Nikon has published details of an AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens on its US website. With a built-in Silent Wave focusing motor, this not-yet-formally-announced design should autofocus on all entry-level Nikon DSLR bodies, including the recently-released D5100. It uses an all-new optical design with 7 elements in 6 groups, including one aspherical element. The lens can be used on both FX and DX format DSLRs, with a short-telephoto 75mm-equivalent angle of view on the latter.The web page has now been removed from the Nikon site.

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Click here to view the product page on Nikon's USA website

The web page lists the following details about the lens:

Focal length • 50mm
Maximum aperture • f/1.8
Mninimum aperture • f/16
Lens construction • 7 elements in 6 groups (with one aspherical lens element)
Angle of view • 47° (31°30' with Nikon DX format)
Minimum focus distance • 0.45 m/1.48 ft
Maximum reproduction ratio • 0.15x
No. of diaphragm blades • 7 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size • 58mm
Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) • Approximately 72 x 52.5 mm/2.8 x 2.1 in.
Weight • Approximately 185 g/6.6 oz
Supplied accessories • 58mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-58, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-47, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1013
The Nikon web page also includes a diagram of the optical formula, which differs from the design of the existing 50mm f1.8D in using 7 elements in 6 groups (as opposed to 6 elements / 5 groups) and including an aspheric lens element - a first for a 50mm F1.8 lens.