Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 [II]

Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

Announced:
· January 1990
Production status:
● Discontinued
Country of design:
· Japan
Original name:
· Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm 1:1.8
Class:
· Fast full-frame standard prime lens
System:
· Nikon F (1959)

Abbreviations

AF	Autofocus lens with mechanical coupling with camera. Learn more
II	Second generation.

Model history (14)

■Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S Auto 50mm F/2	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1959 ●
■Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H Auto 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.60m	⌀52	1964 ●
■Nippon Kogaku / Nikon Nikkor-H[·C] Auto 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.60m	⌀52	1967 ●
■Nikon Nikkor 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.45m	⌀52	1974 ●
■Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.45m	⌀52	1977 ●
■Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1978 ●
■Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1980 ●
■Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1981 ●
■Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1985 ●
■Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 [I]	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1986 ●
■Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 [II]	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1990 ●
■Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	2002 ●
■Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀58	2011 ●
■Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G Special Edition	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀58	2013 ●
—Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G Special Gold Edition (1000 units)					2014 ●

Specification

Optical design:
Maximum format:	35mm full frame
Focal length:	50mm
Speed:	F/1.8
Lens construction:	6 elements in 5 groups (Double Gauss derivative)
Mount and Flange focal distance:	Nikon F [46.5mm]
Diagonal angle of view:	46.8° (35mm full frame)
On Nikon D APS-C [1.53x] cameras:
35mm equivalent focal length:	76.5mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:	F/2.8 (in terms of depth of field)
Diagonal angle of view:	31.6°
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:	Automatic
Aperture control:	Aperture ring (Manual settings + Auto Exposure setting)
Number of blades:	7 (seven)
Focusing:
Closest focusing distance:	0.45m
Magnification ratio:	1:6.6
Focusing modes:	Autofocus (AF), Manual focus (MF)
Autofocus motor:	In-camera motor
Manual focus control:	Focusing ring
Focus mode selector:	None; focusing mode is set from the camera
Manual focus override in autofocus mode:	-
Vibration Reduction (VR):
Built-in VR:	-
Physical characteristics:
Weight:	160g
Maximum diameter x Length:	⌀63×39mm
Weather sealing:	-
Fluorine coating:	-
Accessories:
Filters:	Screw-type 52mm
Lens hood:	HR-2 - Screw-type round
Teleconverters:	Nikon Teleconverter TC-14 → 70mm F/2.5
	Nikon Teleconverter TC-14A → 70mm F/2.5
	Nikon Teleconverter TC-200 → 100mm F/3.6
	Nikon Teleconverter TC-201 → 100mm F/3.6

Source of data

Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description

An affordable Nikkor that combines the ease of autofocus operation with advanced Nikon optics. Ideal for scenery or full-length portraits. Weighs only 5.1 ounces. Stops down to f22 for additional depth of field control. Accepts 52mm filter; HR-2 lens hood.

From the editor

A modification of the first-generation AF Nikkor 50mm f1.8 with a wider focus ring that had an increased resistance to ensure more positive manual operation. It remained unchanged as a standard AF-type until early 2002 when Nikon announced that it would finally be upgraded to AF-D specification.

Notes

The autofocus will not be available with Nikon D40, D40X, D60, D3000-D3500, D5000-D5600 digital SLR cameras.

Compared to other standard prime lenses in the Nikon F system

Largest magnification (1:6.6), along with 2 other models
Shortest length (39mm), along with 2 other models

Other standard prime lenses in the Nikon F system

■Nikon F mount (9)
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 [I] • ⌀52		1986 ●	compare	0	1
Advantages: 0 Disadvantages: 1 · Older model (1986) · Heavier (210g vs 160g) HIDE
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D • ⌀52		2002 ●	compare	0	0
Advantages: 0 Disadvantages: 0 In terms of specification, there are no significant differences between these lenses. HIDE
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G • ⌀58		2011 ●	compare	5	1
Advantages: 5 Disadvantages: 1 · Newer model (2011) · In production · Optimized for digital cameras · Aspherical design · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.67 vs 1:6.6) · Silent Wave Motor · Has focus mode selector (M/A - M) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Slightly heavier (185g vs 160g) · Larger (52.5mm vs 39mm) · Weather-sealed lens mount · Larger filter size (58mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G Special Edition • ⌀58		2013 ●	compare	5	1
Advantages: 5 Disadvantages: 1 · Newer model (2013) · In production · Optimized for digital cameras · Aspherical design · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.67 vs 1:6.6) · Silent Wave Motor · Has focus mode selector (M/A - M) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Slightly heavier (190g vs 160g) · Larger (52.5mm vs 39mm) · Weather-sealed lens mount · Larger filter size (58mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4 [I] • ⌀52	Pro	1986 ●	compare	0	1
Advantages: 0 Disadvantages: 1 · Older model (1986) · Slightly faster · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.76 vs 1:6.6) · Much heavier (250g vs 160g) HIDE
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4 [II] • ⌀52	Pro	1991 ●	compare	0	1
Advantages: 0 Disadvantages: 1 · Slightly faster · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.76 vs 1:6.6) · Much heavier (255g vs 160g) HIDE
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4D • ⌀52	Pro	1995 ●	compare	1	1
Advantages: 1 Disadvantages: 1 · Newer model (1995) · In production · Slightly faster · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.76 vs 1:6.6) · Much heavier (230g vs 160g) HIDE
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.4G • ⌀58	Pro	2008 ●	compare	5	2
Advantages: 5 Disadvantages: 2 · Newer model (2008) · In production · Slightly faster · Optimized for digital cameras · More diaphragm blades (9 vs 7) · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.67 vs 1:6.6) · Silent Wave Motor · Has focus mode selector (M/A - M) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Much heavier (280g vs 160g) · Larger (54mm vs 39mm) · Weather-sealed lens mount · Larger filter size (58mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 58mm F/1.4G • ⌀72	Pro	2013 ●	compare	5	4
Advantages: 5 Disadvantages: 4 · Newer model (2013) · In production · Narrower angle of view · Slightly faster · Optimized for digital cameras · Aspherical design · More diaphragm blades (9 vs 7) · Larger closest focusing distance (0.58m vs 0.45m) · Slightly smaller magnification (1:7.7 vs 1:6.6) · Silent Wave Motor · Has focus mode selector (M/A - M) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Much heavier (385g vs 160g) · Much larger (70mm vs 39mm) · Weather-sealed lens mount · Larger filter size (72mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE

