50mm f1.8 lens

[BigD]

I shoot Nikon, but a Canon using friend recommended this lens to me. Has anyone used one here? Likes and dislikes? Seems you can't go wrong for about $100 new. Less used. Supposed to be one of the sharpest Nikon has made, more sensitive to light.

[fivegrand]

Buy it.

Sharp as a tack and excellent DOF control.

The only reason I'd advise caution with THIS lens used is that the body is plastic, and *may* be more prone to unseen damage (hairline cracks in the plastic allowing moisture entry and internal fungus). I've seen this only a couple of times though.

This lens is a slam-dunk in the Nikkor lineup if there ever was one. Considered to be "the" portrait lens.

[John Stutz]

This lens is a slam-dunk in the Nikkor lineup if there ever was one. Considered to be "the" portrait lens.I regret to differ... the 85 f/1.4 would be "the" portrait lens.

While the 50 f/1.8 is going to be a fine cheap lens, I'd recommend the 50 f/1.4 instead. The 1.8 lens will take excellent photos, but it's built as crumbily as Nikon has ever made a lens. The 1.4 will be more durable, and (imho) the 1.4 is sharper from the [limited] samples I've seen.

[BigD]

I regret to differ... the 85 f/1.4 would be "the" portrait lens.

While the 50 f/1.8 is going to be a fine cheap lens, I'd recommend the 50 f/1.4 instead. The 1.8 lens will take excellent photos, but it's built as crumbily as Nikon has ever made a lens. The 1.4 will be more durable, and (imho) the 1.8 is sharper from the [limited] samples I've seen.


Thanks, John. Did you mean to say the 1.8 is sharper? I have been told by a couple of others the sharpness is the same.

[BigD]

Buy it.

Sharp as a tack and excellent DOF control.

The only reason I'd advise caution with THIS lens used is that the body is plastic, and *may* be more prone to unseen damage (hairline cracks in the plastic allowing moisture entry and internal fungus). I've seen this only a couple of times though.

This lens is a slam-dunk in the Nikkor lineup if there ever was one. Considered to be "the" portrait lens.


The old model was metal wasn't it? If you can find one.

[John Stutz]

Thanks, John. Did you mean to say the 1.8 is sharper? I have been told by a couple of others the sharpness is the same.Whoops, too many numbers. I edited my previous post to avoid further confusion for anyone who may read it. I meant to say that I think the 1.4 is sharper from the [limited] samples I've seen.

Btw, I own one (a 50 f/1.4) and it is comparable in quality to all of the other new lenses in the Nikon lineup. They're not the steel tanks they used to be, but they are much lighter, which is more important to me these days anyway. To wit, I also purchased an 85 f/1.8 to replace my [manual] 85 f/1.4 simply because it was SO MUCH smaller and lighter. The 85 f/1.4 used to be my second favorite lens.

[BigD]

Whoops, too many numbers. I edited my previous post to avoid further confusion for anyone who may read it. I meant to say that I think the 1.4 is sharper from the [limited] samples I've seen.

Btw, I own one (a 50 f/1.4) and it is comparable in quality to all of the other new lenses in the Nikon lineup. They're not the steel tanks they used to be, but they are much lighter, which is more important to me these days anyway. To wit, I also purchased an 85 f/1.8 to replace my [manual] 85 f/1.4 simply because it was SO MUCH smaller and lighter. The 85 f/1.4 used to be my second favorite lens.


Thanks for the info John. The same as you, the lighter lenses I like better.

[jasons805]

i have an old later 60's pentax 50mm 1.4 going that low is hard to focus but i do like how narrow it is if you get it right. great late nite with no flash.

[Pandmoanium]

I just got one of the Japanese built 1.8 versions for my D200. Ebay rocks! 110.00 bucks for the metal one. Looking forward to playing with it!

[BigD]

I have been using mine as well and really like it so far.