50 mm fixed lenses are very very popular, they have excellent aperture, image quality and price. There is even a phrase among the people: 'Every photographer should have fifty dollars'.
Nikon has been producing autofocus fifty dollars since 1986, and about 50 models are included in the 10-mm fast lens line.
All fifty dollars Nikon Nikkor can be divided into advanced lenses with aperture F / 1.4 and simpler with aperture F / 1.8. The difference in relative aperture between f / 1.8 and f / 1.4 is 1.65 times, this equals approximately 2/3 of the stop.
Line 50 / 1.8
- Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor (first version, MK I) - the lens was produced only in Japan from 1986 to 1990. There are two subversions that are no different:
- MKI first... Weighing 210 grams. Easy to distinguish by the screw under the '1: 1.8' label. September 1986 to March 1987. Serial numbers start with 2
- MKI second. Weighing 165 grams. Easily distinguished by the lack of a screw under the '1: 1.8' label. 1987 to 1990.Serial numbers start with 3
- Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor (second version, MK II) - MK II version was produced from 1990 to 2001. MK II differs from MK I clamp aperture, rubberized focus ring, depth of field scale, focus distance scale. The lenses MK I and MKII are visually different from each other. Optically, MK I and MK II are identical. Version MK II exists in three sub-versions - MIJ, MIC and NJ.
- Subversion Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor MIJ (MADE IN JAPAN) - the first lots of the lens MK II produced in Japan
- Subversion Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor MIC (MADE IN CHINA) - all subsequent lenses MK II made in china
- Subversion Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8 AF Nikkor NJ (Nikon Japan) - the version was made in China, but instead of the inscription 'MADE IN CHINA' it was written more cunning 'Nikon Japan'
- 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. The optical version is almost identical to the f / 1.8 MK II and f / 1.8 MK I. Added the ability to transfer the focusing distance to the camera, enlightenment optimized for working with digital cameras
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical (fourth version, MKIVbetter known as 'G' version) - the lens has been produced since 2011, all lenses are made in China. The lens lost the aperture control ring and got built-in focus motor SWM Has an updated optical scheme using an aspherical element.
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical Special Edition (fifth version, MKVbetter known as version 'Special Edition') - the lens has been produced since the fall of 2013, nothing but the appearance and a different focusing distance scale does not differ from the previous model Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical. The lens is made in the old classic style to complete the Nikon Df camera.
- Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S (version for mirrorless cameras, MKVI) - the lens has been available since the summer of 2018. New design for 12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 Nikon ED low dispersion elements and 2 Nikon AS aspherical elements. Only suitable for cameras with Nikon Z mount.
This is how lenses look like in pairs - Nikon 50mm f / 1.8 AF Nikkor MK I and Nikon 50mm f / 1.8 AF Nikkor:

Nikon AF 50mm F1.8 MK I, MK II
Nikon 50mm f / 1.8D AF Nikkor and Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor

Nikon F1.8D AF 50mm and Nikon F1.8G AF-S 50mm
And so it looks like the modified Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor Special Edition

View Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f / 1.8G (Special Edition)
And the lens for Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S mirrorless cameras
Ruler 50 / 1.4 / 1.2 / 0.95
- Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4 AF Nikkor (first version, MK I) - the lens was produced from 1986 to 1991. All lenses of the f / 1.4 MK I version were produced only in Japan.
- Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4 AF Nikkor (second version, MK II) - the lens was produced from 1991 to 1995, differs from the MK I in the aperture lock, the color of the focusing distance scale and the rubberized focusing ring. Optically the same as the first model. MK II was also made only in Japan.
- Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor (third version, MKIIIbetter known as 'D'-version) - the lens has been produced since 1995 to this day. The lens has the same optical design as f / 1.4 MK I, f / 1.4 MK II, but can transmit focusing distance information to the camera. This version exists in two sub-versions - MIJ and MIC.
- Subversion Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor MIJ (MADE IN JAPAN) - the first Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor MKIII lenses were made in Japan
- Subversion Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor MIC (MADE IN CHINA) - subsequent lenses Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor MKIII were made in China, the differences between Japanese and Chinese versions are described in detail in the review here.
- Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM (fourth version, MKIVbetter known as 'G' version) - the lens has been produced since 2008 to this day. All lenses are made in China. The lens has an updated optical design, SWM focusing motor.
- Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 58mm 1: 1.4G Nano Crystal Coat SWM Aspherical (better known as 58 / 1.4) - The lens has been produced since 2013 to this day. All lenses are manufactured in Japan. The focal length is not 50, but 58 mm.
- Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm 1: 0.95 S Noct - The lens has been produced from 2019 to the present day. Premium lens for mirrorless cameras Nikon Z. It does not have auto focus, but it has a record aperture... Complex optical design with 17 elements in 10 groups, with 4 ED elements and 3 aspherical elements.
- Nikon Nikkor Z 50 / 1.2 S - The lens has been produced from 2020 to the present day. Professional S-line lens for mirrorless cameras Nikon Z... Complex optical design with 17 elements in 15 groups, with 2 ED elements and 3 aspherical elements.
This is how lenses look like in pairs - Nikon 50mm f / 1.4 AF Nikkor MK I and Nikon 50mm f / 1.4 AF Nikkor MK II:

