--UPDATED REVIEW--
After a good deal of time using the 50mm f/1.4D, I decided that I wanted to pick up a quieter auto-focus lens so I decided to give the 50mm f/1.8G another shot. I'm pleased to say that the experience has been much better this time around.
On my D810 and D850, it's still not wicked sharp wide open, but few lenses are on those camera. Once I stop down to around f/2.8 or so, it actually gets surprisingly sharp for such a cheap lens. I won't get into color rendition because it seems rather pointless given how much the colors get changed anyway during post-processing. Overall, I find the rendition of the lens to be rather clinical, which is to say that it's seems to focus more on accurately recording the scene in sharp detail rather than imparting "character" as some other lenses tend to do. I find this to be a good thing in a 50mm since the focal length itself tends to be one that most photographers would consider to be the "normal" focal length.
Overall, this lens has been a joy to use this second time around which makes me wonder what was going on with that first copy. Maybe it got knocked around during shipping? I don't know. Either way, after experiencing what this lens is capable of offering, I felt compelled to come and update this review because it really is a great lens for the beginner and enthusiast alike that's offered a very reasonable price.
-- OLD REVIEW --
Given all of the positive reviews, I probably just got a bad copy, but the lens was just unacceptably soft for me which I didn't expect since it flies in the face of most of the reviews I've read about this. As far as I could tell, it wasn't a front or back-focusing issue as micro-adjustments didn't seem to help at all and in order to get my copy as sharp as I wanted, I had to stop it down to f5.6, which just completely defeats the purpose.
Ended up returning it and trying out a 50mm 1.4D which I just decided to stick with. I know I could have exchanged it and it probably would have been fine, but the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.
Aside from my particular issues, I can definitely say that the lens itself felt built pretty well for the price. A lot of people like to cry about how they don't make them like they used to—which usually just means that they don't make them out of metal anymore—but plastics have come a long way over the years and definitely have plenty of benefits. Most of the people that make this complaint just miss that hefty feeling, which is more of an argument of personal preference rather than an argument of the objective merits of the materials used. All materials have their pros and cons, but the materials used to construct this lens seemed more than durable enough while having the benefit of being lightweight.
The autofocus responded quickly and crisply without much hunting at all.
All in all, given the low cost of the lens, it's worth at least trying out. You'll probably have better luck than me.
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This Item  Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -10% $196.95 List: $219.95 | -12% $359.00 New Price: $406.95 | -12% $176.95 List: $199.95 | -9% $1,446.95 Typical: $1,596.95 | -10% $406.95 List: $449.95 | -11% $426.95 List: $479.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | — | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| For portrait photography | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Durability | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Al's Variety | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| lens type | Standard | Standard | Standard | Telephoto | Standard | Telephoto |
| compatible mountings | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (DX) | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (FX) | Nikon F (FX) |
| lens design | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime |
| focus type | Ultrasonic | Ring-type ultrasonic | Ring-type ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ring-type ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| minimum focal length | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
| max focal length | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
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Honest Review: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
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Quick Review of Nikon 50mm Lens and What To Consider
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Reviews with images
If You Like A Blurred Background, BUY!
I decided to buy a Nikon D3300 to revisit my photography urge. I'm so glad I bought this lens to accompany the camera! It's fantastic. The quality is perfect for portraits. Perfect for getting that sharp focus on your desired target! I bought mine "used-very good" and it didn't let me down!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2016
After a good deal of time using the 50mm f/1.4D, I decided that I wanted to pick up a quieter auto-focus lens so I decided to give the 50mm f/1.8G another shot. I'm pleased to say that the experience has been much better this time around.
On my D810 and D850, it's still not wicked sharp wide open, but few lenses are on those camera. Once I stop down to around f/2.8 or so, it actually gets surprisingly sharp for such a cheap lens. I won't get into color rendition because it seems rather pointless given how much the colors get changed anyway during post-processing. Overall, I find the rendition of the lens to be rather clinical, which is to say that it's seems to focus more on accurately recording the scene in sharp detail rather than imparting "character" as some other lenses tend to do. I find this to be a good thing in a 50mm since the focal length itself tends to be one that most photographers would consider to be the "normal" focal length.
Overall, this lens has been a joy to use this second time around which makes me wonder what was going on with that first copy. Maybe it got knocked around during shipping? I don't know. Either way, after experiencing what this lens is capable of offering, I felt compelled to come and update this review because it really is a great lens for the beginner and enthusiast alike that's offered a very reasonable price.
