AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D - the later version of one of the first AF lenses

<p><strong>AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D</strong><br>

<em>Kadlubek Objektive-Katalog NIK5140</em><br /><br />2002<br /><br /><br />I don't quite know where to put this one. It was released in February, 2002, when the current model Nikon camera bodies were the F5 and the F100 and the F80/N80. Another current model was the Nikon D100 digital camera, but I think the 2002 date and the still-common film shooting at that time justifies posting this short review here, rather than in the Nikon forum. Anyhow, everybody in the Nikon forum already knows about this lens and probably has one or two in their kit. I got mine from KEH for about 3/4 of the new price.<br>

This lens is still current and usable on all modern Nikon cameras. However, there is no AF on the models without "screw" focus. Nikon site's reviewers give it a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Mine is just marked "Japan", but some reviewers assume that like its non-D predecessor, it was made in China.<br /><br />This is very much the Nikon equivalent of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - AKA "the nifty fifty" or the "plastic fantastic". Popular Photography ( http://www.popphoto.com/buying-guide/lens/nikon-af-s-nikkor-50mm-f18 ) even calls it "Nikon's Nifty Fifty".</p><div></div>

<p>Reviews of this lens are widely available. Here are some high points and the sources.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/217-nikkor-af-50mm-f18-d-review--test-report">http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/217-nikkor-af-50mm-f18-d-review--test-report</a> - a review of the lens on an APS-C = "DX" body":</p>

 

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<p><br />The Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 D is a low profile lens with less sex-appeal than the big glass but it is an interesting lens nonetheless. At wide-open aperture it is a little soft at the image borders and the contrast level is a little on the low side. However, at medium aperture settings the resolution figures are exceptionally high and surely a benchmark to beat. Distortions are negligible and vignetting is very well controlled. The build quality of the lens is very decent and the AF performance leaves nothing to be desired.</p>

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<p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.photozone.de/nikon_ff/623-nikkorafd5018ff">http://www.photozone.de/nikon_ff/623-nikkorafd5018ff</a> - a review on a Nikon 35mm-sensor camera ="FX"</p>

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<p><br /><br />The Nikkor is indeed a typical fast normal prime: small and light-weight, affordable and, yes, bitingly sharp, at least stopped down. Wide open, the lens lacks both contrast and sharpness, especially towards the borders and corners.<br /><br />Typical for a fast prime there is some vignetting wide open as well as bokeh fringing. CAs are moderate and distortion actually very well controlled though. The lens' main weakness is its bokeh which is somewhat unpleasant.</p>

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<p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html">http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html</a> says</p>

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<p><br />The modern, plasticky and cheap-looking AF 50/1.8 ("Made in China") also gives excellent central image sharpness, but not so set wide open, you need to go to f/2.8. Field curvature is more prominent on this version and the corner performance a little less convincing than with the MF model, but when you factor its low price into the equation, you do get a lot more quality than you have bargained for.</p>

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<p><br />There is other discussion at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_AF_Nikkor_50_mm_f/1.8D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_AF_Nikkor_50_mm_f/1.8D </a><br /><br /></p>

<p>By the way, there seems to be no dedicated hood for this lens, and a screw-in rubber hood (HR-2) is offered by Nikon. Similar and slightly cheaper alternatives are legion.<br /><br /><br />The lens,like so many other classic lenses, is basically a double Gauss [ http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html , http://www.photoblogs.com/gear/nikon-50-mm-f-1-8d-af-nikkor ].<br>

Somehow, this one reminds me of the Zeiss Jena Biotar, but I have been assured that this is just coincidence, as are all the other post-war double Gauss lenses.~ After all, there were double Gausses before the war, weren't there?<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>Here are a few images taken with the lens on a Nikon N2020 (=F501, 1986) since I was having some problems with a sticky focus screwdriver on my newer Nikon AF camera. This is not the best AF, but it was the first, essentially.<br /><br />All images are on Walgreens version of Fuji 200.<br>

