Review of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

The full name of the lens written on its body is Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical, but it is commonly called Nikon 50 / 1.8G.

Review of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical with hood HB-47

Nikon 50 / 1.8G - it's fast fifty-degree autofocus lens from Nikon. 'Poltina' or 'fifty-kopeck' is the common name for a lens with a focal length of 50 mm. This focal length is very popular. On old cameras, XNUMX rubles were often installed as a standard lens, but nowadays, XNUMX rubles are attractive for a low price and excellent image quality.

The Nikon 50 / 1.8G lens is an upgrade to the legendary Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor from film cameras. The upgrade touched on the aperture control method, the optical circuit and the built-in focus motor. The new model is heavier and larger in size.

All Nikon 50 / 1.8 Autofocus Lenses

  1. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor (first version, MKI) - the lens was produced only in Japan from 1986 to 1990. It is easy to distinguish by a window with a focusing distance and a narrow plastic focus ring. There are two subversions that are no different:
    • MKI first subversion. Weighing 210 grams. It is easy to distinguish by the screw under the inscription '1: 1.8'. From September 1986 to March 1987. Serial numbers start at 2
    • MKI second version. Weighing 165 grams. It is easy to distinguish by the absence of a screw under the inscription '1: 1.8'. From 1987 to 1990. Serial numbers start at 3.
  2. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor (second version, MKII, also known as the 'N', or the 'NEW' version) - the lens was produced in Japan and China. The MK II version was produced from 1990 to 2001. There are three subversions that are no different:
  3. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor (third version, MKIIIbetter known as 'D'-version) - the lens is available from 2002 to this day. All lenses are made in China.
  4. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical (fourth version, MKIVbetter known as '1.8 G'-version or '1.8 AF-S' version) - the lens has been produced since 2011, all lenses are made in China.
  5. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Special Edition (fifth version, MKVbetter known as version 'Special Edition' or 'SE' or version for the camera with a retro design of the case Nikon Df) - the lens has been available since the fall of 2013. All lenses are made in China.
  6. Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S, from summer 2018, lens for mirrorless cameras with Nikon Z mount... Diagram of 12 elements in 9 groups, 2 ED, 2 ASP.

Details on the lineup of fifty dollars from Nikon can be found in my article 'All Nikon autofocus fifty dollars'.

Main technical characteristics of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

Review Instance Name Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical 2153108
Basic properties
Front Filter Diameter 58 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length 50 mm, EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 75 mm
Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by for full-frame digital cameras
Number of aperture blades 7 pieces
Tags focusing distance in meters and feet, depth of field for F / 16, mark of bayonet mount and hood mount
Diaphragm F / 1.8 to F / 16, without aperture ring.
MDF 0.45 m, maximal magnification factor 1: 6.7
The weight 185 g
Optical design 7 elements in 6 groups, 1 aspherical element (in the optical diagram, the aspherical element is shown in blue). This is Nikon's first fifty kopeck piece to use aspherical elements in its design. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Special Edition has exactly the same optical design. The image is clickable.

nikon-50mm-f-1-8g-af-s-nikkor-optical-scheme

Lens hood Nikon HB-47
Manufacturer country MADE IN CHINA
Period From April 2011 ->
Instructions See
Price

Nikon since available Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor, has not updated its set of fifty dollars for a long time. Before the Nikon 50 / 1.8G was released, there was only a choice between expensive f / 1.4 models and between the old non-motorized Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor... With the release of the new, relatively cheap Nikon 50 / 1.8G, users non-powered cameras got the opportunity to use aperture poltina without special investment.

Rear view of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

Rear view of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

Most importantly, what you need to know about the Nikon 50 / 1.8G:

1. The lens is also suitable for FX and DX cameras. That is, the lens can be used at full frame, for example, on full-frame FX cameras Nikon D600, D3s, D800, D750 etc., and on cropped cameras, for example, on Nikon D3300, D90, D5200 etc.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Lens with Two Lids

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Lens with Two Lids

2. The lens has focus motor Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which means the lens can be used for everyone Nikon digital SLR cameras. The lens will automatically focus even on entry-level non-powered cameras: D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Lens Information Labels

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Lens Information Labels

3. The lens is marked “G”. This means the Nikon 50 / 1.8G has no aperture ring. The diaphragm is controlled only by the camera. This will prevent the lens from being used on older film cameras, or for example for macro with reversible adapter... This is not a disadvantage, but a tribute to the times. Almost all lenses now come without an aperture ring. You can read more about 'G' and 'Non-G' lenses here.

Enlightenment of the front lens and aperture blades Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

Enlightenment of the front lens and aperture blades Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

4. The diameter of the front filter is 58 mm, the same as that of Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor. The lens is made of plastic, the assembly is good. Bayonet mount metal. All Nikon 50 / 1.8G lenses are manufactured in China.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical fixed lens and Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM VR IF Aspherical universal lens

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical fixed lens and universal lens Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM VR IF Aspherical

5. Focusing method. When focusing, the entire lens block moves. It is very important that the lens does not have internal focus. But at the same time, the method itself is made quite unusual, when focusing, the inner part of the lens moves, which is located in the middle of the pyramidal front frame. And that means that the trunk of the lens does not extend or rotate when focusing.

