When a customer purchases a lens from Nikon, it is generally assumed that the product will meet the highest standards of quality and dependability. This is why I was so surprised to discover a "purple spot", or "pale blue dot" visible at lower apertures on the AF Nikkor 50 mm 1.8...

The lens does not have an internal motor and so I had to focus manually. This resulted in more than 80% of shots being out of focus with an aperature setting of 4 or bigger. When I get the focus right however, the photos are stunning.

Lightweight; Nice Bokeh; Rugged; Strong Construction

Hard to focus manualy

I don't agree that this is a must have lens. If you own a DX camera like the D90 or D7000 then the 35mm f/1.8 DX is probably a better choice because of the effect of the cropped sensor on focal length which makes this lens a 75mm in the real world.

Focusing on near things are easy to do but focusing a human body from a distance with manual focus is very difficult to do so. Once u get it, camera image quality is good, nice bookeh, cheapest too

The Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 D is a low profile lens with less sex-appeal than the big glass but it is an interesting lens nonetheless. At wide-open aperture it is a little soft at the image borders and the contrast level is a little on the low side.

It's amazing that one of Nikon's sharpest lenses ever is also one of its cheapest! You can pay three times as much for the 1.4D version, but you'd be very hard pressed to tell the difference between the final images.The only drawback to this lens is that it is very prone to lens flare.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Lightweight; Nice Bokeh; Rugged; Sharp; Strong Construction

Prone to lens flare

The AF only works with the DSLR cameras that have the autofocus motor within the camera body - if you are using a D3000, D5000, etc you need the AF-S. However this AF lens will focus with versions like the D7000 and others because they have the built-in focus drive motor.

Purchased this lens for use in low light situations, like inside restaurants and photographing food. It's on Ken Rockwell's top 10 Nikon lenses list. Have also used it for street photography. Nifty addition to my lens collection without breaking the bank. Lightweight!

Perfect all rounder that's sharp corner to corner from f1.4 up and perfect for portraits on a DX body. Just let down by it's pedestrian and sometimes hesitant auto focus and its plastic body which I'd thought ought to be better on a lens that costs the thick end of ￡300 However I'd rather have...

Slow Focus

Not as good as AFS 50mm F1.8G for regular photography, slower focus, but manual control over aperature works better for video recording since it can be done on the fly. Optional reverse mount works for Macro photography. Impossible to turn down when on sale!