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Lens Description: Along with the highly anticipated Nikon Df camera, Nikon has also introduced the restyled Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition lens. Basically, the lens is identical to the regular Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens. The only difference is the design. Other than that, this updated classic with a fast maximum aperture is ideal for everyday shooting, perfect in low lighting situations and great for producing images with beautiful background blur (Bokeh)
Photography Life Review Summary: Since the lens is identical to the regular AF-S 50mm f/1.8G, the same review summary applies. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G sets new standards in 50mm fixed lens performance for Nikon mount - it is sharper than all of the predecessors, including the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G at largest apertures. I was very surprised to see such results in my lab tests; you can see all image comparisons yourself with 100% crops in the previous pages of this review that prove this. I can only guess that the performance is this good due to the added aspherical element in the lens, but I am sure other lens design factors also add their share. The only weakness I could find on the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is its distortion, but then the more expensive primes like Nikon 50mm f/1.4G and 50mm f/1.4D also have a moderate amount of visible distortion. I really enjoyed shooting with this lens in outdoor environments and it performed great even in challenging light. Read the full Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G SE Review by Photography Life.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G SE Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| * Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area | |
| Lens Type | Prime Lens |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | FX/35mm |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 0.15x |
| Vibration Reduction / Image Stabilization | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | No |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 31°30' |
| Minimum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | N/A |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full Frame format) | 47° |
| Minimum Angle of View (Full Frame format) | N/A |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 7 |
| Lens Groups | 6 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| Nano Coating | No |
| Super Integrated / Super Spectra Coating | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | Yes |
| Silent Wave / Ultrasonic Motor | Yes |
| Internal Focusing | No |
| Rear Focusing | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.48 ft. (0.45m) |
| Focus Mode Switch | Auto, Manual, Auto/Manual |
| G-type | Yes |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 58mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | No |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Dimensions | (Approx.) 2.8x2.1 in. (Diameter x Length), 72.1x52.4mm (Diameter x Length) |
| Weight | (Approx.) 6.6 oz. (185g) |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
| Supplied Accessories | 58mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap, LC-58 Rear Lens Cap, LF-4 Bayonet Hood HB-47, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1013 |
Lens Construction
MTF Chart
MTF Performance
Here is how the lens performed according to Imatest in our own lab environment:
Distortion
Imatest measured some barrel distortion at -1.02, which is very easy to remove using Lightroom, Adobe Camera RAW or other third party tools.
Chromatic Aberrations
Chromatic aberration levels are fairly low, especially when compared to some other 50mm lenses. Imatest measured CA at under 1 pixel on average, as shown below:
Vignetting
Vignetting is fairly strong wide open, reaching over 2 full stops in the extreme corners. As the lens is stopped down, vignetting is reduced considerably – by f/4, it is almost completely gone:
Here is the worst case scenario, shot at f/1.8:
Image Samples
