Focal Length Multiplier

As I understand it, the D90 is NOT a full-frame SLR, and as such it multiplys the image by 1.5 (?) to compensate for the lack. Now I was reading about prime lenses because I am really starting to get cracking with my photography and it has been stated that the 50mm prime lens is the normal "human eye" range for full-frame slrs, and that due to the focal length multiplier in smaller sensors the 50mm in actuality is 85mm. This I understand. What I don't understand is this: when I peep through my viewfinder and set my zoom at 85mm, the image I see is definately not human eye length and 50mm definately is. Yet according to what I have read this shouldnt be so. Is this because the zoom lens has been made in order to compensate for the focal length multiplier already? Wouldnt it then mean that all D lens compensate for this aswell?

The lens I am getting is the 50mm f/1.4D

cheers guys

ahh okay. thanks a bunch blueiron. wow, that really took alot of juggling to get it around my skull. so it doesnt matter which sensor (full or cropped) the lens goes on, the focal length stays the same....its the surface area at the same distance that changes. So in order for a cropped sensor to capture the same surface area as a full sensor, the distance from the subject has to be lengthened which would result in the smaller sensor loosing focal length!......shit! so would that mean, if a 35mm is used on a small sensor, the standing distance from the subject would be the same as a 50mm on a full frame......but the image will still be cropped? so does that also mean, that a lens made for a small sensor, would have a cropped image on a full frame?

ie the 50mm f/1.4D

which lens to get then, hmmmm. dont why I'm pondering coz i've already bought the 50mm

okay also, would the image taken by the 35mm on the cropped sensor (at the same distance as a 50mm full frame) be the same as the image taken by the 50mm on the cropped sensor at its extended distance? geez my brain

I try not to get too complicated myself with this cropped image 1.5 multiplier stuff,,.
All I know is I found that the new Nikon f1.8 35mm AF-S lens gives me the equivalent of my old 'standard' 50mm film lenses, because when a 35mm focal length is used on a DX type camera it takes photos at the 53mm perspective!
(And I suspect this is probably why Nikon made this first DX 'standard' prime in this size?)
And if I wanted a 75mm close-up type lens for my DX type D40 camera, then I would buy me a 50mm...