Home   New   Search   Gallery   How-To   Books   Links   Workshops   About   Contact

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AI
© 2004 KenRockwell.com

Please help KenRockwell..com

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AI

Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1/8 AI. enlarge. I'd look for it used here; it helps me keep adding to this site if you use that link if you get yours there, too. Thanks! Ken.

Introduction

Ritz Camera

adorama

I personally buy from Ritz, Adorama and Amazon. I can't vouch for ads below.

 

This lens was standard with most Nikon cameras in the 1970s. There are no sharper lenses made, and today you can buy these for next to nothing since most people seem to prefer slower, fuzzier zooms. It has less distortion than the f/1.4 version.

Personally I don't like the 50mm focal length except for family photos. I use a 35mm as my "standard" lens, and an 85mm as a short tele. I no longer even own any 50mm lenses, and because many people don't, either, you can have these just about for free.

 

Specifications

It takes standard 52mm filters.

It has a seven-bladed diaphragm that stops down to f/22.

It has six elements in five groups.

 

Performance

It is very, very well made.

It has no distortion, unlike the f/1.4 version.

It is pretty good at f/1.8, much better than the f/1.4 lens is at f/1.4.

By f/2.8 the image quality is just about perfect.

This lens has just about the best performance you can get for your Nikon.

 

Recommendations

Personally, even a stick-in-the-mud like myself has given into the convenience of zooms, and finds the 15 year old 28-85 f/3.5-4.5 AF lens just as sharp, and free from distortion at the 50mm setting.

Because few people want these lenses today you can pick them up for about $20, making them one of the best deals in photography. They are very, very fine lenses.

PLUG

I support my growing family through this website.

If you find this as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.

If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!

If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.

It also helps me keep adding to this site when you get your goodies through these links to Adorama, Amazon, B&H, Ritz, and J&R. I use them and recommend them all personally.

Thanks for reading!

Ken

Home   New   Search   Gallery   How-To   Books   Links   Workshops   About   Contact