Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 (non D) Review

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Introduction

The 50mm was the standard lens that came with camera bodies, un till the 1980`s when zoom lenses took over the market.The 50mm lens is said to be the lens that comes closest to the human eye`s perception of distance and depth, Thus labeled as a "normal" lens.This does not apply to a aps-c type camera tough, like nikons digital SLR`s. On a DX sized DSLR the lens becomes a AF 75mm f/1.8, which is more of a portrait lens then a all round lens like the 50mm. To get a equivalent 50mm in digital, you got 2 choices, a 35mm or a 28mm, which translates into 52.5mm and 42mm. The AF 50mm f/1.8 is the cheapest of the"good" lenses. There are a couple of cheaper lenses in Nikons lineup. But those are not worth the money or the mentioning at all.

Specifications

Lens Construction: 6 Elements in 5 groups

Picture Angle: 46 degrees (35mm format), 31 degrees 30 minutes (Nikon DX format)

Filter Size: 52mm

Nikon Lens Hood: HR-2 Rubber hood

Included Accessories: 52mm Lens cap, Rear cap

Size and weight: 2.6"x1.7", (65mmx43mm). 5oz, (155g)

Diaphragm: 7 bladed, with straight blades

price from: $ Discontinued

Manufacturers web site: http://www.nikon.com/

Positives

• Sharp. This lens really performs well
• Cheap. Good lenses can be cheap, after all.
• Light weight

Drawbacks

• Plastic. 155 grams of plastic @ you`r fingertips
• Not a "normal" lens on a Nikon DX sized DSLR
• IR performance, usable to f/8, after that the lens Hot-spots badly

Verdict

One of the "cheap" Nikkor's you`d want to own. It might be cheap, but the performance of it, is far from cheap. Sharp and crisp, would describe the lens better. This non "D" version is actually sharper then the "D" version i tried first. Overall the performance of this lens says, buy one, you won`t be disappointed.

Nikon D200, 50mm f/1.8 @ f/11, 1/60 sec

crop @ 100 %

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