Photography Reviews

1. Their first jealous look may be that you had the boldness to upgrade from the earlier 50mm f/1.8 G, or D, model. Both are legendary lenses with proven optical superiority.

Read real customer reviews of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor here.

You did not hesitate, however, when you learned that the new 50mm f/1.8 G is built with Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology for quick, precise and quiet auto-focus.

2. Their jealousy will deepen when they realize you’re using the lens on your Nikon D5100 DSLR. Expect one of them to say, “I didn’t think the 50mm f/1.8 G was compatible with Nikon’s beginner DSLRs.” You’ll have the opportunity to inform him or her that it also works on the D3100, and even older models, such as the D40 or D60, which do not include an in-body focusing motor.

3. You may even notice a bit of pain in their jealous look when they see the results of your new interest in portrait photos. Since your D5100 is a DX-format DSLR, the new 50mm f/1.8 G gives you an angle of view that is equivalent to a 75mm lens on the larger, high-end FX-format cameras, such as the Nikon D700, D3S and D3X.

The portrait pros shoot most of their best work in the 70mm to 80mm focal length range. Of course, they can’t use the 50mm f/1.8 G for portraits because on their full-frame cameras, it’s a “standard” 50mm, which is not within the portrait focal length range. They must buy a more expensive lens that gives them the 70mm–80mm they need. That makes you look even smarter, pairing your D5100 with the 50mm f/1.8 G…and your friends won’t forgive you!

4. You should also expect your photo buddies will want to take a close look at your new Nikon lens. Politeness requires that you allow them, but it will only make them even more jealous.

What they’ll notice immediately is the light weight (6.6 oz. or 185g) and compact size (2.8” x 2.1” or 72.1 x 52.4mm). Your photo buddies will give the lens points when they see the metal lens mount, high quality plastic construction and a dust- and moisture-resistant rubber gasket. The lens can be used in many harsh environments and the internal parts still remain protected.

5. When your friends try the focusing mechanism, you’re apt to receive one of those under the eyebrow looks that say, “You dog!” They won’t be able to take their fingers from the manual focus ring because it operates so smoothly. Wait until you show them the M/A Focus Mode Switch that allows them to select instantly either auto-focus or manual focus. Oh, what a reaction!

6. You may make some of your buddies start to twitch when you explain that the 50mm f/1.8 G is the first Nikon optical design with seven instead of six spherical glass elements, plus one aspherical element. Let them shoot a few frames, so they have some test images to view. They’ll have to look very hard to see even the smallest evidence of coma or other types of chromatic aberrations. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) also contributes to the production of sharp, clear images with vibrant colors.

7. To tweak their jealous state, invite your buddies to shoot a few additional test images to reveal the excellent bokeh the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G delivers. Its 7-blade diaphragm helps to create a very pleasing background blur that gives photos a greater three-dimensional quality. Subjects almost pop from the background of the image, as if it was 3D. The quality of bokeh this lens produces is another reason your portraits look so good, especially those shot outdoors.

8. The final fit of jealousy will come when they learn you only paid $216.95 for the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G lens at B&H Photo Video and ordered directly from the Web page: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=NIKON+AF+50mm+f%2F1.8&N=0&InitialSearch=yes.

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