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According provided by Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S lens many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar Nikon lenses for Nikon Z mount.

Browse Navigation:

1. In short
2. History
3. All Nikon Nikkor AF XNUMXs
4. Main Specifications
5. Assembly
6. Focusing
7. Image quality
8. Sample Photos
9. My experience
10. All Nikon Z lenses
11. Prices
12. Results
13. User Comments
14. Add your review / comment or question on the lens

In this review, I will refer to the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S lens as Nikon 50 / 1.8Z.

In short

Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is an excellent fast prime for full frame mirrorless cameras. One of the sharpest autofocus fifty dollars.

Compared to the previous line of SLR lenses, which included Nikon 50 / 1.8G, Nikon 50 / 1.4G и Nikon 58 / 1.4G, the new Nikon 50 / 1.8Z mirrorless has significantly increased open-aperture resolution across the entire field of the frame, and also greatly improved the situation with chromatic aberrations.

The obvious drawbacks are the high cost, strong vignetting at F / 1.8 and the use of F / 1.8 instead of F / 1.4.

History

The lens was announced on August 23, 2018. Along with the Nikon 50 / 1.8Z, lenses were introduced Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm 1: 4 S и Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm 1: 1.8 S... These three lenses were the first to be released for the new Nikon Z mount.

Nikon has a long history of making fifty-dollar lenses.

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:
   
   • MIJ (MADE IN JAPAN)
   • NJ (NIKON JAPAN)
   • MIC (MADE IN CHINA)
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'.

All Nikon 50-58 / 1.4 / 1.2 autofocus lenses

1. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4 AF Nikkor (first version, MK I) - the lens was produced only in Japan from 1986 to 1991
2. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4 AF Nikkor (second version, MK II, also known as the 'N', or the 'NEW' version) - the lens was only available in Japan from 1991 to 1995
3. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4D AF Nikkor (third version, MKIIIbetter known as 'D'-version) - the lens is available from 1995 to this day. There are two subversions that are no different.
   • MIJ (MADE IN JAPAN)
   • MIC (MADE IN CHINA)
4. Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM (fourth version, MKIVbetter known as 'G' version) - the lens is only available in China from 2008 to this day.
5. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 58mm 1: 1.4G Nano Crystal Coat SWM Aspherical (version better known as'58/1.4') - the lens is only available in Japan from 2013 to this day.
6. Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm 1: 0.95 S Noct - The lens is available from 2019 to this day. Premium Lens for Mirrorless Cameras Nikon Z... It does not have automatic focus, but has a record aperture. Complex optical design with 17 elements in 10 groups, with 4 ED elements and 3 aspherical elements.
7. 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
8. Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.4 - the lens has been produced since 2024 to this day. Complex optical design with 10 elements in 7 groups, with 1 aspherical element

Main technical characteristics of Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S:

Review Instance Name	Near the front lens: Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S ø62 On the body: Nikon + 50 / 1.8 S + Nikkor S
Basic properties	Z - the lens is designed for mirrorless cameras with Nikon Z mount S - a line of professional lenses of the Nikon Nikkor S-line series Programmable focus ring FX (for Nikon FX) - Lens designed for full frame Nikon FX cameras STM (STepping Motor) - built-in focusing stepping motor G (Gelded) - no aperture control ring, focus distance transmission to the camera E (Electromagnetic diaphragm) - electromagnetic diaphragm ED (Extra low dispersion) - the use of special low-dispersion elements in the optical scheme AS (ASPHERICAL) - the use of special aspherical elements in the optical scheme IF (Internal focusing) - internal focusing A-M (Auto-Manual) - focus mode switch with support for M / A (autofocus with manual override) N (Nano crystal coat) - nanocrystalline optical antireflection SIC (Nikon Super Iintegrated Coating) - special integrated optical enlightenment RD (Rounded Diaphragm) - rounded petals aperture Rubber basket (Rubber lens mount seal) - dustproof and waterproof mount seal Protected enclosure Small Focus breathing effect
Front Filter Diameter	62 mm
Focal length	50 mm, EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 75 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x (this is a fixed lens)
Designed by	for Nikon Z digital mirrorless full-frame cameras
Number of aperture blades	9 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark hood attachment / fixing mark
Diaphragm	F / 1.8 to F / 16 The lens is deprived of the aperture control ring, control occurs through the camera menu (analog Nikon G - lens type) or using the focusing ring, which can be reprogrammed to control aperture
MDF	0.4 meters, maximum magnification ratio 1:6.7
The weight	415 grams 411 grams by my measurements (lens itself only) 452 grams according to my measurements (lens with hood and front cap)
Optical design	12 elements in 9 groups: 2 aspherical elements 2ED (Eextra Low Dispersion - low dispersion elements) The image of the optical design is clickable. It is unusual for the front lens to be concave.
Lens hood	Plastic, bayonet type, Nikon HB-90
Manufacturer country	MADE IN THAILAND (The lens is made in Thailand, like the hood)
Production period	From 23 August 2018, 16 September 2020 with a lens Nikon Nikkor Z 50 / 1.2 S
Price	Look at Aliexpress Nikon Store

