Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Lens - Is it good with D5100 Model ?

Hello Nikonites,

Am using D5100 SLR since 1 year now, was using it with default lens given while purchasing (18-55mm lens).

Now, thinking to buy a new lens to improvise my learning. Though am still in the learning phase. Just wanted to know if Lens : Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Lens is good with Nikkon D5100. I understand from googling it that Auto-Focus will not be working. If anybody already used/using it, do you have any other pros/cons to share?

Many thanks in Advance for your reply.

I have one that I use on my D700. It's a great lens. Manual focusing isn't that much of an effort. Maybe we've all gotten a little lazy. It'll be a good workout for your fingers.

i have that lens and yes, it will not auto focus on the 5100. You really have to get the hang of manual focus and seeing that dot in the bottom left hand of your viewfinder. It is great lens for the price and you will be happy with the results. I managed to get pictures of my daughter on her bike with it - tricky since she was moving and it is manual focus. The only downside i can tell you about, is if you need to take a picture really fast.

I would recommend you getting a G version, and keep the AF, yes, I manual focus a lot, but really, there are times that AF is great, so,, why cripple yourself. save up a bit more and get the compatible lens.

Thanks for the replies!

@ stmv : Are you mentioning about this lens - AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G ?

sbkhbk said:

Thanks for the replies!

@ stmv : Are you mentioning about this lens - AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G ?

Click to expand...

Yes, that is the one stmv is talking about.

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sbkhbk said:

Thanks for the replies!

@ stmv : Are you mentioning about this lens - AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G ?

Click to expand...

I have the NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G AF-S FX Prime lens and love it. I used it on my D3100 and will use it on my D90 when it arrives. And if I ever go full frame, I will be able to use it there as well, without any MP reduction. It is absolutely the best $200 I have ever spent on photography gear!

@ mr2_serious : But am very curios to know what difference it makes between those 2 lenses ? Is it just about the compatibility (Manual focus in AF Nikkor D & Auto Focus in AF-S Nikkor G) ? Because i just want to be clear about the difference it makes as i can see that AF-S G's cost is double when compared to other lens.

Thanks in Advance.

sbkhbk said:

@ mr2_serious : But am very curios to know what difference it makes between those 2 lenses ? Is it just about the compatibility (Manual focus in AF Nikkor D & Auto Focus in AF-S Nikkor G) ? Because i just want to be clear about the difference it makes as i can see that AF-S G's cost is double when compared to other lens.

Thanks in Advance.

Click to expand...

The two lenses are compared in this review - Nikon 50mm f/1.8G Review

sbkhbk said:

@ mr2_serious : But am very curios to know what difference it makes between those 2 lenses ? Is it just about the compatibility (Manual focus in AF Nikkor D & Auto Focus in AF-S Nikkor G) ? Because i just want to be clear about the difference it makes as i can see that AF-S G's cost is double when compared to other lens.

Thanks in Advance.

Click to expand...

I think you need to keep "double the cost" in perspective. That would be significant in many cases, but $100 vs $200 for a lens? You are not getting double the IQ, but you are getting a slight improvement over something that is already great. In perspective, I would say auto focus is worth the extra $100 alone, even without a significant IQ improvement.

cnyram said:

I think you need to keep "double the cost" in perspective. That would be significant in many cases, but $100 vs $200 for a lens? You are not getting double the IQ, but you are getting a slight improvement over something that is already great. In perspective, I would say auto focus is worth the extra $100 alone, even without a significant IQ improvement.

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I totally agree,

I kept my Nikkor 50mm AF f/1.8 Lens from my old SLR and appreciate its small size when compared to the 18-55mm "kit" lens. I don't mind the manual focus at all.

This may sound weird, but I also like the clean, unadulterated perspective that comes with a 50mm focal length. I still enjoy the kit lens and use it often, but I have found that it can make me a lazy photographer. Instead of walking around to get the best compostion, I just stand where I am, adjust the focal length and fire off a shot. Then later, when looking at my shots I see too much of the distorted and uncreative photo perspective that comes from overuse of the kit lens.

Just my $0.02.

I took these shots with old my 50mm f/1.8 at a car show today, one close up and one far away. I should add that I took a bazillion shots over 25 years with this lens on my SLR. The focus action now feels a tiny bit "loose", but it still takes a clear photo without a problem.

Not in my opinion I would get the G and if you want it,you have instant manual focus when you want it...

The 18-55mm "kit" lens has an on/off switch for the AF on the lens barrell .... I just forget that it's there.

If you're unsure, then don't spend a lot of money,.

Look a this,
http://nikonites.com/products/wide-angle-6/af-s-dx-nikkor-35mm-f18g-13/
The DX 35mm is equivalent to the 50mm fx, but at a fraction of the price. It's my portrait prime and it's a super lens. If you like this, then think if replacing it..,but start with this and you'll be a happy photographer.


Patrick
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Patrick Molloy said:

If you're unsure, then don't spend a lot of money,.

Look a this,
AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G - Nikon Product Database
The DX 35mm is equivalent to the 50mm fx, but at a fraction of the price. It's my portrait prime and it's a super lens. If you like this, then think if replacing it..,but start with this and you'll be a happy photographer.


Patrick
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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The 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens is a great lens, but for just $20 more you can get the 50mm f/1.8G AF-S FX lens which is a fantastic lens and IMO just a tad bit sharper than the 35mm. I picked up my 50mm f/1.8G AF-S FX lens for just $216.95 on Amazon, compared to $196.95 on Amazon, for the 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens
AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G - Nikon Product Database

I am using the AF-S version and use it for almost everything. Love that lens.

madcapmagishion said:

The 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens is a great lens, but for just $20 more you can get the 50mm f/1.8G AF-S FX lens which is a fantastic lens and IMO just a tad bit sharper than the 35mm. I picked up my 50mm f/1.8G AF-S FX lens for just $216.95 on Amazon, compared to $196.95 on Amazon, for the 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens
AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G - Nikon Product Database

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Not to downplay your experience with the 50mm but I've been running with the 35mm and been thrilled with it (based on recommendations here). I live in a 2 bedroom condo with kids and of course space and light is sometimes limited so to throw the 35mm on there and (carefully) shoot at 1.8 has been amazing for me. 50mm would be a bit rough and I might have missed some shots that I've otherwise gotten and enjoyed. With all of that said - I've never read a damn thing bad about the 50mm and the sharpness, so I bow to that. It's just the flexibility of the range on 35mm + the 1.8 that makes me grin when I open up Lightroom sometimes.