Great depth-of-field control with down to f/22 of f/stops
It is among Nikon's sharpest lenses ever. On many of the Nikon bodies we tested it on it was sharp and contrasty in the center at every aperture.It also focused very fast on all the bodies we tested it on, this you would expect on a f1.8 lens.
The only difference between this and the 50mm f/1.4 D and 50mm f/1.2 AI-s
is that the faster lenses become sharper at f/2, but all are the same
by f/4.
(Note)
This lens will not autofocus on the D40 or D40x.
Filter Threads: Plastic.
External Barrel: Plastic.
Focus Ring: Rubber-covered plastic.
Aperture Ring: Plastic.
Markings: Paint.
Lens Mount: Metal.
Internals: Seem like metal.
Noises when Shaken: Minor clicking (diaphragm blades).
Serial Number: Printed on a label which is glued into a recess on the bottom of the barrel.
Best lens that any photographer should have!, Wednesday, 01 July 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I had just gotten into photography, my Nikon D90 is the first DSLR I have ever owned, and this is my first lens I purchased; although I have used a variety of other lenses including the 85mm, 105mm, and the 135mm. Maybe I am new to photography, but I find the 50mm easiest to use. I say this because I was used to my point and shoot, where I see an object, I can just bring the camera up to my eyes and take a picture. With the longer focal length lenses, I had to move much farther away. I know the "pros" reading this must be cringing, thinking that I should know which lens to use depending on how far away the object I'm trying to shoot is. Since I am just getting started, I am still trying to learn. I believe the 50mm is the same focal length as our eyes, so it is far more intuitive for a beginner like me. Since this lens is f/1.8, I can take some great sharp images even in a dark room, which I am very pleased with. For the price, this is the best lens anyone can get, and is a must for all beginners like myself to learn what type of photos you are most interested in, then buy more expensive lenses that will suit your needs. In the beginning, I was deciding between this lens and the 1.4G, but I eventually decided on this one because of the price, since I eventually plan to buy the Nikon 105mm micro lens. I have never tried the f1.4 lens, so I cannot make a comparison, but I am 100% happy with my choice because I have gotten some great pictures in the worst light conditions that I would ever take photos in. Since this is a small and light lens, there is really no need for VR. I have naturally shaky hands, but due to the aperture and the D90's wonderful low noise level even at iso 3200, I have still been able to keep the exposure fast enough to create sharp images. I think this lens is perfectly fine for taking no-flash images under museum lighting. So go out and get yourself this lens!! Plus, I heard all Nikon products will have a price increase of 2% or something by early next year, so I encourage you act fast :)
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Sweet lens. Doesn't work well with d40 but rocks o, Friday, 26 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Doesn't autofocus on d40 or d40x but all other cameras for nikon it works with. A must have in ur bag if you are a serious photographer. I don't go anywhere without it. Ideal for portraits and low light settings.
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Cheap and best, Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens has no match for its price. This is a great lens for indoor and portraits.
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great fast clear lense, Monday, 22 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Just got mine today and i love it. Took some self potraits and they are so clear. It came so fast in the mail also which is nice. Great lense. Get one. : )
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I don't think this needs another 5 star review.., Monday, 22 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
It's everything it's put out to be. The only thing I can complain about is that, replacing my 50mm 1.8 E series, it's made in china, plastic, and not as withdrawn as the E series. But most consumer lenses are.
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Awesome Lens, Saturday, 20 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
There are no words to describe how awesome this lens is. I personally recommend everyone have one, no matter what other lenses they have, period. The optics of a prime lens are automatically superior to a zoom lens, and boy does it show in this product. It's a very fast lens, with very nice optics, at a decent focal length, for a GREAT price - what more could you ask for?
I should also mention that it is very well built and very sturdy with a metal contact mount. You can FEEL how quality this lens versus newer VR lenses made of plastic. It also has an aperture ring and distance scales, very cool indeed.
Word of caution: Because this lens is not AF-S (to reduce cost) it will not autofocus on a Nikon D40 or (I think) a D60. The VR version is several hundred dollars more, which sucks, so I would personally recommend you get this lens anyway and just deal with having to manual focus all the time. That's your problem for being short sighted and not buying a camera with a motor I guess.