A standard spoiler about fifty dollars: the creative potential of such about fifty dollars is difficult to overestimate. It is suitable for a wide range of photographic tasks. Many people just want a fast prime, especially in addition to their stock / kit lens. Aperture F / 1.8 three and a half steps wider f / 6.3 aperture, which is used in 'dark' kit lenses at the long end. In numerical terms, this means that the Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is approximately 12 times brighter whale Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm 1: 4-6.3 and whale Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50 1: 3.5-6.3 VR, which at 50 mm focal length use a maximum aperture equal to only 1: 6.3. The calculation in the difference in the relative aperture (count the luminosity) is carried out in an elementary way: (6.3 * 6.3) / (1.8 * 1.8) = 12.25.

Assembly

Assembly is carried out only in Thailand... The lens is pleasant and weighty to the touch, its weight is about 400 grams. Nikon 50 / 1.8Z uses small 62mm filters.

Outwardly, this is a rather large fifty dollars, in size it even resembles giant HD PENTAX-D FA * 1: 1.4 50mm SDM AW DFA * и Tokina Opera 50mm F1.4FF.

The focusing ring is metal, wide. The lens barrel is very well made.

There is a bayonet mount mark on the body and a mark for quick attachment of the hood. The lens uses a plastic hood HB-90, which is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. The hood is large enough. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. In this position, access to the focusing ring is slightly lost. The hood has a grooved ring that makes it easier to manipulate.

The diaphragm consists of 9 blades; at all aperture values, a fairly round aperture is obtained.

Overall build quality is at a high level.

Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm 1: 1.8 S is a rugged lens and it has bayonet mount rubber.

Focus and aperture control

To focus, the lens uses a special stepper focus motor STM (STepping Motor).

During autofocus, the motor performs its work quite quietly, but there is still noise.

It's important: There is noise from the electromagnetic diaphragm drive.

It's important: during aperture change, the aperture blades close in jerks, with a characteristic beat (close / open a little more than necessary, and then return to the required value).

It's important: The iris cannot be closed smoothly, which is important for video recording. For example, with Viltrox 56 / 1.4 AF a very smooth iris control can be achieved.

The autofocus speed of the lens is fast, but not lightning fast, nevertheless closer to average than very fast. The focusing speed is sufficient for comfortable work in most photographic tasks. I expected a much higher focusing speed, perhaps the speed depends a little on the camera used and the firmware of the lens itself, as well as the camera settings. In the Nikon Z menu (most likely other similar cameras), you can set the autofocus speed for shooting video (setting g4).

On a Nikon Z camera with autofocus, I didn't have any particular problems. Eye / face detection works well.

The focusing ring is made of metal (it still looks like plastic to the touch). When the extreme positions are reached, the ring does not abut, but continues to rotate freely. Manual aiming is quite convenient.

It's important: The lens uses an electronic focusing ring. With a sharp / fast rotation of the focusing ring just 45 degrees, you can change the focusing distance from MDF to infinity or vice versa. With a smooth / slow rotation of the focusing ring, the transition from MDF to infinity can take several turns of the focusing ring. You get used to this state of affairs quickly and intuitively.

Lens has internal focus, the front lens remains stationary during focusing. Optical design and focusing are designed to avoid loss of image quality at different focusing distances. You can use all kinds of filters without any problems.

The minimum focusing distance is 40 cm, and the maximum zoom ratio is 1: 6.7, which is quite good for a fifty-dollar camera.

There is a lens housing focus mode switch 'A - M' (auto focus / manual focus). In 'A' mode, the lens supports continuous manual focus control Nikon M / A.

It's important: The focus ring is programmable (is a control ring). On a Nikon Z camera, it can be assigned to the following functions:

1. Focus mode (M / A)
2. Diaphragm
3. Correction exposure
4. ISO sensitivity
5. no

It's important: The control ring changes aperture, ISO or compensation very dramatically exposure... Rotating a small angle immediately leads to very drastic changes in the selected parameters. For example, if you turn the control ring lightly, the ISO value can fly from 100 to 2000 units. To smoothly adjust the selected parameters, turn the control ring very, very smoothly and carefully. It makes you nervous and uncomfortable. Perhaps this will be corrected in the subsequent firmware of the camera.

Nikon 50 / 1.8Z has a very weak and almost imperceptible 'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in the angle of view during focusing). Nikon Z is a great solution for video shooting.

