New Lens coming: Nikkor 50mm f1.8G

Looks like this 50mm is really close to being released. It was on the Nikon Imaging site for a couple hours and then taken down.

Confusion: new AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens | Nikon Rumors

What is the difference between that and the 50 1.8D? Sorry if that is a stupid question...

A good question. The D lens does not have the built in motor focusing drive. That means with the D lens you have to have the motor focusing drive built into the body for auto focus. It's designation is AF-D. On the other hand a AF-S lens such as the 35mm 1.8G has a designation of AF-S. The focusing motor drive is built in to the lens and can be used, for auto focus, on camera bodies that do not have the motor built in the body. This lens, 50mm f/1.8G, if it exists at all, will be a AF-S.

I'm assuming it will be a DX lense. Will it be better for macro than the 35?

Indications are it will be a FX lens like the current 50mm f/1.8D. The FX angle of view will be 47 degrees. The angle of view for the DX is 31 degrees and 30 seconds. With a quick glance of the specs the one most notable difference is that the current D lens is a f/22 for the smallest opening. The G lens will have a f/16. The focus distance of the D lens is 1.5 feet and of the G lens will be 1.48 feet. Pretty much the same. However, it may be some time before we see this lens on the market. The disaster in Japan has created a shortage of parts especially in ED lenses.

Am I mistaken or do all the full frame cameras have a focus motor in the body? If they do why would you need to bring out a new FX lens that really only offers something for the DX market-most notabley the 3100 and the 5100? Seems to me the specs would not warrant getting another 50mm lens if you already had one and you had a focus motor for it in the camera. With my D90 and the current 50mm D lens it auto focuses very well and the IQ is great. What would the advantage be of buying a G? Hey that rhymed! LOL

They can build and sell the body for less money without the internal drive. I also understand putting the drive in the lens is also cheaper than building an in body drive. You would never know it by how much they charge for the darn things. So they have good reason, profit wise, to put the drive in the lens and not the body. Also a AF-S lens will focus faster than the AF-D that relies on a internal body drive. Focus speed has to keep up and actually be faster than the high speed shutter release and the least expensive way to do that is to put it in the lens. Nikon still sells bodies with internal motor drives mostly because of the hugh number of older AF-D lenses that are still in use, and even some newer ones still in production. But I rather suspect, in the future all lenses will be the AF-S type.

Thats why I thought it might be a DX, FX is already covered. Looking at the success of the 35mm DX, seemed logical (and profitable) to make a 50mm DX to complement the DX line.

Don't forget that 50mm 1.8 on DX makes a very good and cheap portrait lens (75mm 35 equivalent). This next one would be appropriate for the models that don't have internal body focusing.

HEY GUYS. I heard that there's a new Nikkor 50mm f1.8g coming out. is that true? what's the difference between D and G then? which one would be more expensive? Cause i was close to buy the 50mm f/1.8d. thanks.

Maybe it's true and maybe not. Right now it a rumor. Usually the AF-G lens will be more expensive because it will have the focusing drive built into it. For an explanation of the difference between a D and G lens see response #3 in this thread.

any guesses on pricing?

I would guess in the 35mm G f/1.8 range which is about $199. But that is a SWAG. Alchse, your D7000 has the internal focusing drive so unless you need a very fast focusing lens the 50mm D f/1.8 will auto focus just fine and will be less expensive.

It is suppose to be a FX Lens actually

Thanks Joe - was looking at those on ebay but went one step further and picked up a manual focus e series instead.

I'm still holding out to get my hands on the 35mm 1.8 dx when they start shipping again...

I have that 50mm 1.8D. It is a great lens. Focus is fast and crisp on my D90. I sure don't think the extra $100 would be worth it just to have a focus motor in the lens. The 1.8D is just too good a lens.

True. Nikon press release today.

Evolution Of The Classic: The New AF-S NIKKOR 50mm F/1.8G Lens « Nikon Pressroom

I dont see a price yet though.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens | Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses

Here is more info on the new release. Date and price. June 16th and $220

PDN Pulse » Blog Archive » Nikon Officially Unveils AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens

Spoke to the wife, and if there is some money left over from our Victoria trip in the beginning of June, I can get one. Woohoo approved NAS!!!!!!

Update on the release date is June 2/2011

Nikon Japan announced the release date of the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens | Nikon Rumors