This new prime lens has a very affordable price. The WDC review of the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G discovers that its performance is impressive too

Fantastic full-frame performance

Some chromatic aberration on DX-format sensor

For the price this is a very good lens. I use it on my full-frame D800 with great results when stopped down to F5.6 or narrower. You can't afford to NOT have this lens if you don't have anything that does this focal length.

Price 58mm filter thread metal mount very sharp for the price

No weather sealing no depth of field indicator plastic filter thread

There was a time when almost every 35mm film camera came with a 50mm prime (fixed focal-length) lens because on a full-frame camera, the 50mm focal length captures roughly the same angle-of-view as is seen by the human eye.

Fantastic full-frame performance

Some chromatic aberration on DX-format sensor

I bought this lens because I wanted a fast portrait lens for my D7000. For me, this lens represented the best of both worlds - a fast aperture at a cheap price.

I followed the Dell customer review suggestion on this lens and the purchase was well beyond my expectations. At 50mm the DX format conversion equals a focal range of 75mm standard and clarity on the G series is much sharper than I could ever imagine!

Get super sharp pictures with this new 50mm lens from Nikon.

Sharp pictures; great ergonomics

Slightly heavier; barrel distortion

This update to Nikon's venerable 50mm f/1.8G has a lot to live up to, as the reputation of the older D version that it is amongst Nikon's sharpest optics will be a hard task to live up to.

Historically, 50mm lenses have been the standard lenses for 35mm film SLRs. Back in 1972 when I bought my first SLR , it came with a 50mm/f1.4 as a "kit lens," although we did not use such terminology back then.

This lens is an incredible value for the money, which probably explains why its so hard to find right now. The wide aperture creates incredible background blur in portraits, and also allows for shorter exposures in low-light conditions.

Absolutely everything

Hard to find

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 is an excellent companion to any modern Nikon SLR camera, whether film or digital. Small, lightweight and affordable, it's also a winner in the optical department.