Bottom Line: Buy this lens. You won't regret it.
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A Must Have Lens!, Saturday, 20 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens was recommended to me by another photographer. I must say for it's value it is a wonderful lens. It takes very nice portraits and works wonders in natural lighting. I would say this is a must have for all photographers. It is a basic and versatile lens and the price can't be beat!
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cheap way to improve your photo skills, Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is a no brainer for any Nikon user. This is a great cheap lens, virtually free of distortion, very sharp and faster than any zoom lens that you may have. It also forces you to "use your feet to zoom", a technique that we all grew up with before the popularity of standard Zoom lenses. Its small and light and can be carried in a pocket very easily. And its cheap!!!
On a dSLR it becomes a 75mm lens that is ideal for portraiture. The 1.8 aperture effectively isolates the subject while at the same time allowing the use of a lower ISO.
Negatives: the plasticky build, and the older screw drive AF which causes the focusing ring to move. Also the lens does not work (AF) on the newer cheapo cameras.
But for me on my D200 this is a great lens!
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Good lens for the money!, Monday, 15 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
the lens is awesome! it's a must have for any photographer. i've taken really good pictures with this lens in low-light conditions. the only thing it's missing is VR but you can live without it!
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great lens for less, Sunday, 07 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
one of the sharpest lens i have worked with. Great for lowlight conditions. less price.
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great little lens, Friday, 05 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Right away I was amazed by the shots you can get with this little lens..well worth the small price too !
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I'm in luuuuurve., Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens was quite an epiphany for me. I'd stuck it out with the kit lens that came with my D40 during an extended period of poverty, but decided to splash out when it was $99. I suddenly realized what 'tack sharp' means, and suddenly realized too what you can do with colours well before you even think about firing up Photoshop.
I've since graduated to a D90, and the autofocus is like a ludicrously generous bonus. Evidently, good things come in small packages.
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Affordable secret weapon for great low-light, indo, Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
For indoor, low-light pictures, this lens is wonderful. I generally shoot it wide open (f/1.8) on aperture priority and Auto ISO on my D70. I shoot a lot of pictures in my church's basement (I work with our youth group). This lens makes pictures there that my 18-70 kit lens simply can't get, because this lens lets in more than six times as much light. (4.5/1.8 = 2.5, squared = 6.25). In a low-light situation where the kit zoom will only shoot at 1/8 second, this 50mm will shoot at 1/50th. That's the difference between a sharp picture and a blurry one, if you're shooting handheld. I haven't done any quantitative sharpness testing vs. my other lenses, but I'll just say that I get a higher percentage of indoor 'keepers' with this lens.
If you're new to DSLRs, you might be hesitant to try a fixed-focal-length ("prime") lens. Don't be. Your legs work great as a very cost-effective zoom mechanism, and you'd have to pay a lot more for a zoom lens that is fast enough to be sharp in the situations where this simple inexpensive lens excels. On a DX-format camera (i.e. most Nikon DSLRs), the effective focal length of this lens is about 75mm...perfect for portraits and very useful when shooting people indoors.
One important caveat: this lens will not autofocus on a D40, D40x, or D60. It would still be a great lens on those cameras, but focusing manually only. If you want a fast prime that autofocuses on the D40/40x/60, you'll want an AF-S lens, probably either the 35mm 1.8 or the 50mm 1.4.
Last thing: unless you really know what you're doing, your indoor flash photography probably looks lousy. Mine does. Lose the flash and get fast glass!
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Superb Lens especially in DSLR with built-in AF, Monday, 25 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens rocks! As an amateur / Hobbyist D60 user. It's really hard to adjust when you're get used to kit lenses with AF. Another thing... Using No Built in AF camera and aiming it in dark areas - focusing is really hard. This lens doesn't AF in D40/x, D60. But the good thing is that you can used it to high end camera to use / maximize its (AF feature) power as you go pro. The bokeh it produces is really cool!
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ONLY setback...no autofocus on the D40/D60, Sunday, 24 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
The manual focus makes this lens *slightly* more difficult to use for amateurs, but besides from that, it is a must have for every camera bag!
