8 did not struggle when overexposed not until I hade shot with it for many years… 
 
let me know what you think, is chromatic aberration a sign of old age(well used)?



#2
Brian

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Sometimes an older lens build up haze- that can cause an outline.

 

Chromatic aberration is a fundamental property of the lens, and does not change with age. Things that can change: cement used for the optics can yellow, glass that uses radioactive dopants can yellow. The 50/1.4 does not use radioactive glass.



#3
Merco_61

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What versions are the 50/1.4 and 50/1.8 lenses you are talking about? 

 

As Brian said, aging doesn't introduce any new CA. However, a camera with a higher resolution sensor and a weaker low-pass filter can reveal CA that was masked by the sensor limitations of an older body. The typical LOCA of both AF-S 50-s doesn't show much on a DX sensor, but the D850 sensor will reveal both LOCA and coma that earlier and/or lesser bodies hid.