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Now reading: Just Posted: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 samples gallery 31 comments

Just Posted: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 samples gallery

Published Jul 14, 2011 | dpreview staff

Just Posted: Our AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G sample gallery. We've had access to Nikon's latest inexpensive 50mm prime lens for a couple of weeks and have put together a 41-image sample gallery to show some of what it can do. The AF-S G version means there's finally an inexpensive Nikon 50mm lens that will autofocus on the company's entry-level bodies, such as the D40, D60, D3100 and D5100. Here we've shot it using both the DX D7000 and the FX D3S to show how it performs on both formats.

There are 41 images in the samples gallery (21 shot on APS-C and 20 on full-frame). Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter / magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review), we do so in good faith, please don't abuse it.

Unless otherwise noted images processed using Adobe Camera Raw using 'Camera Standard' color rendering. Because our review images are now hosted on the 'galleries' section of dpreview.com, you can enjoy all of the new galleries functionality when browsing these samples

Additional images

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G samples gallery

Tags: sample-gallery, nikon

Comments

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wmac

Has anyone compared this lens to the "AF-S 35mm F1.8 DX" in regard to sharpness and chromatic aberration?

Which one is sharper?

Thanks.

Jul 31, 2011permalink

zobeliahlah

is this compatible w/ nikon d3000? tnx!

Jul 20, 2011permalink

wmac

Yes, it has an internal ultrasonic motor.

Jul 31, 2011permalink

pcmh78

Seems like a fine lens. Slightly busy bokeh though, just like the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G...

Jul 15, 2011permalink

M Jesper

Just how i like it. Too soft can be boring.

Jul 20, 2011permalink

AbrasiveReducer

I'm sure this is a nice lens and a good value. 50/1.8 lenses usually are. But with all due respect--and not wanting to seem like a snob--have things in photo reached a point where the introduction of a 50mm lens is that big a deal?

Jul 15, 2011permalink

JamieTux

It's the first cheap 50mm that Nikon have produced that will work in AF on the bodies with no motors in as mentioned in the post, some of which are 4 or maybe 5 years old now - as the 85mm is not AFS either it's going to be an introduction to shallow dof or natural (low) light portraits for a lot of people.

So in lots of ways, yes it is a big deal!

Jul 15, 2011permalink

M Jesper

Plus it finally has good bokeh.

Jul 18, 2011permalink

mgblack74

My 50 1.4G died a few weeks ago (I use it a lot for weddings), and it's since been repaired by Nikon, but while it was out of commission I bought the new 50 1.8G and I'm fully impressed. It's sharper at 1.8 than the 1.4G is. Has almost zero CA. I'm still comparing both to see if one has magic over the other. I'm also using it on a D7000 and a D3s. The 50 1.8G excels on the D7000. I wouldn't use the 1.4G on the D7000 as it shows a lot more softness below f/2 on that camera, but the 1.8G is razor sharp on the D7000 at f/1.8. My 1.4G might back up my 1.8G now.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

wutsurstyle

Sigh..makes me want to go from Pentax to Canon and now to Nikon.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

Toddles

Wow! First time I bought a lens before a DPR review (late one at that too, but I trust DPR more than other websites). The 1.8F is awesome and I can now use my 62mm NIkon Close up lens (filter with 2 glasses) from 20 years ago. Extremely sharp and this is a low cost lens too. Nothing against the photographer(s) but the images don't do justice for the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

Jose Tercero

Not impressed, at all.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

jhinkey

What doesn't impress you? The performance/price impresses me, especially compared to my 50/1.8D and my 50/1.2AIS.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

Jose Tercero

First, the pictures do not show enough. Any 50mm lens, including the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8II can bring you those pictures, for half the price!
Second, in order for me (or us) to really appreciate the lens we have to do a studio shooting where it can be compared to other ones. These pictures do not show its potential. I prefer the gallery of Panasonic 20mm micro 4/3 twice as much.
I could be wrong, the lens could be wonderful, but based on these pictures there is no way to appreciate it.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

iamatrix

I kinda agree. Dpreview sample galleries look awful anymore. Back in the day this site boasted the most amazing sample galleries. Just look at the D7000 galleries, a camera dpreview claimed is one of the best APS-C sensors on the market and yet from looking at their sample gallery one would assume this is one of the worst cameras on the market.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

wingnut1

If you want to see the most awful galleries on the web check out photozone. Their reviews are highly respected but their sample photos are just god awful.

Jul 16, 2011permalink

tulo

*every time* i see a gallery preview matrix like the one is this post, i try to click a specific image expecting to get a view of that one in particular.
*every time* i get confused and a litte disappointed when i realise that i'm going to have to go through the entire gallery to refind the image i was interested in...

i think you (dpreview.com staff) should reconsider how these gallery previews are functioning and/or presented.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

M Jesper

*like*, but damn you still get confused after all this time ?

Jul 18, 2011permalink

Dragonfire

Love the little guy on D700, much nicer bokeh rendering than 1,8D, AF performance is more than OK, a joy to use...

Jul 14, 2011permalink

foto2021

I agree, the bokeh is the smoothest of any 50mm Nikkor for at least 25 years. It's a pleasure to own and use this lens.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

patoth66

It looks nice, but it could have been a 50/1.4 version! I dont get Nikons huge price difference! Either its a budget or a pro lens, no semi pro lenses! I would have preferred a 50/1,4 semi pro lens with built in image stabilization for low light shooting at low iso speeds!

Jul 14, 2011permalink

CriticalI

There already is a 50mm F1.4 lens that works on both formats, nor is it that expensive.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

Toddles

The 50mm F1.4 is out but it is also twice the cost of the F1.8.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

El Crapio

After having the VR break down on my lens (thankfully it was the 18-55 kit lens), I've come to the conclusion that I wouldn't want any good glass unnecessarily compromised.
The high ISO performance on new cameras is really good anyway.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

shigzeo

Sharper than the 50 1,2 Ai at f/2,0? That is quite a feat. My 50 1,2 is Einstein sharp.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

jhinkey

Yes, in the center they are very equal, but off center the 50/1.8G is much sharper (all at f/2). The 50/1.2 AIS is way sharper at f/1.2 thought . . .

Also, the 50/1.8G has significantly better ghosting/flare resistance than the 50/1.2AIS - this is to be expected due to modern coatings and such.

See my review at:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1019642/1#9733075

John

Jul 14, 2011permalink

M Jesper

What extremely good looking rendering / bokeh on both full-frame and DX. I didn't think the difference with the AF-D could be this much that i'd actually would want to replace the old bugger, just for the rendering, but it seems i do. Pleasantly surprised!

And then the performance at F1.8.. wow.

Also, is this the first fully ACR processed gallery then ? Finally ! Tumbsup dpr.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

jhinkey

I've been very happy with my 50/1.8G on my D700. Sharp enough wide open, especially across the FX frame, and excellent stopped down.
Until now my 50/1.2 AIS was the sharpest Nikon 50mm at f/2, now the 50/1.8G takes that title.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

mironv

Link to galery dose not work.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

Richard Butler

Try again, it should be fixed.

Jul 14, 2011permalink

ed kelly

Had mine for 3 weeks. Think the lens is great on my d700. No regrets at all. Wish I could put a few samples up on my reply.

Jul 18, 2011permalink


Leica T Typ 701 real-world samples gallery updated Jul 7, 2014	Nikon formally announces AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens Apr 27, 2011	Nikon 1 V3 stock shortage prompts official apology Jul 8, 2014	One of a kind? Nikon 1 V3 First Impressions Review Jun 30, 2014

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