One standout feature of this lens, often overlooked, is its ability to produce stunning sunstars, thanks to its less rounded aperture blades. While this compromises the bokeh, you can always use software to achieve that effect. As you mentioned, it’s a great lens to keep, as selling it wouldn’t be worth the return. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you for making this excellent point. I have already produced a video (scheduled to come out in January) where I talk about this very point and also show examples of sunstars (compared to those of Helios 44-2). Kind regards!
It’s my favorite Nikon lens for most situations. I’ve used these lenses for years and years. Lightweight, not so expensive that I worry about damaging it, great color rendering and beautiful images with a Nikon film camera.
Hi! Yes, and what's most surprising is that you really don't expect this high photo quality based on the looks. This lens is better than many people suspect. Best of luck to you with your photography!
I still have mine since buying with the F100 in 2002. It's a flawless little lens that has been through so much. Very reliable. That and the D750 will never leave my gear setup.
I bought this lens after getting the D300 in 2007. I still have both. What I don’t like about this lens is the bokeh. It has, for the lack of a better term, some sort of an astigmatism. Specular highlights from backgrounds are ok, but highlights with strong linear gradients, not so much. If you’re careful with the backgrounds, you’ll get good bokeh, and the lens is sharp enough. It’s a real thrifty fifty. With the Nikon Zf, it’s all manual with this lens. But even though with an aperture ring, can’t use it. You still have to lock it on f/22, and manually set aperture through the dial.
I'm thinking of getting the 50mm F/1.8 D as its one of the cheaper lenses I could get for my D5300. It has the hard stops & distance scale for focus and the manual aperture ring which I would like to have as the AF-P 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 the D5300 came with lacks both. The infinitely spinning electronic focus ring of the AF-P lens in particular bothers me and wastes my time when trying to photograph things in darker areas around sunset or astrophotography. I won't know if stuff is in focus until I do a test shot and the electronic ring is so touchy making it easy to go past my intended focus point with just a little movement of the ring. Another plus with the 50mm F/1.8 D would be that I'll be able to use the passive lens extensions that were given to me with the D5300 with no issues when it comes to focus or aperture control. The wider aperture would be a nice benefit too since F/3.5 tends to be a bit dark for my liking necessitating a higher ISO and/or longer shutter speed to compensate.
That little lens renders beautyfully it would be a crime to sell it, so compact and light as well. I could reason gifting to someone that hasn't used primes and is now beginning in photography, but selling it would be like kicking a puppy.
This was my favourite lens when I shot Nikon DSLR's, but, I did sell it with all my gear when I moved to Fuji :( They are super cheap though so could easily buy it again. Though the manual focusing experience is not ideal, so I'd probably pick up the AIS variant instead to use on Fuji.
Such a great video, so funny, I thought about selling it and the matching 35mm as well, then I put them on my D3S and fell in love once again. I agree with what you say, it is definitely future proof completely. I thought I was the only one with so many cameras and lenses 😂 I already have 2 dehumidifier fridges filled with cameras and lenses 😂 Great video, I really love it
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D lens is quite satisfying optically. But ... But it has very SLOW old fashioned auto-focusing, using that old focus clutch mechanism technology.
Hi! Yes, it's true. If you want a very fast acting lens then other options can be faster (including the AF-S 50mm F1.8 G). Thank you for your feedback!
Gotta say... I used mine this year and I was shocked at how unsharp it was wide open on a tripod with flash. My $100 ttartisan 50mm f1.2 and my pre AI Nikkor 50mm f1.4 are both sharper. It's the only autofocus 50mm I have. But I can't really see myself using it. Maybe it's just my copy and the quality control wasn't good on these.
Hi! Thank you for your feedback. I've been happy with my copy of the lens. I primarily use with Fujifilm though (because it's fully manual). I use the AF-S 50mm F/1.8 G (ua-cam.com/video/cz1i38ZGQ5U/v-deo.html) with my Nikon cameras (D3400 and D610). Kind regards!