Focus Shift (focus shift, changing focus distance due to iris)

The lens transmits the distance to the subject in the camera and is Nikon D-lens equivalent... Focus distance transmission has a positive effect on metering performance, especially during flash operation.

Image quality

Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is a very sharp and contrast lens with low distortion. The only major drawback is the perceptible vignetting. At F / 1.8 in the center of the frame, the picture is just wonderful and sags very little in the corners and edges.

Sharpness

• in the center of the frame at F / 1.8 in terms of resolution, the lens is very good, with closing the aperture to F / 2.8, the sharpness slightly increases, after which it practically does not change to F / 9-F / 11
• there is a slight drop in sharpness towards the edges of the frame at F / 1.8, but even at the edges and corners of the image it shows good sharpness already at F / 1.8
• good / excellent resolution in angles on covered apertures after f / 2.8
• very low coma

Distortion

• very weak barrel distortion is present
• the overall level of distortion is at a level typical for such high-quality lenses
• the nature of distortion is unified, easily corrected in the editor

Vignetting

• strong vignetting at F / 1.8 (at first I even thought it was a color shift)
• vignetting is enhanced with focus towards infinity
• vignetting disappears almost completely at values ​​after F / 4
• vignetting is easily fixable in the editor

Aberration

• chromatic aberration very well corrected, even at the edges and corners of the image
• there is a slight spherochromatism, which almost completely disappears when aperture is set to F / 2.8

Rest

• the lens can catch a small amount of backlight glare and a slight loss of contrast
• you can get the effect of an 18-ray star
• in many scenes, the lens can create nice bokeh
• at the edges and corners of the frame, the discs of confusion are lemon-shaped (cat's eyes)
• due to the use of aspherics, sometimes characteristic concentric bulbous circles-grooves can be traced on the discs of confusion

For Nikon 50 / 1.8Z there is a lens profile in popular RAW converters, which makes it easier to automatically correct some distortions.

Sample photos on Nikon Z 7

Sample photos were taken using a Nikon Z7 camera (firmware 3.10), JPEG straight from the camera. Image quality enhancement features were disabled: vignetting control, diffraction correction, auto distortion control, noise reduction for long exposures, noise reduction for high ISOs. Standard Picture Control without any changes.

Original JPEG '.JPG' photos can be view and / or download from this link (Google Drive, 50 photos). Raw '.NEF' RAW photos can beview and / or download from this link (Google Drive, 18 photos).

My experience

In general, the Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is similar to Carl Zeiss Sonnar FE 1.8 / 55 ZA T * (Sony SEL55F18Z) and may well compete with it in terms of the quality of the output image. Let me remind you that Sonnar FE 1.8 / 55 ZA T * is one of the sharpest such XNUMX-ruble autofocus lenses in existence.

It's a little strange that there are fifty and about fifty rubles for the Nikon Z mount with F / 0.95, F / 1.2, F / 1.8, but there is no such widespread set as 50 / 1.4. The influence of the Canon R system seems to be felt here.

A quality fifty is a very important lens in the life of many photographers. The Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is optically very good, perhaps its picture does not have some kind of mesmerizing charm, but technically the lens shows excellent image quality.

Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is noticeably better Nikon 50 / 1.4G, especially around the periphery of the frame.

By topic I advise you to look to the section about everything 'autofocus fifty rubles for Nikon'.

All Nikon Z Lenses

List of all 'Nikon Nikkor Z' full-frame lenses for mirrorless cameras with Nikon Z mount

Fixes:

1. Nikon Nikkor Z 20 mm 1:1.8 S [February 2020, BHphotovideo]
2. Nikon Nikkor Z 24 mm 1:1.8 S [September 2019, BHphotovideo]
3. Nikon Nikkor Z 26 mm 1:2.8 [January 2023, BHphotovideo]
4. Nikon Nikkor Z 28 mm 1:2.8 [October 2021, BHphotovideo]
5. Nikon Nikkor Z 28 mm 1:2.8 SE [June 2021, BHphotovideo]
6. Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm 1:1.8 S [August 2018, BHphotovideo]
7. Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm 1:1.4 [June 2024, BHphotovideo]
8. Nikon Nikkor Z 40 mm 1:2 [September 2021, BHphotovideo]
9. Nikon Nikkor Z 40 mm 1:2 SE [November 2022, BHphotovideo]
10. Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm 1:1.2 S [September 2020]
11. Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm 1:1.4 [September 2024]
12. Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm 1:1.8 S [August 2018, BHphotovideo]
13. Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm 1:2.8 MC [June 2021, BHphotovideo]
14. Nikon Nikkor Z 58 mm 1:0.95 S Nod [October 2019, BHphotovideo]
15. Nikon Nikkor Z 85 mm 1:1.2 S [January 2023, BHphotovideo]
16. Nikon Nikkor Z 85 mm 1:1.8 S [July 2019, BHphotovideo]
17. Nikon Nikkor Z 105 mm 1:2.8 S VR MC [June 2021, BHphotovideo]
18. Nikon Nikkor Z 135 mm 1:1.8 S full [September 2023, BHphotovideo]
19. Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm 1:2.8 S VR TC [January 2022, BHphotovideo]
20. Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm 1:4.5 S VR [June 2022, BHphotovideo]
21. Nikon Nikkor Z 600 mm 1:4 S VR TC [November 2022, BHphotovideo]
22. Nikon Nikkor Z 600 mm 1:6.3 S VR PF [October 2023, BHphotovideo]
23. Nikon Nikkor Z 800 mm 1:6.3 S VR PF [April 2022, BHphotovideo]

