Best 50mm lens for my Nikons

[BradS]

It's better not to obsess over the slight differences. They are all good.

Sensible advice here...

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

50mm focal length is tricky to use well. I have used a number of 50mms across a few makes, and a number of 50s on my nikons. since most people of mentioned the good lot of them, I want to throw out the under dog, the 50mm 1.8 E series. I had a great many shots with that one. Mine had super loose undampened focus, and not the best feeling klunky aperture ring, but boy did it shine when it was needed. it was a nice compact package, and was coated (maybe multicoated?) Makes it hard to judge a book by its cover in this case.

The older 50mm 1.8 AF nikkor was also a sweet little lens that performed very well. though not built for manual focus.

 

[fstop]

E series glass is very good, if you don't need the fork and most folks don't, its a great choice. It has the notch in the mount that FAs need and is reasonably priced.Being an FA shooter I like AIS or E series,but when shooting any other body, almost any one of my 50s will do.

 

[djacobox372]

The 58mm 1.2 noct is the best, but costs thousands!

Personally I love the bokeh of the 9 bladed versions of the 50mm f1.2 ais, I think it's the only manual focus 50mm nikkor with more then 7 blades.

 

[2F/2F]

There isn't one Nikon 50mm that does everything best.

But I would argue that the "best" all-around every-day performance will be from the 50mm f/1.8 AI.

The best in terms of wide open performance is probably the 58mm Noct-Nikkor, but I cannot confirm that with personal experience. I've never even seen one in person, let alone shot with one.

The best at the wider aperture settings just down from wide open (f/1.4 to f/2.0) is probably the 50mm f/1.2 AI-S.

The best in terms of bang for the buck is probably the 50mm Series E. They are pretty much up there with the AI 1.8's in terms of performance, but they are as cheap as dirt.

The only one that really isn't the "best" at anything is the 50mm f/1.4. But even then, it is a very good lens that I would have no qualms about using. I love my pre-AI one.

So, IMHO the only way you can "go wrong" is by spending waaay too much money for the Noct-Nikkor. Sorry, but no 35mm camera standard lens is worth that much money.

My advice is to buy one that comes on a body. That way you save money, and you get a backup body. I got my Series E mounted on a very nice Nikon FG for $65 through the APUG classifieds.

 

[markbarendt]

Anyone tried the Voigtlander 58/1.4? I heard the optics are awesome.

Kivis,

There are no magic bullets.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

and speaking of contrast I want the latest, newest lens I can find so it has the most advanced coating on the optics and best manufacture quality.

"Newest" and "best manufacture quality" is often an oxymoron...

Also "newest" and the other qualities you describe doesn't always hold true.
There are some very, very good "old" lenses out there.

 

[Timestep]

The 50mm F/2 does indeed punch above its weight. I have, however, discovered the 50mm F/1.2 AIS to be a surprisingly useful general purpose 50; I have now made it my first line 50; supplemented when needed by a 55mm F/2.8 AIS Micro-Nikkor.

 

[kitanikon]

I believe the F2-K (here) is optically the same as the AI....here's mine...since cleaned up a bit...and as has been said, it is a wonderful lens...

 

[Pumalite]

This is mine:

 

[2F/2F]

Anyone tried the Voigtlander 58/1.4? I heard the optics are awesome.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[kivis]

Kivis,

There are no magic bullets.

Not really an answer.

 

[paulfish4570]

Akiva, i like my nikkor 50/2 better than my nikkor 50/1.8 with black and white film. with color, a toss-up. with black and white, the f2 just seems to have a little edge to it.

 

[markbarendt]

Not really an answer.

And you haven't told us what you really want.

Until you define and tell us very specifically what you want from the lens, I.e. what "best" means to you, we can't really help.

What I'm getting at is that sometimes it's my 50 1.4 MF on an FM2, sometimes it's my 50 1.8 AF on my N90s, sometimes neither. My Holga is the best thing for the job on a surprising number of things. There are times I wish I had a rangefinder.

The "best" lens depends on the camera and film I want behind it, if I need flash or not, what the subject is, what the setting what type of shoot, how it will be printed, blah, blah, blah...

So what does best mean to you?

Do you prefer pictorial or f/64 type shots? Adams, Weston, Erwitt, HCB, Karsch, Maplethorp, Jose Villa or Jim Galli. What type of light? What type of film? ...

Throw us a meaningful definition and you'll get a meaningful answer.

 

[Smudger]

+1 : the O.P throws out a non-specific question and waits for the team to pick over what they think he/her needs.
Everyone has a heap of fun describing their fave 50/55 .
Yawn.
Oh well,I'll play : the 50/2 Ai has a flatter field than the 1.8 variants. The 1.8's sacrificed some corner performance for slightly higher central sharpness. The two 1.4's I tested, at F2 ,were no sharper than my 50/2 at F2 , but they have a very less than flat field. No 1.8 I have tried has better Bokeh than my 50/2.
At F4 , my Micro 55/2.8 is no sharper than my 50/2 - tested at 10ft.
Sample variation could probably account for most of these differences , but Nikon gave users a choice ,when the choice was important for careful users. Point is : "what do you want most ?".

 

[André E.C.]

I have a Nikkor 50mm HC Auto f/2 on my F2 and love it alot... The best? For me yes, others may disagree...

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html


Cheers

 

[narsuitus]

When I need light gathering, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 is best for me.

When I need high quality macro shots, the 55mm f/3.5 micro Nikkor is the best for me.

When I need to put an expendable lens on an expendable body, the 50mm f/1.8 Series E is the best for me.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/11336821@N00/5535954258/

 

[KrankyKraut]

I have to second the recommendation for the Nikkor 50mm f/2.0 AI. It has a special look to it; colors are great with it.