Lenses with similar focal length

■Nikon F mount (6)
Sigma 50mm F/1.4 EX DG HSM • ⌀77	Pro	2008 ●	compare	3	3
Advantages: 3 Disadvantages: 3 · Newer model (2008) · Slightly faster · Optimized for digital cameras · Aspherical design · More diaphragm blades (9 vs 7) · Slightly smaller magnification (1:7.4 vs 1:6.6) · Hyper Sonic Motor · Has focus mode selector (AF - M) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Much heavier (505g vs 160g) · Much larger (68.2mm vs 39mm) · Larger filter size (77mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters NOTE: Approximate weight and length were used for comparison purposes. HIDE
Sigma 50mm F/1.4 DG HSM \| A • ⌀77	Pro	2014 ●	compare	5	3
Advantages: 5 Disadvantages: 3 · Newer model (2014) · In production · Slightly faster · Optimized for digital cameras · More complex optical design · Aspherical design · Floating element system · More diaphragm blades (9 vs 7) · Slightly smaller closest focusing distance (0.40m vs 0.45m) · Slightly larger magnification (1:5.6 vs 1:6.6) · Hyper Sonic Motor · Has focus mode selector (AF - MF) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Much heavier (815g vs 160g) · Much larger (99.9mm vs 39mm) · Larger filter size (77mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters NOTE: Approximate weight and length were used for comparison purposes. HIDE
Tamron SP 45mm F/1.8 Di [VC] USD F013 • ⌀67		2015 ●	compare	7	3
Advantages: 7 Disadvantages: 3 · Newer model (2015) · Wider angle of view · Optimized for digital cameras · Aspherical design · Floating element system · More diaphragm blades (9 vs 7) · Smaller closest focusing distance (0.29m vs 0.45m) · Larger magnification (1:3.4 vs 1:6.6) · Ultrasonic Silent Drive · Has focus mode selector (AF - MF) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Has image stabilizer · Much heavier (520g vs 160g) · Much larger (89.2mm vs 39mm) · Weather-sealed · Fluorine coating · Larger filter size (67mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE
Tokina opera 50mm F/1.4 FF • ⌀72	Pro	2018 ●	compare	5	3
Advantages: 5 Disadvantages: 3 · Newer model (2018) · In production · Slightly faster · Optimized for digital cameras · More complex optical design · Aspherical design · Electromagnetic diaphragm control system · More diaphragm blades (9 vs 7) · Slightly smaller closest focusing distance (0.40m vs 0.45m) · Slightly larger magnification (1:5.56 vs 1:6.6) · Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor · Has focus mode selector (AF - MF) · Manual focus override in autofocus mode · Much heavier (950g vs 160g) · Much larger (107.5mm vs 39mm) · Weather-sealed · Larger filter size (72mm vs 52mm) HIDE
Yongnuo 50mm F/1.8 F • ⌀58		2016 ●	compare	3	2
Advantages: 3 Disadvantages: 2 · Newer model (2016) · Optimized for digital cameras · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.67 vs 1:6.6) · Micromotor · Has focus mode selector (AF - MF) · Lighter (120g vs 160g) · Much larger (55mm vs 39mm) · Larger filter size (58mm vs 52mm) · Lens hood is not available · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE
Yongnuo 50mm F/1.4 EF / F • ⌀58	Pro	2018 ●	compare	2	2
Advantages: 2 Disadvantages: 2 · Newer model (2018) · Slightly faster · Optimized for digital cameras · Electromagnetic diaphragm control system · Slightly smaller magnification (1:6.67 vs 1:6.6) · Micromotor · Has focus mode selector (AF - MF) · Much heavier (577g vs 160g) · Much larger (92mm vs 39mm) · Larger filter size (58mm vs 52mm) · Not compatible with teleconverters HIDE

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