A fifty-fifty Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical and a real Nikon AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1: 2 D Defocus Image Control lens

A fifty-fifty Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical and a true portrait lens Nikon AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1: 2D

6. High speed focus. But always remember that the speed and accuracy of focusing is also associated with the camera itself and a number of other factors. The lens has focus distance scale. The distance is indicated in meters and feet. There is also a depth of field scale for F / 16.

7. On the lens housing can be found focus switch 'M / A - M'. In the 'M / A' position, auto focus works with constant manual focus priority. The 'M / A' mode is very convenient and useful - for manual focusing or focus correction, you do not need to additionally switch the lens to the 'M' mode.

8. The minimum focusing distance is 45 cm. The maximum ratio when magnified is 1: 6.7. You can’t shoot a macro with this lens, but at the same time it’s easy to shoot small objects.

9. When used on cropped cameras with Nikon DX, the viewing angle will be narrower than at full frame. It will appear that the viewing angle will be equivalent to the lens 75 mm full frame... This allows using the lens on cameras with a cropped matrix without any problems as a good portrait lens. But, please note that in fact Nikon 50 / 1.8G is just a universal fast prime lens, and it is not designed for a portrait. Anyway, the classic focal length for portraits starts at 80 mm.

10. Aperture. Yes, f / 1.8 is great aperture for shooting in low light. The lens can really be used in low light conditions. Well, if you want an even brighter lens, then you need to look at its brothers - Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor and Nikon 50mm f / 1.4D AF Nikkor.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical without hood

This is what the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical looks like after prolonged use

About the picture (photo quality)

The image is sharp already with F / 1.8. Maximum sharpness is achieved in the area of ​​the aperture F / 5.6. The contrast is very good. The lens tolerates back and side light, sometimes it can catch hares. The bokeh of the lens is smooth and smooth, not as rough as that of Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor. When the aperture is closed, the lens makes of luminous objects 14 beam stars. On the open diaphragm, pronounced freezing. Chromatic aberrations quite strong up to F2.8, but this is typical of this kind of lenses. By the way, Nikon 50 / 1.8G for 2013 is Nikon's only fifty dollars using special aspherical element. In general, image quality is on top.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical on Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro Camera

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical on camera Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Sample photos on Nikon D5100

All photos from Nikon D5100 without treatment. Reduced size and imprinted data with EXIF.

You will find many more examples in my post 'Fall 2020 on Nikon D40 and Nikkor 50 / 1.8G'

Sample photos on Nikon D700

In more detail about all-all 50-mm fast autofocus lenses Nikon can read here.

Sample photos on Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Examples on the legendary camera Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro (Nikon F mount) see here.

Video review

Video review available at this link, or embedded below:

Lens prices

Real prices for the lens in online stores can

Conclusions

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical is a good fast prime. Suitable as a budget portrait lens on DX cameras, it has good sharpness and color reproduction. I believe Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical the most optimal fifty dollars in the price \ quality section.

UPDATE: in 2016, a Chinese copy of this lens appeared at a cost 2-3 times lower than the original. See YONGNUO 50mm 1: 1.8 review (YN50mm F1.8N).

If there are any incomprehensible moments on the lens, ask me in the comments.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.

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Comments: 991, on the topic: Review of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Hello everyone! This question has come up)
    If this lens is compared with the same Helios 44m at the same aperture, which lens will have a higher real aperture?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      At this one.
      The 44m and this Nikkor have no problems with real aperture, they correlate well with the F number

      • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

        Thank you 🤝

  • Alexander

    “The viewing angle will appear to be equivalent to a 75mm lens at full frame.”
    and it will also appear that the perspective is equivalent to 75mm at full frame.

    “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck.”

    • Arkady Shapoval

      But at the same time, the depth of field will be like 2.8, so it’s not a duck.

  • Nikita

    In general, I shot with this poltos and a Nikon f80 camera
    The AF accuracy is excellent, focus is always in the center. Point.
    I would like to buy another half a dozen, like how were they made specifically for film? Has anyone compared the colors?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      50 1.8d more rigid according to the picture

  • Yura.N

    Greetings!
    I purchased this fifty-kopeck piece bundled with a Nikon D7100, used. 15 tons of mileage, looks like new. Problem: autofocus often blurs (I shoot at the central point), a third of the frames are not focused where the central point was aimed (the lighting is good - during the day on the street, for example). I checked the front-back against the target - it seems not (I changed it back and forth programmatically, it seems that the sharpness is at zero).
    Can you tell me what could be the matter? Is the autofocus sensor dirty? There are a couple of dirt spots on the matrix. Where else to look? I read the comments. Thank you

    • Arkady Shapoval

      what kind of camera?

      • Yura

        so indicated - Nikon D7100

        • Arkady Shapoval

          try different focusing modes (auto, wide zone, zone focusing, etc.) if it’s bad everywhere, then call the service

          • Yura

            So should we suspect the carcass or the lens?
            Is Kyiv off-service worth visiting?

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English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2012/02/obzor-nikon-50-mm-f-1-8-g-af-s/

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