If there has ever been demand for a company to produce a single lens, it’s the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 lens. Ever since the Nikon D40 came out (with it’s lack of AF motor), Nikon users have been clamoring for something to replace the staple 50mm f/1.8D lens. Heck, I even wrote an open letter to Nikon last year pleading for this lens with a built-in AF motor.
And, finally, it appears that they have.
Last week, Nikon briefly posted details of the new AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens on its website. (Kudos to Nikon Rumors, which grabbed a screenshot.) The lens is detailed as an FX format lens, which means it will work on every Nikon DSLR from the Nikon D40 and D5100, all the way up to the Nikon D3X.
Of course, the listing of the new lens on Nikon’s website appears to have been a slip-up. That said, if all the data was ready for prime time last week, the official announcement of the lens can’t be too far behind.
If the price is right, this lens could move to the top of the “must-have list” for new Nikon DSLR owners. Hopefully, it will be at or below the $200 range (the current 50mm f/1.8D model is in the $140 range).
If you’re a Nikon shooter, is this a lens you would use? If so, what would you be willing to pay for it?
50 mm f/1.8 I would use on my D300, if the price point is $200 0r less.
The existing f/1.8D will work fine on your D300. It’s cheaper (one supposes, as you will not be buying the silent wave motor in the lens), very sharp, probably lighter, and the older D auto-focus lenses often focus faster due to the more powerful motor in the camera. The D lens also has an aperture ring on the lens which the G lenses lack. The real difference is the ability to over-ride auto-focus immediately by just turning the focus ring on the AF-S lenses rather than having to flip the switch on the camera to disengage auto-focus with the D lenses and perhaps forgetting to turn it back on. The D lenses do have old school cred but this does not show up in your pictures.
All told, if you have only used zoom lenses get one of these or another prime and learn how to use it. I thoroughly believe you will become a better photographer.
I have the current 1.8.D model and shoot with a Nikon D90. What’s the difference for me?
That one piece of aspherical lens element is going to make a difference.
Will this be working on my D3000.
If the new lens is sharp (and I mean really edge-to-edge sharp) with all apertures above F8 as working apertures – then I would gladly pay whatever they think is reasonable.
Camera bodies come and go – but a sharp lens – is for life.
Yes. This will work (autofocus) with your D3000 and up.
Never mind lenses……..LETS GET THAT D800 going…or Canon will take over the market
I doubt that this will be < $200. It's an FX format lens. DX users have the 35mm f1.8, which is meant to be the standard, normal fast prime (it's really 52mm). This will probably be around the same price as the 35mm, to distinguish it from the AF-D 1.8, but it's got to be a bit cheaper than the AF-D 1.4.