Nikon NIKKOR Z 50/1.8 S Lens (50mm f/1.8)

Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50/1.8 S Lens (50mm f/1.8).

Overall Rating:

This lens is 6 years old and made in Thailand. It has two aspherical elements and two ED elements. This is the first 50mm lens by Nikon to feature ED elements. It features a stepper autofocus motor which means it is silent for video usage. This is an S line lens which means Nikon's superior optics and weather sealing. It's a modern lens design made for today's high resolution sensors. It is not a typical nifty-fifty, and certainly not the AF-S Nikkor 50mm/1.8 G! For a 50mm, it is expensive at $600 (USD) (2020) which is down from its debut price. This lens was introduced when 45MP cameras were modern.

Performance

This is one of the best 50mm lenses on the market right now.

There is no color fringing. There is some vignetting wide open, and is nearly gone at f/2.8-f/4. Barrel distortion at 0.2% means it has almost none.

Color fringing detail at 3-to-1:

Lens is quite sharp wide-open and sharpest at f/5.6

There is no focus breathing and as such a depth of field calculator works great with this lens. There's just very little coma to look for.

This lens does not have the best maximum reproduction ratio at only 1:6.7 — perhaps a small price to pay for the sharpness.

Infrared

Infrared performance not tested.

Bokeh

The bokeh is good. There is a very slight ring added around points of light, but it's minor.

Ghosting & Flaring

This lens exhibits very little ghosting when photographing a subject on a bright background like into the sun. It has just a touch of flaring.

Compatibility

Because this is a Z-mount lens designed for Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras, it is not compatible with older DSLR cameras.

Specifications

Focal length	50mm
Maximum aperture	f/1.8
Minimum aperture	f/16
Lens construction	12 elements in 9 groups
Angle of view	46°
Maximum reproduction ratio	1:6.7 (0.15×)
No. of diaphragm blades	9 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size	ø62mm
Accessories	HB-90 hood
Diameter × length	Approximately 76 × 86.5 mm/3 × 3.4 in.
Weight	Approximately 415 g/14.7 oz.
Price	$600 (USD) (2018)

Images

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