nikon 50 AIS not as sharp as 50 D ?

Terry Breedlove · Oct 6, 2014

Took a closer look and the 50mm AIS actually has a scuff mark dead center on the inner lens.

blockend · Oct 7, 2014

Late period Nikon 50mm lenses are excellent optically, but only feel right on AF cameras. The (pre-D) AF 1.8 is superb but I prefer my old Pre-AI 50mm f2 on manual Nikon cameras. The most important thing is to pick up a good example of whatever lens you choose, most will be between 20 and 50 years old and many have lead hard lives.

darkosaric · Oct 7, 2014

Any nikkor 50mm lens @f4-f8: if you are not getting excellent and sharp results --> you either are doing something wrong or you have a bad example of the lens.

jochen · Oct 7, 2014

Hello,
allegedly the 1.8/50 Ai not AiS (I bought it together with my F 3 in 1980) was the best of the 1.8 Nikkor lenses.

OldBodyOldSoul · Oct 7, 2014

50/1.8 AI is a fantastic lens

Xmas · Oct 7, 2014

Unless they have been damaged in some way you are going to need 1000kg of concrete 'tripod', test chart, slow film to separate them in a blind test of 16x20s...

Nikkor or series E AI, AIs.... etc. difficult to carry the stable tripods.

Some of the optics are identical anyway.

Terry Breedlove · Oct 10, 2014

Just bought a mint 55mm 2.8 micro nikkor and TC 200 2x converter. Paid $80 for both so i am happy for now.

mrred · Oct 10, 2014

50 mm D's are pretty cheap, these days. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247091-GREY/Nikon_2137_Normal_AF_Nikkor_50mm.html $109 is worth getting a new one with a warrenty. If you don't like it, get another copy.

Terry Breedlove · Oct 11, 2014

My 50mm D works perfectly it is the 50 mm AIS that was an issue. I really like this little 55 micro I just bought but I will buy the 50 1.2 someday for portrait work.

Mark Crabtree · Oct 11, 2014

I've been tempted by the 50 1.2 for a long time, but never get around to it with so many cheap 1.4 options showing up on my doorstep. Incredible that it is still available new.

BTW, I haven't been into versions beyond AI but Nikkor lenses are pretty easy to work on. Your smudge will probably clean up just fine and I doubt you would have to spend much money if you don't want to do it yourself. Or trade it to a DIY'er since these don't go for all that much $. I don't need it, and kind of lean toward the older lenses anyway, or I'd be PM'ing to try and trade you out of it.

Enjoy the Micro. I was late discovering these, but they are wonderful lenses where the aperture is adequate.

Newt_on_Swings · Oct 11, 2014

I've got the 50 1.2 in the latest model, it's a very nice but very expensive lens. Many can do well with just the 1.4, but if you really need the speed or the shallow dof this is one lens to have. It's also great for video, with a lot of these lenses already converted to video shooting as it has a huge focusing ring and no autofocus mechanics inside. It makes for attaching onto a focusing rig very easily with a very smooth throw.

Edit: I'd also like to add that I have had the 50mm 1.8 E series and the 50 1.8 AF. The e series was stolen along with an EM attached, but that lens made some nice images esp for the price. The older AF lens with aperture ring and aperture lock tab was also very sharp and contrasty, I just kept it on an auto focus body as the focusing ring was tiny and not really intended for manual focusing with a very loose feel. I think those AF lenses are better than the D lenses as there is less plastic and an actual aperture ring to use on manual focus bodies if ever needed.

aRolleiBrujo · Oct 11, 2014

Beautiful photo by the way.

Terry Breedlove · Oct 13, 2014

Thank you

nikon 50 AIS not as sharp as 50 D ?

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