Nikon 50mm f / 1.4 AF Nikkor, MK I and MK II
Nikon 50mm f / 1.4D AF Nikkor and Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor:

Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor and Nikon 50mm f / 1.4D AF Nikkor
Below is the plate with the main technical characteristics of all autofocus models.

All autofocus fifty dollars from Nikon
It's funny, despite the fact that fifty dollars have been improving for a very long time, but only in 2011 did the lens appear Nikon 50mm f / 1.8GAF-S Nikkorwhose optical design is used aspherical element. Also, there is not a single autofocus fifty dollars that has internal focus. And it’s worth noting that all new lenses f/1.8G AF-S и f/1.4G AF-S made only in China, the true Japanese is only AF f / 1.4.
Who doesn't like the fact that Nikon does not have real professional lenses, let them turn their attention to the 'professional' about fifty dollars Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 58mm 1: 1.4G Nano Crystal Coat SWM Aspherical.
For Nikon, wonderful third-party autofocus lenses-fifty lenses from third-party manufacturers are still available:
Personal experience
Personally, I used cheap for a long time Nikon 50mm f /1.8DAF Nikkor under various extreme conditions in hiking, where you do not need excess weight, this cheap fifty dollars is not a pity to spoil. In the studio lens f/1.8D also very good. A Nikon 50mm f /1.4G AF-S Nikkor use for shooting in low light conditions, for example, in temples, I like him aperture and nice bokeh due to the 9 blade aperture. To lovers who are looking for their first high-speed creative tool, I I advise Nikon 50mm f /1.8G AF-S Nikkor, since it works on amateur cameras without a focus motor, and also has the best price / quality indicators.
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.com.Conclusions
Nikon has a lot of autofocus 50 mm fixed lenses. Many amateur photographers do not know that older versions of AF lenses (NON-D and NON-G type) work just as well on modern digital SLR cameras with a focus motor as their brand new AF-S brothers. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is advisable to use class AF-S lenses on cameras without a focus motor.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Arkady, in the phrase that the difference between f / 1.8 f / 1.4 is 1.65 times, this is a little more than a half stop, you probably meant a little more than half a stop?
Thank you, Arkady, for your wonderful articles! I am a beginner child photographer, I have d90, while I photograph walks in sunny weather, but I want to try completely newborns at home. I have a choice between 50mm 1.8 d and 1.4d. I want to save money, but I'm afraid for the quality of the pictures, tell me, will 1.8 pull when lighting an ordinary apartment? Thank you in advance!
1.8 and even 1.4 without high iso in an apartment can often be useless. 1.4d is not that expensive, and noticeably better for 1.8d.
It seemed that 1.4D, less sharp than 1.8D. Carcass D800. Checked on aperture 2.8
but what do you think Arkady? what, will give a picture of the best quality 50 1.4 d or 50 1.8 J, thanks, with respect Irina
Why, under the same shooting conditions (35 / 1.8zh and 50 / 1.8zh), fifty kopecks gives lighter pictures?
Arkady, in your article it is written:
The difference in aperture between f / 1.8 and f / 1.4 is 1.65 times, a little more than a half stop.
in my opinion you were mistaken with the feet ... it seems to me not one and a half feet, but two-thirds of the way
because the difference between 1.4 and 2 is exactly one stop.
correct if I'm wrong
Fixed
I had a Chinese 50 / 1.8D, after half a year it started to wash, structurally this lens is very weak. Initially, there was a play in the focusing ring, but this did not affect the quality of the pictures, after half a year the play became larger and freer, it is even possible that raising the shutter began to confuse focus. I sold it inexpensively, which I do not regret. There is no more desire to take Chinese cheap glasses. Here is a used Japanese AF 50 / 1.4, (it is possible without D), in good condition - I would definitely buy it! The Chinese also sometimes managed to front, I already thought to carry the carcass in the adjustment, but after attaching the 80-200 / 2.8D I made sure that the carcass was in perfect order, that's what a pure Japanese means!
