NIKON AF-S Nikkor 50mm f / 1.8G Lens

Product Information

The Nikon 50mm f/1.4G replaces the older Nikon 50mm f/1.4D model (introduced in 1986). Compared to the AF-D version that has 7 optical elements in 6 groups, the new 50mm f/1.4G has a completely different optical design with 8 optical elements in 7 groups. Thanks to this new optical design, the front element of the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G does not extend or rotate, making it easy to use circular filters. The lens autofocus motor has also been replaced with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM / AF-S), making it possible to use the lens on entry-level Nikon DSLRs like Nikon D3100, in addition to being able to manually override focus at any time. With macro distances, even with the limiter turned on, the focus was more slide-to-focus than snap-to-focus. I again wouldn't call it fast or slow, just a noticeable slide. While the lens isn't an S lens, it is weather sealed with gaskets at at least seven critical positions (though it doesn't have the additional rubber flap on the lens mount that some Nikkors do, just a plastic overlap).

B.t.w.: The 50/1.8G shows some small changes in design. The mounting index on the lens is now a small protruding white knob which is easy to feel when attaching the lens to the body. And there is the lens’ designation in the front of the barrel just behind the filter-thread. Motivation With an array of exotic glasses and coatings, it’s designed for use on the latest high-resolution DSLRs such as the 45.7MP Nikon D850. It can also be used with DX-format cameras, giving a 36-105mm equivalent range. After I performed the AF tests against the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G, I then mounted the older AF-D version on the second body and performed the same tests. Since all of the new AF-S primes I have tested so far autofocus slower than their AF-D counterparts, I assumed that the 50mm f/1.8D would focus a little faster. I was wrong – autofocus speed on both lenses turned out to be the same. AF accuracy is very similar as well, but the 50mm f/1.8D is much noisier.

A compact new 1.0x macro lens for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras, and it makes a great everyday standard prime!

The Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is an affordable prime lens for Nikon’s range of FX and DX format DSLRs, and as an AF-S model, it’ll autofocus on any Nikon body.

We should also mention the Vibration Reduction (VR) functionality, which really does work well in low light. Much slower shutter speeds than normal still produce sharp pictures, which makes this lens an ideal all-in-one, carry-everywhere choice. Build quality feels superb, although there are no weather-seals and the focus ring doesn’t quite have the tactile fluidity of a lens like the Zeiss Milvus. But you can count on the Sigma’s autofocus system to be fast and accurate.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. The faster lenses also cost two to four times as much and have more distortion.

If you’ve outgrown the 18-55mm kit zoom that came when you bought your camera, this might just be the perfect upgrade. It offers a usefully extended zoom range, from 24mm equivalent wide-angle to 128mm telephoto, while providing a respectable optical performance that’s aided by a fast ultrasonic-type autofocus motor and built-in image stabilisation. Chromatic Aberration: Excellent results, even uncorrected. Virtually no lateral chromatic aberration, and very low longitudinal CA, as well, even at macro distances.

This lens is legendary in landscape photography circles. If you’ve seen any competition shortlists for landscape photography in the past 10 years, then you’ve seen an image taken with it. The lenses on this list aren’t just for DSLRs, however. The best Nikon mirrorless cameras in the Z system have taken centre-stage in recent years, but thanks to Nikon’s FTZ mount adapters, Nikon F lenses can be used on these cameras, too. In most cases, they’ll work with full functionality of autofocus and stabilisation, so owners of mirrorless cameras will also find opportunities for a bargain from our list. It includes a mix of lenses available new, and some that will need to be bought second-hand – a chance to make greater savings. Sometimes only the very best will do, and when it comes to standard zooms on a full-frame Nikon body, this is it. The latest version of Nikon’s pro workhorse lens adds optical image stabilisation and uses an electromagnetic diaphragm, which provides much-improved functionality when shooting in live view, and for video work. The maximum aperture is relatively slow, running from f/3.5 to f/5.6 once you’ve zoomed in. This will be fine for most day-to-day shooting, but you may start to struggle once light levels start to get low – though the aforementioned stabilisation will help by letting you get away with slower shutter speeds to let in more light. This means that neither the original nor D versions of the 50mm f/1.8 lenses work on the entry-level Nikon DSLRs, such as the D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000 and D5100. The fact that the new AF motor is a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) is an added bonus, meaning the new lens should be fast and quiet when focusing – great news for those wishing to shoot video. The optical changes

On many fast primes you can observe contrast becoming lower when closing the aperture, although that should minimize stray-light in the lens. But unfortunately the reflections from the aperture itself cause some veiling glare. All of the resolution chart images were taken on a 24.5-million-pixel Nikon D3X. Whilst the lenses can resolve an almost identical resolution at their optimum aperture, the latest G series lens is slightly sharper when fully open, and shows less chromatic aberrations and coma. However, the other lenses all stop down to f/22, compared just f/16 on the new G series lens Our verdict At maximum aperture, sharpness in the centre of the frame approaches very good levels, but the clarity towards the edges of the frame falls behind somewhat, falling short of fairly good levels. Stopping down improves performance across the frame with outstanding levels of sharpness being achieved in the centre from f/2.8 onwards and peak sharpness across the frame being achieved between f/5.6 and f/8.The 50mm f/1.4 is typical in having a beautifully engineered metal barrel and a full set of weather-seals. The optical design is based on Zeiss’s legendary Distagon principles. The long rotational travel of the focus ring helps focusing precision, and its super-smooth fluidity makes focusing a joy. AF: AF-S with SWM (silent wave motor), so does work on D60/3×00/5×00-bodies, manual-focus override by turning the focus ring [+] Minimum object distance / maximum magnification: At 0.27m (0.9ft.) distance the Z 40mm f2.0 achieves a maximum magnification of 1:5.1 – which is not much and results in a working distance of 0.21m. But the other two Z-Nikkors are not much different at 1:6.0 and 1:4.8 for the Z 50mm f1.8 S and Z 35mm f1.8 S respectively. The Z 40mm f2.0 achieves a magnification of 1:10 at a distance of 0.46m (1.5ft.). [+] This is Nikon's first aspherical 50mm lens. Nikon's only other aspherical normal lens is the 58mm f/1.2 Noct-NIKKOR, which sells used for thousands of dollars. Focus accuracy and repeatability is critical to consistently produce sharp shots. Repeatability (the accuracy of focus on the same subject after repeated focus-acquisition) of the Nikon Z 40mm f2.0 is fair (measured 95.3% in Reikan FoCal) but produced no outliers over a series of 40 shots. There is a bit of focus variation whether the lens focuses from a closer distance or from infinity and I had some cases where the lens refused to focus at all when coming from minimum object distance. The lens focuses in around 0.3 sec on a Nikon Z7 from infinity to 0.46m (1:10 magnification), which is very fast.