<br />First, the ever-present (in my photographs, that is) Campus Lake.</p><div></div>

<p>Here is proof, if it were needed, that Southern (note the capital S) Illinois is in the Gulf Coastal Plain. This is a young cypress tree. Many of the older ones have well developed "cypress knees", but that is another story.<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>Finally, a couple of images illustrating the "bokeh" capabilities of the lens. Many reviewers including one quoted above, have found it "nervous", but I don't see that. Of course, you have to remember that I am very tolerant, even of mirror lens donuts, so you can judge for yourself.</p><div></div>

<p>That's it, folks.<br>

Like its Canon equivalent, the lens is actually slightly better used on APS-C bodies, where some of the vignetting and other problems are cropped out. I think it's pretty darn good for a lens that sells for under US $100, most of the time.<br>

<br /><br />I am currently looking for a later model film body to use this and my AF Nikkor 35-80mm lens on. If I am successful, I will be baack.</p>

<p>Great review, I use a HN-21 for a lens hood.</p>

<p>I've had the 50/1.8D AF Nikkor for several years and while it's a good lens I don't use it often. The reviews by photozone and Bjorn describe it perfectly so I don't need to add to or contradict anything they've written.</p>

<p>Generally I prefer the pleasant softness of the 50/2 AI Nikkor wide open over the 50/1.8D AF wide open. Bokeh is comparable with the two - generally neutral but nothing special. The 50/2 AI tends to show more nisen-bokeh with hard edges.</p>

<p>While the low cost of the 50/1.8D makes it an excellent value, it's turned out to be a neither fish nor fowl lens for me. I'd need an f/1.4 or f/1.2 50mm to make a significant difference with my pushed b&w film and Nikon D2H, which is generally too noisy above ISO 1600 for conventional aesthetics.</p>

<p>I end up using the 18-70 DX more often with the D2H and 35-70/2.8D AF Nikkor more often with my film Nikons. Both zooms offer comparable sharpness stopped down to make the 50/1.8 redundant for me. I'd need a significantly faster 50 to make it useful for my purposes.</p>

<p>The front element is deeply recessed enough to make a lens hood unnecessary for most situations. Same with the 50/2 AI and 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor. I usually keep a short threaded 52mm plastic hood in my bag but seldom use it.</p>

<p>BTW, only pagan Canonites call it a "nifty fifty". No self respecting Nikonista would use such a fey term.</p>

<p>Nicely done.</p>

<p>I used to have one of these. I gave it up when I got the 1.8G, though - the G's bokeh is less nervous and it gives better contrast wide open, and I do like using these wide open.</p>

<p>I've owned the earlier non-D AF Nikon 50 f1.8 for a number of years. Mine seems to have lots of debris stuck between its elements; how it got there is anybody's guess. I only paid $45 for it from someone in a tiny used camera shop near Scranton, PA who was just dying to get it off the N8008 sitting in his truck, but that was at least 11 years ago. <br /> The funny thing is, even with all that debris, I've gotten much better results from this lens than I ever did with Canon's equivalent EF 50 f1.8, with all my prints and slides appearing quite a bit more colorful, with higher contrast and sharpness as well.<br /> <br /> I often toy with the idea of upgrading to the Nikon 50 f1.4 D, but given the increased cost and the great output of this old little lens, I am never able to justify it.<br /> Besides, it is a more historically accurate accompaniment to my Nikon N8008s, and looks just about nearly as cool attached to my F100 and N90s bodies.<br /> For reference, I have also used the Canon EF 50 1.4 with an EOS-1, 1v, 3, and A2e; and at many times the price, I fail to see a massive improvement in the quality of the photos obtained by the latter.</p>

<p>I've bought two of these lenses and broke both of them quickly. I'm not that tough on my equipment, so the lens is apparently a fragile design. Fast focusing, though, when it's intact. </p>