Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm F/1.8G

This Nikon prime delivers the familiar 50mm view on full-frame F-mount bodies. It suits single-person portraits, street scenes and everyday family pictures, the classic role for a 50mm lens. The single focal length also keeps the design simple and light.

Zooming is not an option, so you frame by stepping closer or further back. That fixed view is the main trade-off against the bright f/1.8 aperture, and it rewards photographers who like to move while working.

Nikon launched this lens in 2011, so it is an older design today. It remains a straightforward choice for F-mount photographers who want a light standard prime.

The lens weighs 6.5 oz (185 g) and measures 2.83 in (72 mm) across and 2.07 in (52.5 mm) long. Its compact body is useful in a small everyday kit. Keep both caps on during transport and allow space for any attached filter when packing.

It takes 58mm screw-in filters, a size shared by many other lenses. Any polarizer or ND filter must match that thread to attach directly.

On full frame, 50mm gives a standard view that suits people, street scenes and everyday details. Framing depends on your position and the size of the subject. Camera position determines perspective. Moving closer makes near features larger relative to the background, so choose a distance that fits the picture you want.

The f/1.8 maximum aperture lets in more light than a smaller opening. At a given shutter speed, it can allow a lower ISO indoors or in the evening. Available light still determines practical settings. A moving person needs enough shutter speed for their movement, even when the camera is steady.

A nearby portrait subject can have a soft background at f/1.8 when there is enough space behind them. Closest focus is 1.5 ft (45 cm), measured from the sensor. That range can help with food and tabletop objects. Check focus carefully when working close at a wide aperture.

When you want context instead, stopping down brings more of the scene into focus, useful for group pictures indoors. Its optics specification score is 81 out of 100 on our scale.

Protect the lens from rain, sea spray and heavy dust. Keep the mount clean when changing lenses, and avoid leaving the rear element exposed. Put both caps on before storing it in a bag. Remove loose grit before wiping the front glass.

There is no image stabilisation in the lens. A camera with body stabilisation can help with shake. Firm support is useful for still scenes in dim light. The wide aperture can help retain a faster shutter speed, but it does not steady the camera.

Remove loose particles before wiping the glass. When photographing towards a bright window or light source, check for marks before taking a sequence. Keep the front capped between sessions.

The formula uses seven elements in six groups, including an aspherical element. Its shaped surface helps correct spherical aberration and distortion. Distortion can make straight building edges appear curved. These design features describe methods of optical correction; they do not establish measured image quality on their own.