Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

The Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is definitely an affordable prime lens for Nikon's selection of Forex and DX format DSLRs, so that as an AF-S model, it'll autofocus on any Nikon body.

Introduced in April 2011, the AF-S 50mm f1.8G may be the successor towards the ageing, but nonetheless popular AF 50mm f/1.8D. It is the first refurbished f/1.8 prime lens for Forex physiques sporting AF-S in Nikon's current range, using the 85/1.8D and 35/2.0D still waiting for an update. Which is sorely needed because the top-of-the-line f/1.4 primes that Nikon up-to-date this past year are pretty costly - the only real exception being the 50mm f/1.4G. So it will likely be interesting to determine the way the new 1.8G lens works against it's bigger and more expensive cousin.

The 50mm focal length has lengthy been considered 'normal' on full-frame / Forex format physiques, delivering a reproduction that's similar to the thought of the human eye alone. Installed on a popped-frame / DX-format body, 50mm becomes equal to 75mm and therefore turns into a prime candidate for portrait-photography as it offers a superior far out of your subject which results in a flattering perspective. It could be also healthier for portraiture in small galleries on the DX-body than the usual 85mm prime because it renders a bigger frame from the given distance. Within this review I'll take a look at Nikon's latest 50mm prime, and discover whether or not this provides a great cost / performance ratio.

Weighing only 185g, this lens can be quite lightweight and really should not be an excessive amount of an encumbrance to stow inside a package bag until needed consequently. Regardless of the lightweight, the quality hasn't experienced. The lens mount is built from metal, with a rubber gasket to help keep dust and moisturise from engaging in your camera, even though the relaxation from the lens will not make any promises about weather sealing. The relaxation from the lens body is made of top quality plastics having a matt textured finish. Because of the sunshine weight little size, it balances well around the Nikon D700 employed for testing, creating a compact, travel-friendly combination.

Even though the lens doesn't employ an interior focus design, it doesn't extend throughout focusing, with all of movement backwards and forwards stored within the lens barrel. This design does mean the leading filter thread doesn't rotate, making this optic ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters through the 52mm filter ring.

Focus speeds are reasonably fast and manual changes can be created anytime, because of the quiet wave focusing motor. The narrow manual focusing ring is well damped, which makes it a pleasure to make use of when focusing by hand. An emphasis distance window with hyperfocal markings for f/16 is supplied. Although these markings really are a welcome addition for hyperfocal shooting, they're not far from the focused distance marking, which makes them hard to use effectively.

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