How to tell an e series 50mm f1.8 ?

I recently obtained a 50mm f1.8 with a camera. It is different to the

50mm F1.8 that I have and I assume that it is the 'e' version but how

do I tell ? I thought that 'e' version lenses always had it written

on the lens front. This one just says 50mm F1.8 nikkor, is about 1/2

the size of the 50 1.8 AIS I already have and is very light. It has

no rabbits ears and is AIS.

 

Many thanks

 

Dave

See <a href="http://home.aut.ac.nz/staff/rvink/nikon.html">

Roland Vink's Nikon Lens Specifications page</a> for

photos and descriptions of a wide variety of Nikon lenses.

That page has photos of nine different 50mm f1.8 lens variations;

you can compare and see which one yours most closely matches.

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My guess is you've got an AIS version S or N, because the

series E versions will say "Series E" around the front.

Nikon sold a 50mm f1.8 that was an "E" series clone,but wasnt marked "E".In most people's opinion these & the "E" 50mm f1.8's were crap.The heavier version you already own is the better of the two f1.8's.

The last of the 50/1.8 lenses (serial no. starts with a 4) have the same optics as the rest, including the AF ones. They also have the best anti-reflection coating of any of the MF 50/1.8's. They may not feel as nice as the older ones, but they work at least as well and are far from crap. Even the E Series lens is very good.

What you have is an "n" or "s" version, as suggested already. This is the "E" lens design in a beefier "AIS" body...minus the rabbit ears. The elements also have better coating.

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It's far from crap...in fact it's an excellent lens. Hang on to it. Although they sell for a bargin price on E-bay, they are few are far between.

Many thanks for your quick answers. I hadnt thought of looking on Roland Vink's page. The lens focusses to 0.6m which makes it the 50 F1.8 N specification. Although light it has a substantial feel to it.

 

Thanks again

 

Dave

<<Nikon sold a 50mm f1.8 that was an "E" series clone,but wasnt marked "E".In most people's opinion these & the "E" 50mm f1.8's were crap.>>

 

Really?

 

You know the current 50mm f/1.8 AF-D that everyone recommends (correctly) as an excellent, ultrasharp, inexpensive lens that everybody should have in their camera bags? Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone about its optical formula, which dates back to the (gasp! splutter!) Series E.

 

The manual focus, AIS-era 50mm f/1.8 and f/1.4 also are terrific, and do have a sturdier build and that classic Nikkor velvet focusing touch. No reason to shun them. But the cheaper-in-its-heyday Series E lens is also just fine.

 

I do think the "Nikon Series E" printing on the front ring is the dead giveaway that answers the original question. Other lenses under the Nikkor name feature the optical formula, but the true "Series E" lens doesn't hide its heritage, it wears the name prominently.

 

Have fun,

the series e lenses (at least the couple that i own) say nikon rather than nikkor