Finding decent 50mm DX lens for a Nikon D3200

FX-lenses work just fine on a D3200. No need to avoid them. But you'll an AF-S lens (with a motor built into the lens) in order for autofocus to work.

If you're looking for a 50/1,8 mm lens with autofocus for a Nikon D3200, you'll need the AF-S 50/1,8G.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/766516-USA/Nikon_2199_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_8G.html

What lens were you using on it before?

The two common knocks against using FX lenses on a DX camera are (1) FX lenses are big, heavy, and expensive without actually being any better on a DX camera. (2) FX lenses have focal lengths (or focal length ranges, in the case of zooms) that are less useful and desirable on DX cameras.

But if a 50mm lens is what you need, then you should just go ahead and get a 50mm f/1.8 FX lens that's listed as being compatible with your D3200. The two common reasons for not getting an FX lens won't apply.

Now to open a new can of worms, you might actually need a "50mm full-frame equivalent" lens - one that has (close to) the same angle of view on the D3200 that a 50mm lens has on a full-frame FX camera. In that case you want a 35mm lens - and here you do want the DX lens rather than the FX version.

But that gets back to my opening question: What lens were you using before?

There are only two reasons to avoid using FX lenses on DX: 1) weight; and 2) low center sharpness for certain lenses. The first point is self-explanatory: a bigger projection plane requires bigger glass. On the second point, basically DX on average has higher pixel density than FX, and so is more demanding on center sharpness (whereas the opposite is true for corner sharpness, since DX chops them off).

Fortunately, the 50mm 1.8G is super light and sharp all around, so no need for concern. The 1.8D is also great but won’t autofocus on cheaper DSLRs so I don’t recommend it for the D3200. As for 1.4, if you don’t know why you need one, you don’t need one.

It is a crime not to have the 50mm 1.8G in your kit even if you have a crop sensor camera.

BenBike said:

I'm using a Nikon D3200 for my employer. The lens needs replacement. I've looked around for a 50mm DX lens, but everything I find is an FX, listed as "DX-compatible". From what I've read, I should avoid buying an FX lens for this camera.

I bought a DX lens on ebay, but it was too old to work with the camera's autofocus.

Ideally I'd get an F1.8 50mm for this, but I can't find anything on ebay or elsewhere.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Ben

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In your case the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is the best bang-for-buck lens for your camera with respect to the criteria you listed. The D lens will not autofocus on your camera.

Keep in mind that the 50mm Field of View (FoV) on your camera will be mildly telephoto (FoV equivalent of a 75mm lens on a FX). As another mentioned, this may not be what you're looking for. If you're looking for a "Normal" lens, the 35mm f/1.8G DX is probably what you'd want.

BenBike said:

I'm using a Nikon D3200 for my employer. The lens needs replacement. I've looked around for a 50mm DX lens, but everything I find is an FX, listed as "DX-compatible". From what I've read, I should avoid buying an FX lens for this camera.

I bought a DX lens on ebay, but it was too old to work with the camera's autofocus.

Ideally I'd get an F1.8 50mm for this, but I can't find anything on ebay or elsewhere.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Ben

Click to expand...

Why do you look for a 50mm lens -- because you really want 50mm on DX (i.e. slight tele zoom) or because you know that 50mm generally represents a natural angle of view?

If you want a natural angle of view, the DX 35mm f/1.8G would be your lens. If you are looking for a slight tele/portraiture lens, the FX 50mm f/1.8G fits best. Both cost about 200 bucks new.

BenBike said:

I'm using a Nikon D3200 for my employer. The lens needs replacement. I've looked around for a 50mm DX lens, but everything I find is an FX, listed as "DX-compatible". From what I've read, I should avoid buying an FX lens for this camera.

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You've been reading the wrong stuff. FX lenses are fine for DX cameras.

What was the lens that needed replacement? Those things usually come with an 18-55 zoom. Why does it have to be replaced?

BenBike said:

I bought a DX lens on ebay, but it was too old to work with the camera's autofocus.

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There is only one DX lens too old for your camera and that's the 10.5mm fisheye. You probably didn't buy that one. There are DX lenses that are too new for your camera but that's a different can of worms.

I'm guessing you bought a "D" lens, like a 50mm f/1.8 AF-D. Unfortunately, "D" and "DX" mean completely different things. What lens did you buy?

BenBike said:

Ideally I'd get an F1.8 50mm for this, but I can't find anything on ebay or elsewhere.

Suggestions?

Click to expand...

If you really need a 50mm, get an AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G. Works good.

But do you really need a 50mm? I hardly ever use one on DX. The "normal" prime for DX is the AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.

--
Leonard Migliore

People have covered the topic well. I bought the D850, so no longer need a 50mm equivalent for my D500. I have the DX 35mm/1.8G I could sell pretty cheap. Let me know.