I have both the 50mm 1.8 D and G. The G sharper wide open but I tend to shot with D more often. I don’t really shoot wide open though. I like it for its size and simplicity and pairs it nicely on my DF and D780. I’ve had my copy for over 15 years and the rubber ring is starting to fall off but it still works.
It makes for great photos, it just feels like a cheap piece of plastic. Keep it on on autofocus camera and lock the aperture ring, then you wont have to feel how crappy it is. 😅
Hey Tom, my name is Johnny and I'm a freelance logo designer, would you love to have a logo for your photography channel to have a brand image your audience can remember your contents from and also can be one of the merch print you can sell to your fans to buy and own and share the words about your channel too? Let me know if you interested and I would love to work with you to design these for you! :-)
@tom_photo hi Tom, wow thanks for the quick reply and interests! Yes I have time now to work with you and want to fill myself with more clients, if you like I can work with you on your logo right away and you will have a new logo for new opportunities in the coming new year! :-)
One standout feature of this lens, often overlooked, is its ability to produce stunning sunstars, thanks to its less rounded aperture blades. While this compromises the bokeh, you can always use software to achieve that effect. As you mentioned, it’s a great lens to keep, as selling it wouldn’t be worth the return. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you for making this excellent point. I have already produced a video (scheduled to come out in January) where I talk about this very point and also show examples of sunstars (compared to those of Helios 44-2). Kind regards!
It’s my favorite Nikon lens for most situations. I’ve used these lenses for years and years. Lightweight, not so expensive that I worry about damaging it, great color rendering and beautiful images with a Nikon film camera.
Hi! Yes, and what's most surprising is that you really don't expect this high photo quality based on the looks. This lens is better than many people suspect. Best of luck to you with your photography!
I still have mine since buying with the F100 in 2002. It's a flawless little lens that has been through so much. Very reliable. That and the D750 will never leave my gear setup.
Hi! Thanks you for your feedback. Indeed this lens and the D750 make a nice pair. Cheers!
I bought this lens after getting the D300 in 2007. I still have both. What I don’t like about this lens is the bokeh. It has, for the lack of a better term, some sort of an astigmatism. Specular highlights from backgrounds are ok, but highlights with strong linear gradients, not so much. If you’re careful with the backgrounds, you’ll get good bokeh, and the lens is sharp enough. It’s a real thrifty fifty. With the Nikon Zf, it’s all manual with this lens. But even though with an aperture ring, can’t use it. You still have to lock it on f/22, and manually set aperture through the dial.
Hi! Thank you very much for this analysis. Kind regards!
I sold it a long time ago. The 40mm F2 Z Nikkor is so much better. Mounted on the Nikon Zf, fantastic!!!
Hi! Thank you for your feedback. Kind regards!
great video, (watching it 2nd time) buying one today!
Hi! Thank you so much. Great decision to buy one. Kind regards!
lol😂…. This lens on D610 is the best combo…. I never separate them…
Hi! Thanks a lot for watching. Indeed, the D610 and the 50mm D work really well together. Cheers!
I'm thinking of getting the 50mm F/1.8 D as its one of the cheaper lenses I could get for my D5300. It has the hard stops & distance scale for focus and the manual aperture ring which I would like to have as the AF-P 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 the D5300 came with lacks both.
The infinitely spinning electronic focus ring of the AF-P lens in particular bothers me and wastes my time when trying to photograph things in darker areas around sunset or astrophotography. I won't know if stuff is in focus until I do a test shot and the electronic ring is so touchy making it easy to go past my intended focus point with just a little movement of the ring.
Another plus with the 50mm F/1.8 D would be that I'll be able to use the passive lens extensions that were given to me with the D5300 with no issues when it comes to focus or aperture control.
The wider aperture would be a nice benefit too since F/3.5 tends to be a bit dark for my liking necessitating a higher ISO and/or longer shutter speed to compensate.
