Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor AI-S

Review Date
December 4, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
long_h_lam , Intermediate

Price Paid
$35.00 at online

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Other

Summary
For the price, this is "pancake lens" a very good lens. Strangely it is really compact, but that means there isn't much glass inside, but also means it's not complicated. So when Nikon made it and the results were good, you know it's going to last as it's not complicated and will less likely develop problems in the long run.
If you find a nice example, then hang onto it. Every photographer should have one.
There are other versions of this lens as well. There is the larger barrel version, AI and AI-s as well as the Series E. Larger barrel versions are longer and easily to control focus as the barrel is longer. I found the pancake has a slightly narrow focus ring which isn't rubberised. The longer barrel versions are just as good if not better in optical performance.
Series E is the budget model and i wouldn't recommend getting one over the other models, unless budget *really* is an issue. Build is not as good and performance isn't either.
Go get a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 manual, any one (apart from Series E), you deserve it!

Strengths
Optical quality is professional grade
Durable metal casing
Price is budget!!! (£50GBP)
Virtually maintenance free as design is simple.

Weaknesses
None

Similar Products Used
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 Series E
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI, AI-s
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF

Review Date
June 19, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
jorgemonkey , Expert

Price Paid
$0.00 at gift from parents

Photography Experience
2-5 years , People

Summary
I got this lens when my dad gave me his FM film camera. I currently use this lens with the Nikon Bellows set for copying slides & macro photography.

It is a very sharp lens, and it is build the way I wish the AF version of this was build. It doesn't feel like you'll break it if you drop it (which I have!)

The 1.8 aperture is great in low light. I mostly use this lens between F4-F16 for my slide copying work.

Strengths
Build quality
focuses smoothly

Weaknesses
None that I've found

Similar Products Used
Nikon 35mm 2.8 AIS, Nikon 50mm F1.8

Customer Service
I've used their customer service a few times, and have been impressed each time.

Review Date
November 14, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
mohawk51 , Expert

Price Paid
$80.00 at Friend

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
I agree with Ken Grooms listed here. The one to get is the one made from 1981-1985. Not the one shown here. The lens made from "81-'85, with the serial numbers shown by Ken is the sharpest lens I too have ever seen. And I'm a "sharp" freak when it comes to lenses. If it ain't sharp, IT'S GONE!!! I haven't seen any other 50MM F.8 that comes anywhere close. If you want tack sharp, this is the one.

Strengths
Everthing about it!!

Weaknesses
None noted.....

Similar Products Used
Too many Nikkors to mention....

Customer Service
Not Needed..

Review Date
September 12, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Larry Miller , Expert

Price Paid
$75.00 at Friend

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this lens from previous posters? Every word they said is true. I bought this lens about a year ago and really haven't used it very much since then. On a recent trip to the coast, I decided to take that lens and that lens only on the trip (Unusual for me to take 1 lens only). Got the slides back yesterday and the sharpness, colors and contrast I saw made me take a seat. Hard to believe that little jewel can produce such art work. Hard to believe it's been stored away and not in use. Not anymore! It goes back in the photo bag. I took many shots vertically. Those shots could almost pass for a medium wide angle view. It's the colors that this lens produces that blow me away. I shot this lens consistently at F11. Earlly morning beach shots and late evenings shots were like an artists palette. I agree with one of the posters that the 50MM F1.8 to get is the one that was made from 1981-1985. I've shot with the other 50's. No comparison whatsoever!! This lens deserves more than a 5 start rating. So all I can say is take that 50 out and fall back in love with that "short telephoto".

Strengths
Everything. What else can I say?

Weaknesses
Zero.

Similar Products Used
Numerous Nikkor products.

Customer Service
None needed. Knock on wood......

Review Date
January 21, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
Ken Grooms , Intermediate

Price Paid
$99.00 at Bocaphoto.com

Photography Experience
6-10 years , People

Summary
Get the early edition of this (serial #31800xx-3300000), the larger metal early edition (1981-1985) - not the "pancake" later edition pictured here. IT IS THE BEST LENS I HAVE EVER USED!!!!!!!!!! Nature photographer Bjorn Rorslett, who tests practically every Nikkor ever made says: "The early version of the 50/1.8 is the sharpest normal lens I've ever seen on my D2X. The close-focus to 0.45 m comes in handy as well. Other people tell me the more recent versions are less spectacular and I tend to believe them, since the AF 50/1.8 is a little uneven in its performance ."

Strengths
SHARPEST NIKKOR EVER MADE!

Weaknesses
MF

Similar Products Used
Nikon AF 50mm f/1.4D
Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8D

Customer Service
N/A