Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8d

THIS OLD-TIMER IS AN ICONIC LITTLE LENS WITH RAZOR-SHARP IMAGE QUALITY

RELEASED: 2002 PRICE NEW: £129/$132 ‘EXCELLENT’ £69/$79 ‘GOOD’ £39/$59

Originally launched for 35mm film cameras, this AF-D type lens enables light metering and automatic exposure control with all Nikon digital SLRS. However, it lacks an internal autofocus motor, so only manual focus is available on entry-level cameras like the D3xxx and D5xxx series models. On higher-range DX format bodies and all fullframe DSLRS, autofocus is driven from an in-camera motor. Image quality is excellent with superb sharpness. It’s wonderfully compact and lightweight yet well-engineered and smartly finished for the price. It’s an ideal lens for popping into a spare corner of your camera bag for occasional use when you’re out and about.

Key points

1. Good coatings

A Super Integrated Coating is applied to improve contrast and colour accuracy.

2. Autofocus drive

A shaft with a slotted head in the mounting plate enables AF drive from cameras with a built-in motor.

3. Aperture ring

For camera-driven aperture control, you need to twist the aperture ring to its narrowest f/22 setting.

Groups/elements: 5/6 Full-frame compatible: Yes Effective focal length (DX): 75mm

Min focus distance: 0.45m Max magnification: 0.15x Autofocus: camera-driven Diaphragm blades: 7 Filter size: 52mm Dimensions (dia x length): 64x39mm

Weight: 155g