Hello Arkady!
I was also touched by the topic about poltiynik, since the other day I bought a Canon 70D and I want to feel all the charm of a brand-new technique. I read that 50 is good because it conveys the image just as the human eye sees it, more naturally. But on crop it will distort, as if by approximation (50x1.6 = 80) If you take 35, then, as you wrote, there will be distortions of a different nature. So what is it then valuable for crop, only aperture?
I read, read and did not find the answer to one question. If you put a Nikon 7100mm f / 50D AF NIKKOR lens on the d1.4 DX camera, and then a Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor lens, then we will see the image frame borders are the same or different ?Thanks!
The same. This is a general question that does not apply to the article.
Thank you for your work.
Hello! help with the choice for Nikon D3100 I want to buy a fifty dollars, the choice between 1,4g and 1,8g? Both are praised, but for crop, can I appreciate 1,4g on my camera, is it worth it to overpay?
Tell me, how big is the difference between lenses made in Japan and China? Is it worth taking a Japanese lens instead of a new Chinese one, for example 50 \ 1.4D made in Japan instead of 50 \ 1.4G?
Hello Arkady, I have Nikon d5100, I want to photograph weddings, now I only have a whale lens 18-55 and 18-200, I think the next one should be a fifty dollars, if so, tell me which one or some other one I recommend for these purposes. Thank you
Good day! Please tell me which lens you would recommend a fifty-fifty lens for the Nikon 3100 camera, I now have 18-55 kit, bought it in the kit, as I understand it, not all portrait painters will fit this model, but it’s difficult to choose which one to start with. Thanks.
I have the same question about Nikon d3100, but I don’t see an answer to it. Tell me which one is better to take. Thank you. 1,8 or 1,4. Thanks.
Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor - Will be more comfortable and versatile. Both in cost and quality
If you want to purchase the first fast-moving poltik, then Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor is the best option.
So many repetitive questions! The people you before asking a question read the previous comments! There may already be an answer to your question. Thanks to Arkady for the reviews and patience!
Hello Arkady, I would like to start by thanking you for such an invaluable work as creating this site. Not many are ready to devote so much time and effort to such work.
I have a dilemma, they offer to take a fifty dollars, the Nikkor-S Auto 50 mm 1.4 Nippon Kogaku, is attracted by the aperture size and the inscription made in Japan, but pushed away your review of this lens, help me choose between 50mm 1.8 / G AF-S.
Or do you order Helios 81n online?
Thank you in advance.
50mm 1.8 / G AF-S without options.
Thank you for your help in choosing and for your prompt reply.
Sincerely.
Hello! please help with advice- AF Nikkor 50-mm 1.4D or 50mm F / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor ?? for shooting portraits both indoors and outdoors. what will be the difference? (1.4 D is cheaper - should it be?)
Hello Arkady, reading your articles helps a lot, tell me what other literature can be read and is it difficult to focus manually with the Soviet lens? Which is better to take the Soviet lens as a portrait.
Good afternoon!
Tell me which fifty dollars to take for the D7100 so that everything works ...
Serviceable
Nikon 50mm f / 1.4 AF Nikkor (first version, MK I) - the lens was produced from 1986 to 1991. All lenses of f / 1.4 MK I version were produced only in Japan. - 1.4 AF- Select fully, as in MK II. Strongly cuts the eye.
Nikon 50mm f / 1.8D AF Nikkor
Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor
Nikon 50mm f / 1.4D AF NIKKOR - (Nikkor) - stands out from his brothers :)
Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor
Hello!
I have a Nikon 5100. I plan to conduct photo shoots, love stories, weddings. What do you recommend buying for these shootings. I tend to Nikon 50 mm, 1 8 G and 30 mm.
Advise! *)
What do the balls at the end of the table mean?
Thanks! Arkady, for your dedication and extremely clear capacious answers! I have a question how to cope with a NikonD7000 Sigma 50mm / F1.4 EX DG lens on a subject and indoor portraits?
Thanks for the enlightening work!