Zuma:

1. Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm 1:2.8 S [September 2020, BHphotovideo]
2. Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm 1:4 S [January 2019, BHphotovideo]
3. Nikon Nikkor Z 17-28mm 1:2.8 [September 2022, BHphotovideo]
4. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm 1: 4-6.3 [July 2020, BHphotovideo]
5. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm 1:4 S [August 2018, BHphotovideo]
6. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm 1:2.8 S [February 2019, BHphotovideo]
   
7. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm 1:4 S [October 2021, BHphotovideo]
8. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm 1: 4-6.3 VR [February 2020, BHphotovideo]
9. Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75mm 1:2.8 [December 2021, BHphotovideo]
10. Nikon Nikkor Z 28-400mm 1: 4-8 VR [March 2024, BHphotovideo]
11. Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180mm 1:2.8 [June 2023, BHphotovideo]
12. Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm 1:2.8 S VR [January 2020, BHphotovideo]
13. Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 S VR [October 2021, BHphotovideo]
14. Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600mm 1: 5.6-6.3 VR [June 2023, BHphotovideo]

Third party autofocus full-frame lenses for Nikon Z mount

1. felttrox: 16/1.8, 20/2.8, 24/1.8, 28/1.8, 35/1.8, 40/2.5, 50/1.8, 85/1.8
2. Tamron: 90/2.8, 28-75/2.8G2, 35-150/2-2.8, 50-400/4.5-6.3, 70-300/4.5-6.3, 150-500/5-6.7
3. yongnuo: 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8
4. Meike: 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 85/1.4
5. TTArtisan: 32/2.8, 75/2
6. 7Artisans: 50/1.8, 85/1.8
7. AstrHori: 85/1.8
8. laowa: 10/2.8

Nikon 50 / 1.8Z price

You can look, for example, at Aliexpress Nikon Store.

Results

Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is very good. The fifty is a very important lens in the bag of many photographers. With the new Nikon Z mount, Nikon has taken 50 / 1.8 class XNUMXs to a whole new level of optical performance. However, with the Nikon FTZ adapter, the lenses Nikon 50 / 1.8G и Nikon 50 / 1.4G for many photo tasks, they still remain relevant solutions.

13 main advantages of Nikon 50 / 1.8Z:

1. professional lens Nikon Nikkor S-line series
2. the optical scheme uses 2 ED and 3 ASP elements
   
3. internal focusing, support for M / A mode
4. focus mode switch
5. programmable control / focus ring
6. very weak Focus Breathing effect
7. MDF is only 40 centimeters (better than many fifty dollars)
8. nine aperture blades
9. protected case (also with a rubber bayonet seal)
10. quality assembly
11. included hood
12. excellent resolution already from F / 1.8 and across the entire field of the frame
13. very low level of chromatic aberration (both transverse and longitudinal)

13 major disadvantages of the Nikon 50 / 1.8Z:

1. rather high price tag (about $ 500 for Nikon 50 / 1.8Z, for example, against $ 200 for Nikon 50 / 1.8G)
2. large enough
3. F / 1.8 is used (for example, in Nikon 50 / 1.4G used f / 1.4, while lenses have a similar cost)
4. focusing speed is not very high (maybe the speed depends a little on the camera and settings)
5. rather large weight (400 grams with a tail for the Nikon 50 / 1.8Z versus 280 grams for Nikon 50 / 1.4G)
6. no built-in image stabilizer (e.g. Tamron 45 / 1.8 VC he is)
7. poor implementation of a programmable control ring (the ring changes parameters in jerks)
8. the beating of the diaphragm during its change (the petals have an additional 'jerky' stroke)
9. there is no possibility of smooth adjustment of the diaphragm (for example, as in Viltrox 56 / 1.4 AF)
10. slight noise from the focusing motor and electromagnetic diaphragm drive
11. no scale for focusing distances, depth of field, marks for working in the infrared spectrum (for Nikon 50 / 1.2Z there is an information display and an additional control ring)
12. MADE IN THAILAND inscriptions on the lens barrel and hood spoil the psychological impression of the Nikkor S series lens
13. strong vignetting at F / 1.8

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.