Nikon Announces AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dpreview.com/news/1104/11042710nikon50mmf1p8.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.dpreview.com/news/1104/1...kon50mmf1p8.asp</a><br /><br /></div><p><img height="300" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1303917033.usr15670.png" width="353" /></p><p>Nikon has updated their 50mm f/1.8 lens with a Silent Wave Motor, but to me, the only advantage this lens has over the incumbent is that it will auto focus with cameras that have no built-in AF motor. It is more expensive by 60%, loses the aperture ring, uses the awkward 58mm filter ring (though that might change), and if the AF-S 50/1.4G is anything to go by, it will focus slower as well. At least this has a focus distance indicator, unlike the AF-S 35/1.8G. Expect this in June for US$220.</p>

[ptyork]

Wow!! Nikon seriously brought out a nifty-fifty at a $220 price point!! 8o That's crazy. I paid $85 for my Canon, and all EOS lenses have built in focusing motors. Sure, it's plastic and cheap feeling, but optically sound. I can't really imagine the justification for this.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Because it has a proper piezoelectric motor, that's my guess. The Canon is substantially cheaper (plastic mount, ewww) but yea, it still is rather expensive. Like I said, it is probably going to focus slower than the old screw driven lens...

[ptyork]

Because it has a proper piezoelectric motor, that's my guess. The Canon is substantially cheaper (plastic mount, ewww) but yea, it still is rather expensive. Like I said, it is probably going to focus slower than the old screw driven lens...

Ah, yes, Silent Wave. I see it now. Yeah, I suppose I could see the justification here. Though I do find it sad that they appear to be dropping the cheap one. This is always the first prime a new shooter gets. Now it's starting to creep into the next level. But good lord lens prices are all skyrocketing right now. I mean $140 for the Canon 50mm??? And the 1.4 seems to have jumped 70% since last I checked. That is the real story, I guess. :(