roger1250's Full Review: Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens
The Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8D is the replacement for the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8 that has been in production since 1985. Anybody that is familiar with Nikon lenses knows that Nikon's 'D' lenses (the 'D' stands for Distance, this means the lens takes the subject's distance from the camera in consideration while setting exposure. This is especially helpful in flash photography.) have been around for quite a while but the old AF 50mm 1.8 non - 'D' has also been around as a less expensive alternative to the AF Nikkor 50mm 1.4D.
I don't know why Nikon decided to update the old 1.8 and give it 'D' technology after 17 years. But I am glad they did and I can only assume that it is because sales finally dropped off for the 1.4D and perhaps there are enough new photographers now that would buy a 50mm prime as a standard lens over the standard zoom lenses that accompany most cameras these days, if only it were cost effective and a 'D'. I also heard a rumor from the sales person I bought this lens from, that Nikon is going to announce an AF-S (AF-S = Auto Focus - Silent Wave motor) Nikkor 50mm of some sort and I wouldn't be surprised if it were also a 'G' lens(A 'G' lens is the new breed of Nikon lens that does not have an aperture ring, all new automatic Nikon cameras have a command dial that is used to change the aperture value of a lens). Perhaps that is what is to become of the AF Nikkor 50mm 1.4D soon. Imagine, a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.4G.
Anyway, having owned the old 50mm 1.8 (non-D version) before I traded it in for one of those standard zoom lenses with 'D' technology. I feel I can offer a good comparison of the old versus new. The construction materials used are the same; polycarbonate lens barrel with a metal lens mount, the lens is still made in China (I don't know anybody that would care about this, but in case you do I have to ask... Where were you made?) and it's multicoated optical elements still number 6 in 5 groups. Aside from a small indent at the base of the lens before it's mount it is virtually identical to the old lens in appearance. However, there does seem to be some refinement in the quality of build where the lens's mechanics are concerned.
For instance, The manual focusing ring is much tighter than the previous model which makes it more reliable in that the lens is more likely to stay in focus while you shoot. Also the aperture ring seems to move smoother and be built sturdier, though I won't be using it much because the lens will mainly reside on my N65 which uses a dial on the camera body to electronically change aperture value instead of the ring on the lens.
I can't honestly tell you that I can see a difference between the photographs made with the old lens and the new one as far as exposure is concerned. But I can definitely say that the new lens is just as sharp as the old one ever was. The lens is now much better built and I don't feel like I'm missing out on something now that the lens works with my camera's 6 segment 3D matrix meter fully, whereas the old lens would just do 6 segment matrix metering with out the 3D.
I paid $120.00 for this lens new, which is exactly what I paid for the old lens new 5 years ago. And I'm still $120.00 richer than I would be if I had just shelled out the $360.00 for the AF Nikkor 50mm 1.4D like I was originally thinking about doing.
If you already have and are happy with the non-'D' version of this lens, stick with it. If you wish the old 1.8 lens were built a little bit better consider trading your old one in. If you are new to SLR photography and have a newer Nikon camera, consider this lens. You can't go wrong with a 50mm prime of any make or model and the Nikon is very capable of giving you sharp enlargements up to 11x14.
Features D-type lens design provides distance information as part of flash and ambient light exposure processes Classic normal lens provides speed a...More at Beach Camera.com
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