Nikon NIKKOR 50mm 1:1.8 Ai-S N (New) Lens (f/1.8)

Overall Rating:

In 1985, Nikon introduced this version of their popular 50mm/1.8 lens to replace the nearly identical pancake lens of 1980. It has a serial number greater than 4000000, and about 460,000 were produced. It was discontinued in 2005.

This sharp, very compact lens is made in JAPAN. Mechnically, it is just fair. It is not as good as the earlier Ai-S versions. It also only focuses down to 0.6 meters (compared to 0.45 meters). The focus collar and aperture ring are plastic. The front element doesn't rotate during focus and it has a focus scale with depth of field scale.

Distortion is well controlled with about 0.1% pincushion. Color fringing is very slight. There is a hint of spherical aberration.

Flaring is well controlled with just a little at f/22. Ghosting is also well controlled.

The bokeh is decent. There is nothing too distracting about it. Vignetting is gone by about f/4.

The infrared performance is not good at f/22 as there is a hotspot.

Diffraction has begun by f/8.

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/1.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• ø52mm filter ring
• Lens construction: 6 lens elements in 5 groups
• Picture angle: 46°, 31°30' on DX sensors
• Distance scale: 0.6m/2ft. to infinity with infrared focus index
• Price: $159 (USD) (1985)

Related links:

• Nikon Nikkor Lens Reviews
• All Lens Reviews