Lens

First introduced in December, 1978. Probably the first lens that might be sold to you when you bought any of the super compact camera models such as the EM, FG or the FG-20 SLR cameras. The lens employs a 6 elements in 5 groups optical design and enables it to close focus down to 2 ft. There is no metering coupling prong to be use for non-AI Nikon SLRs and early versions do not provide a metal lens mounting ring, thus making it looks almost an all matte black finished lens in appearance. The second version saw some physical improvement made to its revised design where an Aluminum lens mounting ring was added and its finishes are less plasticy. The update also increased its weight slightly by about 20g from the original version. The focusing ring has only a very narrow single row rubberized grip which is quite uncomfortable to use.

The AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 closely resembles the design of the Nikon 50mm f/1.8E lens which many believes the AF lens was a direct replica of the Series E optical design in an AF shell. Whatever it is, despite its weakly physical appearance which exhibits less rigid feel than any Nikkor counterpart, optically this lens performs otherwise. The Nikon NIC coating provides the lens a distinctive purplish front lens elements which contributed to its exceptional sharpness and neutral color rendition. Images are consistently of high contrast and this lens is also an excellent choice for close up when using it with attachment units such as bellow or extension ring. The lens can used both metal and rubber lense hood.