Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F1.8

Nikon's autofocus nifty fifty, and one of the great value propositions in the F-mount. The AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 line began in September 1986 alongside the F-501, Nikon's first serious autofocus body, and has stayed in the catalogue in one form or another ever since — a six-element double-Gauss design that is genuinely sharp by f/2.8, compact enough to forget you are carrying it, and cheap enough that nobody babies one. It keeps a physical aperture ring, which matters: that is what lets it work properly on manual-era and early AF film bodies rather than only on modern ones. Focus is screw-driven from the body, so any Nikon film SLR with an AF motor will drive it.

Specifications

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/1.8, stopping down to f/22
• Optical design: 6 elements in 5 groups, double-Gauss
• Mount: Nikon F
• Focus: Screw-drive autofocus — requires an in-body AF motor — plus manual override ring
• Minimum focus distance: 0.45m
• Filter thread: 52mm
• Format: Full 35mm / FX coverage
• Aperture ring: Yes, retained — usable on manual and early autofocus Nikon bodies
• Note: Will not autofocus on entry-level motorless DSLRs such as the D40, D60 or D3000/D5000 series

Condition

• Cosmetic: Excellent+ condition. No fungus, haze or scratches.
• Functional: Fully functional and smooth throughout.

Included

• Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens
• Front lens cap
• Rear lens cap

The obvious first lens for any Nikon autofocus film body — an F-801, F90, F100 or F5 — and equally at home on an FX digital body. Clean glass, both caps, and nothing to work around.