-- OLD REVIEW --
Given all of the positive reviews, I probably just got a bad copy, but the lens was just unacceptably soft for me which I didn't expect since it flies in the face of most of the reviews I've read about this. As far as I could tell, it wasn't a front or back-focusing issue as micro-adjustments didn't seem to help at all and in order to get my copy as sharp as I wanted, I had to stop it down to f5.6, which just completely defeats the purpose.
Ended up returning it and trying out a 50mm 1.4D which I just decided to stick with. I know I could have exchanged it and it probably would have been fine, but the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.
Aside from my particular issues, I can definitely say that the lens itself felt built pretty well for the price. A lot of people like to cry about how they don't make them like they used to—which usually just means that they don't make them out of metal anymore—but plastics have come a long way over the years and definitely have plenty of benefits. Most of the people that make this complaint just miss that hefty feeling, which is more of an argument of personal preference rather than an argument of the objective merits of the materials used. All materials have their pros and cons, but the materials used to construct this lens seemed more than durable enough while having the benefit of being lightweight.
The autofocus responded quickly and crisply without much hunting at all.
All in all, given the low cost of the lens, it's worth at least trying out. You'll probably have better luck than me.
*: BlackVerified Purchase
Probably a great lens. My copy wasn't.
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2016
--UPDATED REVIEW--Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2016
After a good deal of time using the 50mm f/1.4D, I decided that I wanted to pick up a quieter auto-focus lens so I decided to give the 50mm f/1.8G another shot. I'm pleased to say that the experience has been much better this time around.
On my D810 and D850, it's still not wicked sharp wide open, but few lenses are on those camera. Once I stop down to around f/2.8 or so, it actually gets surprisingly sharp for such a cheap lens. I won't get into color rendition because it seems rather pointless given how much the colors get changed anyway during post-processing. Overall, I find the rendition of the lens to be rather clinical, which is to say that it's seems to focus more on accurately recording the scene in sharp detail rather than imparting "character" as some other lenses tend to do. I find this to be a good thing in a 50mm since the focal length itself tends to be one that most photographers would consider to be the "normal" focal length.
Overall, this lens has been a joy to use this second time around which makes me wonder what was going on with that first copy. Maybe it got knocked around during shipping? I don't know. Either way, after experiencing what this lens is capable of offering, I felt compelled to come and update this review because it really is a great lens for the beginner and enthusiast alike that's offered a very reasonable price.
-- OLD REVIEW --
Given all of the positive reviews, I probably just got a bad copy, but the lens was just unacceptably soft for me which I didn't expect since it flies in the face of most of the reviews I've read about this. As far as I could tell, it wasn't a front or back-focusing issue as micro-adjustments didn't seem to help at all and in order to get my copy as sharp as I wanted, I had to stop it down to f5.6, which just completely defeats the purpose.
Ended up returning it and trying out a 50mm 1.4D which I just decided to stick with. I know I could have exchanged it and it probably would have been fine, but the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.
Aside from my particular issues, I can definitely say that the lens itself felt built pretty well for the price. A lot of people like to cry about how they don't make them like they used to—which usually just means that they don't make them out of metal anymore—but plastics have come a long way over the years and definitely have plenty of benefits. Most of the people that make this complaint just miss that hefty feeling, which is more of an argument of personal preference rather than an argument of the objective merits of the materials used. All materials have their pros and cons, but the materials used to construct this lens seemed more than durable enough while having the benefit of being lightweight.
The autofocus responded quickly and crisply without much hunting at all.
All in all, given the low cost of the lens, it's worth at least trying out. You'll probably have better luck than me.
Images in this review
Brilliant Lens a review from Someone who owns both the 1.8D and 1.8G and a former owner of the 1.5G.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2011*: BlackVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
*: BlackVerified Purchase
If You Like A Blurred Background, BUY!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
I decided to buy a Nikon D3300 to revisit my photography urge. I'm so glad I bought this lens to accompany the camera! It's fantastic. The quality is perfect for portraits. Perfect for getting that sharp focus on your desired target! I bought mine "used-very good" and it didn't let me down!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
Sharp, clear images, low price for the quality of the lens
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2024*: BlackVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2024
Images in this review
IsaacC
Un gran Lente!
Reviewed in Mexico on January 27, 2024*: BlackVerified Purchase
IsaacC
Reviewed in Mexico on January 27, 2024
En cuanto a calidad de imagen me gustó bastante, ojalá dure más que la cámara pero en definitiva lo compraría otra vez.
Images in this review
The Braveheart
Polyvalence et luminosité
Reviewed in Belgium on September 15, 2023*: BlackVerified Purchase
