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Lens review

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G

5 July 2011
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary

Pros:
  • excellent image quality in the frame centre,
  • good image quality on the edge of the frame,
  • not very bothersome chromatic aberration,
  • slight distortion,
  • well-controlled vignetting on the smaller sensor,
  • silent and quite swift autofocus,
  • very good work against bright light,
  • rich accessory kit for this price segment,
  • very good price/quality ratio.

Cons:

  • image quality near the maximum aperture could have been at least a bit better,
  • noticeable coma in the corners of full frame,
  • distinct vignetting on full frame.

The new Nikkor is a bit more expensive than its predecessor but still it remains a cheap lens, well within reach of most of photographers. Like its predecessor, it offers a lot for such a price. Although its casing can hardly be called robust the producer decided to use metal in the mount – it should be praised as it is not a popular move when it comes to the cheapest equipment anymore.


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The lens has its flaws – quite understandable when you consider its price tag. The image quality near the maximum relative aperture could have been a bit better. On the other hand it is still better than in the case of its predecessor so the performance definitely has gained here. The same can be said about coma. In the corners of full frame it would be difficult not to notice it but still, it remains lower than in the older model. What’s interesting, the new model corrects the distortion and vignetting on full frame a bit worse but the difference is, fortunately, small; in return you get a better autofocus and good work against bright light.

To sum up the lens won’t disappoint practically any buyer, no matter whether it is a professional photographer or just a beginner. We wish we saw more such lenses on the market, with such a good price/quality ratio.


Sample shots

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.06 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.64 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/125 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.29 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/40 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 9.51 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/320 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.24 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 200
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.66 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 200
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.12 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/125 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 10.37 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/2500 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 5.84 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/400 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.06 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/320 s, ISO 200
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.28 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/40 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.83 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 9.04 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.34 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.5, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.41 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 10.96 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/500 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.5 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/250 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.41 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 9.25 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/80 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 10.37 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.0, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.57 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.6 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/100 s, ISO 200
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 7.34 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 200
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 6.99 MB
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G - Summary
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/3.5, exp. 1/1600 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 9.55 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.8, exp. 1/6400 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 8.83 MB
Camera: Nikon D3x
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/800 s, ISO 100
File: JPEG, 6048×4032 pix, 10.26 MB



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