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AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
- 50mm
- f/1.8
- Prime
- 155 g
- Min focus 0.45 m
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Quick answer
A long-running 50mm for Nikon F-mount, with screw-drive focusing that requires a body with an autofocus motor. Small and light.
Pros
- Small and light (155 g)
- f/1.8 aperture
- Works on film and older bodies
Cons
- No autofocus on bodies without a built-in motor
- Soft wide open
Verdict
Suited to older bodies. Entry-level DSLR owners should choose the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G instead.
About this lens
The Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D is a fast standard prime lens covering 50mm at f/1.8 for Nikon F mount cameras. A very affordable, compact standard prime from the autofocus film era that remains popular on DSLRs.
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D specifications
- Brand
- Nikon
- Mount
- Nikon F
- Focal length
- 50mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1986
- Optical construction
- 6 elements in 5 groups
- Autofocus motor
- none
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.45 m
- Filter thread
- 52 mm
- Weight
- 155 g
- Length
- 39 mm
- Diameter
- 63.5 mm
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D?
- Learning with a prime
- Casual portraits
- Low-light work on motor-equipped bodies
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
Will the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D autofocus on a D3500?
No. The D3500 and similar entry-level bodies have no focus motor, so the D lens works only with manual focus there.
Does the AF 50mm f/1.8D work on Nikon Z cameras?
It mounts with the FTZ adapter but without autofocus, since the lens relies on a screw drive. Manual focus is still possible.
AF 50mm f/1.8D vs AF-S 50mm f/1.8G: which one?
The G lens has an in-lens motor and better overall performance. The D needs a body motor to autofocus.
Alternatives for Nikon F from other brands
All Nikon F lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
