Nifty Fifty: A Review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens

A nifty fifty lens is one of the most versatile and useful lenses many photographers can have, and given their generally affordable prices, they make a fantastic first upgrade from a kit lens for newer photographers or a backup lens for pros with more established kits. This excellent video review takes a look at Nikon's version of the lens, the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost Photography, this great video review takes a look at the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens. The 50mm f/1.8G comes with a variety of features, including:

  • One aspherical element for reduced spherical aberrations and distortion and increased sharpness and clarity
  • Super Integrated Coating for reduced flares and ghosting
  • Silent Wave Motor for quiet and quiet autofocus suitable for both photo and video work
  • Full-time manual focus override
  • Rounded seven-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh

But beyond those features, the most notable aspect of the 50mm f/1.8G is its price, which is currently under $200. Of course, it will not necessarily compete with higher-priced options, but at less than $200, it certainly delivers respectable results that will make it a fantastic learning tool for budding photographers. Check out the video above for the full review from Frost. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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5 Comments

i just recently received this lens from my father-in-law. Haven't used it yet though.

Just once, I would like to read a review of a 50mm lens that doesn't descend into cliche'-hell and just omits the term "nifty-fifty" from the copy. It's like the reviewer is a puppy with two-peters and thinks everyone needs to hear about it.

I've got a Nikkor 60mm micro lens I call my "trusty sixty". It never fails me.

Everyone needs a Sweet 16.

A 50mm came with my first real camera, a 35mm film Pentax, in 1976.
I found the perspective it afforded boring then and still do.