Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd
Barrel
Metal
Weight
5.5 oz (156g)
Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.
Close Focus
2 feet (0.6 meters).
Filter Threads
52mm, Metal
Aperture Ring
Metal
Diaphragm
7 blades stopping down to f/22.
Mount
Nikon Ai-s Metal Mount.
Made in
Japan
Corner at f/1.8
Sharpness
f/1.8 This lens is actually quite sharp wide open with nice contrast. It’s a little hazed over with coma and a very small amount of chromatic abberation.
f/2 Sharpens up a bit with more contrast and almost no coma with still the chromatic aberration.
f/2.8: Very sharp with fantastic contrast and almost no aberrations. Great results.
f/3.5: Sharper yet.
f/4: Sharper yet.
f/8: Sharper yet with a hint of diffraction.
Vignetting
There is quite a bit of vignetting at f/1.8 but immediately clears off with only a hint at f/2.8
Bokeh
The blur is not too bad but nothing to rave about.
Distortion
One of the straightest 50mm’s with almost no barrel distortion at all.
Recommendations
On MF Camera
Optics: ★ ★ ★
Mechanics: ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★ ★
Usefulness: ★ ★ ★
Availability: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★
On AF Camera
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★
Overall: ★ ★ ★
Out of 5
People are giving this manual focus lens away these days for under $50 which is a crazy good deal. This lens is really well built, tiny; being a pancake lens, great for low light and great optics even at f/1.8.
The biggest problem with the lens is outdoors the coma can create a haze but under low light this lens can be shot wide open and you won’t notice it very much. When this lens is mounted on the camera you hardly notice the lens at all. The lens has a nice sized focus and aperture ring.
One of the greatest things about this lens is the lack of barrel distortion giving perfectly straight images. This lens is really simple and fun to use.
If you want one then go grab one and have fun! They are worth way more then what they sell for these days!
Did this review help?
My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!
Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd
