Monday, 18 December 2017

The Value of Cheap - part 2: Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8 D

Cost: free ($132 new at B&H)


OK, I was very lucky here. My wife has used this lens for years as a semi-professional photographer on her Nikon D800. One day, the auto focus started failing, and due to the low cost for new, she decided to replace the lens instead of send it for repair, and hand the old lens to me. As the lens would only work manual on my camera, it was a great fit! This is one very nice lens.

Although it is also a lens in the budget friendly AF D series, it is much better build then the previously reviewed AF D zoom lens. It feels more dense, well constructed, but still a very light weight, small profile, lens. Focus and aperture rings work well, although not as smooth as some older lenses in the good old days. The aperture ring has a loud click, making this lens unsuitable for professional video.

Image quality is unchallenged. Some regard this lens as one of the sharpest lenses ever made by Nikon. For sure sharper than current, much more expensive (think < $2000) zoom lenses. Colors are great, good contrast and almost no distortion or color fringing. There is a reason that many professional photographers use this lens as one of their default lens, especially for low light photography.

Due to the quality, this lens is still manufactured and sold by Nikon. Yes, you can opt for a more expensive "G" quality lens, but your results will not be better. Maybe smoother handling, weather proofing, but in most cases, you save your dollars and by another lens in addition.

So, the value of cheap? In this case, very high, even if you have to pay full price. This lens will for sure go in "will use again' drawer. Hopefully soon!

Lens Specification:
Focal Length: 50mm
Maximum Aperture: F1.8
Minimum Aperture: F22
Image Format: 35mm
Lens Mount: NF
Optics:6 elements in 5 groups
Blades: 7
Focussing: Manual and Auto Focus on suitable camera
Minimum Focus: 45cm
Filter Size: 52mm
Weight: 157g
Length: 39mm
Production: 2007-now
Serial Number: 2692060
Made in: China

More information on Nikon Corporation

Samples:Taken with Viltrox NF to E-Mount Focal Reducer

1/40 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

13/10 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

3 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

8 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

8 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

8/5 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

6 sec - ISO100 - Tripod


13/10 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

13 sec - ISO100 - Tripod

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld

1/100 sec - ISO200 - Handheld
Sources:

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4 comments:

  1. Unknown5 June 2018 at 08:49

    have you tried the Viltrox NF-E1 smart adapter? As i see you use the Viltrox normal adapter. Theoretically, you could get aperture control if Viltrox are smart enough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. didekeer21 July 2018 at 06:03

      I have smart adapter without speed booster, so depending on what I need, I choose my adapter. In this case, I preferred the Speed Booster. But yes, aperture can be set with the smart adapter. But as the lens has an aperture ring, it's almost as easy...

      Delete
  2. Unknown14 December 2018 at 12:58

    i cant understand how the "autofocus starting fail" .
    This lens has not autofocous motor and uses the camera motor.

    ReplyDelete
  3. didekeer14 December 2018 at 16:29

    Not sure what the cause was of the failure. A new copy of this lens, also used on the D800, did not have the problem, so likely that it was not the motor in the camera but something with the lens. As replacement was so cheap, we did not bring it to the store for diagnosis.

    ReplyDelete

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