I was given this lens as a Christmas present about 10 years ago for my old D40. I typically shot it at f4 or 5.6, so I was quite happy with its performance. Now that I’m shooting primarily with a D700, I rarely use the 50mm focal length. I’m still happy with the lens, but tend to shoot with a longer focal length. Great review and I would agree with everything you’ve said. Happy New Year, Fred!
Happy New Year Tim! Thanks a lot! I have been shooting with this lens a lot recently, and the CA is so strong that when I shoot high contrast sunny scenes, then the CA is visible in the EVF! Will seriously consider a S-version of this one... :-/
Thanks for the great review Frederik. I think you covered all of your bases and did a great job of testing the lens. This particular lens is my main lens at the moment, since I upgraded to full frame a few months ago and my zooms are all dx. But as I've stated before, I love 50mm anyway. I generally shoot at f8 when walking around town or in nature. I prefer to have more items in focus for this style of shooting, and I have not been disappointed. For portraits I have never been disappointed unless I miss focus. As long as I hit focus, I am very happy with the results at 1.8. I also shoot 1.8 for live bands, and again, as long as I don't miss focus I am happy with the results. But maybe I should add that auto focus varies between struggling and useless in low light. I don't know if that's the lens or the camera, but I tend to manual focus in low light. All in all, I love the lens. Maybe I just haven't had the experience of a better lens? I do have my eye on the 85mm 1.8g next, so we'll see...
Thanks for sharing Jamie - much appreciated! I am afraid that my copy soon goes back to MPB.com as I experience so much CA that I can see it even in the viewfinder! But, could of course be my copy only! All the best!
Thanks for sharing...yes I have this 50mm but when I ordered it I was sent a newer version....I think they said it was an 'anniversary' model which has a chrome ring around it..I am happy with results on my D500... keep up the good work.. cheers 😀
Thank You for this helpful review. As a long time amateur photographer whose first camera was the Nikon FM, your assessment would point to this being a very useable lens for still images at a great price new too. My slight concern would be durable build quality for a Nikkor. As an aside,I am thinking that the Chinese lens factories will quickly improve anyway.
Thank you Dexmond! Yep, we still need to see if the build quality will make this lens last 20-30 years as we have come to know the made-in-japan-all-glass-and-metal vintage lenses from Nikon. So far it looks like this lens is doing OK.
Always like your extensive reviews. Do you have them 1.8 d? I would like to see your findings between the two. With all the discontinuations with f mount lenses. I am glad I have a lot of screw driven lenses. They will out last afs lenses and they should always work. Afs lens will eventually stop working.
I used this before on a crop body before mainly for portraits. Not bad at all for the price. 1.8 is a little soft especially in the corners but for portraits that doesn't really matter and you might want a bit of softness anyway. 2.8 onwards is pretty sharp. Worst part is the cheap plastic feel, especially the focus ring but it gets the job done. Since got a SMC Pentax 50mm 1.2 and that is one heck of a lens.. they really knew how to make stuff back then!
Thank you for this well thought out practical review of this lens. I own one but confess I am one of those lazy people who tend to leave a big ranged zoom on the camera body most of the time.
Thank you Tim! I also walk around with a zoom often! I can recommend however just once in a while to limit yourself to a prime - go out shooting bringing along just one prime lens. It really forces you to develop new habits!
@@frederikboving my prime of choice for walking around lately has been the 28mm f/2.8 AIS. It is a fantastic and sharp lens, and with the focus peaking on z bodies it is insanely easy to use manual lenses
@@frederikboving On another note, I would like to see more of your reactions and ideas about your Z50. I now find I use my Z6ii more than any of my other Nikon cameras. I never thought I would, but I do! A video about your experiences using the Z50 would be nice - but of course it would be heavily influenced by your personal needs.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on another lens. I just got this lens the other day and funnily enough for $3 more in usd than what you paid from a different used equipment dealer here in the US. Do I smell price collusion? :) anyway hope to try it out today. and again, I really like how you present and your viewpoint. thanks
Der er mange gode! Jeg kan godt lide denne ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0yaNK7mSbUo.html da den er let, billig og har en god all round zoom range. Men du skal finde en god kopi! Der er en del dårlige kopier derude!
Love your videos, especially on the D700. I have a 50mm but I find it too confining. I prefer a 35mm and have a 35mm f2D and also the superb, but heavy, Tamron 35mm 1.4.
While the lens is not officially weather sealed, I have shot with it in the pouring rain and had no issues. Do at your own risk, obviously, but just know it does work well for me.
Lightweight and small. This is a single purpose lens that I still use for street at f8-f11. A shame because yes the bokeh is gorgeous at f1.8 but subjects are soft.
Yes, it should work! Please check that the switch on the lens is at "A/M" and that the AF mode switch on the camera front left is on "AF" (and not "M"). Then it should work!
