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AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
- 50mm
- f/1.8
- Prime
- 185 g
- Min focus 0.45 m
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Quick answer
A modern normal prime for Nikon F-mount DSLRs with a silent-wave autofocus motor and f/1.8 aperture. Covers full frame and gives a short-portrait view on DX.
Pros
- Fast, quiet AF-S autofocus
- f/1.8 aperture
- Light and compact (185 g)
- Autofocuses on entry-level DSLRs
Cons
- No vibration reduction
- Soft at f/1.8 in the corners
Verdict
A very good 50mm for Nikon DSLRs. Stopping down a stop or two sharpens it noticeably.
About this lens
A lightweight, affordable 50mm prime for Nikon F-mount cameras. Great for portraits and everyday shooting.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G specifications
- Brand
- Nikon
- Mount
- Nikon F
- Focal length
- 50mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.8
- Minimum aperture
- f/16
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2011
- Optical construction
- 7 elements in 6 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- SWM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.45 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.15x
- Filter thread
- 58 mm
- Weight
- 185 g
- Length
- 52.5 mm
- Diameter
- 72 mm
Specification source: imaging.nikon.com
What can you shoot with the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G?
- Everyday portraits
- Low-light photography
- Walk-around shooting
- Video with shallow depth
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 50mm | 39.6° | 46.8° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 75mm | 27° | 32.2° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G full-frame compatible?
Yes. It covers FX bodies and works on DX bodies, where it frames like a roughly 75mm lens.
Will the 50mm f/1.8G autofocus on entry-level Nikon DSLRs?
Yes. It has a built-in AF-S motor, so it autofocuses on bodies such as the D3500 and D5600 that lack a motor in the body.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G vs 50mm f/1.4G: which should I buy?
The 1.8G is lighter and smaller. The 1.4G gains a stop of light and has a nine-blade aperture for smoother blur, but is bigger.
Alternatives for Nikon F from other brands
All Nikon F lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