Hi! Thank you for making these very valid points. They serve as good guideline for someone considering buying this lens. Kind regards!
That little lens renders beautyfully it would be a crime to sell it, so compact and light as well. I could reason gifting to someone that hasn't used primes and is now beginning in photography, but selling it would be like kicking a puppy.
Hi! Very well put, indeed. Thanks so much for watching!
This was my favourite lens when I shot Nikon DSLR's, but, I did sell it with all my gear when I moved to Fuji :( They are super cheap though so could easily buy it again. Though the manual focusing experience is not ideal, so I'd probably pick up the AIS variant instead to use on Fuji.
Hi! I agree that manual focusing is not always the easiest. I use this lens primarily with Fuji these days. Kind regards!
Such a great video, so funny, I thought about selling it and the matching 35mm as well, then I put them on my D3S and fell in love once again. I agree with what you say, it is definitely future proof completely. I thought I was the only one with so many cameras and lenses 😂 I already have 2 dehumidifier fridges filled with cameras and lenses 😂
Great video, I really love it
Hi! Thank you so much for your feedback. Glad to hear that there are more people like me out there. Kind regards!
Great video... got one too that I still ude with my D50, D300 & D810!
Hi! Thanks for your feedback. Great to hear from you!
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D lens is quite satisfying optically. But ...
But it has very SLOW old fashioned auto-focusing, using that old focus clutch mechanism technology.
Hi! Yes, it's true. If you want a very fast acting lens then other options can be faster (including the AF-S 50mm F1.8 G). Thank you for your feedback!
Nice video. I like using manual lenses for infrared photography and astrophotography - hard stops at infinity for the latter. Cheers!
Hi! These are very good uses for the lens. Thank you very much for your feedback!
Gotta say... I used mine this year and I was shocked at how unsharp it was wide open on a tripod with flash. My $100 ttartisan 50mm f1.2 and my pre AI Nikkor 50mm f1.4 are both sharper. It's the only autofocus 50mm I have. But I can't really see myself using it. Maybe it's just my copy and the quality control wasn't good on these.
Hi! Thank you for your feedback. I've been happy with my copy of the lens. I primarily use with Fujifilm though (because it's fully manual). I use the AF-S 50mm F/1.8 G (ua-cam.com/video/cz1i38ZGQ5U/v-deo.html) with my Nikon cameras (D3400 and D610). Kind regards!
I have both the 50mm 1.8 D and G. The G sharper wide open but I tend to shot with D more often. I don’t really shoot wide open though. I like it for its size and simplicity and pairs it nicely on my DF and D780. I’ve had my copy for over 15 years and the rubber ring is starting to fall off but it still works.
This lens is a bargain and the strongest point is its compactness.
Hi! I very much agree; you hardly even notice it. Kind regards!
It makes for great photos, it just feels like a cheap piece of plastic. Keep it on on autofocus camera and lock the aperture ring, then you wont have to feel how crappy it is. 😅
Hi! Thanks for this humorous advice. Cheers!
Hey Tom, my name is Johnny and I'm a freelance logo designer, would you love to have a logo for your photography channel to have a brand image your audience can remember your contents from and also can be one of the merch print you can sell to your fans to buy and own and share the words about your channel too? Let me know if you interested and I would love to work with you to design these for you! :-)
Hi Johnny! Great to hear from you. I might be interested in the future. I'll remember your offer. Kind regards!
@tom_photo hi Tom, wow thanks for the quick reply and interests! Yes I have time now to work with you and want to fill myself with more clients, if you like I can work with you on your logo right away and you will have a new logo for new opportunities in the coming new year! :-)
@@NetvoTV Hi! Thanks again. Let me contact you in the future again if/when I feel there is need for a new logo. Right now I'm good. Cheers!
@tom_photo I see, ok Tom, hope to hear from you soon! 😊