nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI-s E series

[villainmack]

Hello all!!

I've found a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI-S E series for 70 US$ anybody can pls tell me if the price is good. By the way seems really fine, no damage on optics. Also are there anyone used this lens, could you people gimme some ideas plz? Lastly, what should I check on the lens first when I meet the seller? I use D90 by the way..

Thanks...

[chris-p]

Hi Villainmack, welcome to the forum

$70 is about £47 on the current exchange rate. It's not very expensive but I wouldn't spend that on a lens that will leave you having to use the sunny 16 rule or an external light meter in M mode. Especially not when you can get the 50mm f/1.8 D for $105.

[chris-p]

Forgot to mention a couple of things....

In general, if you're looking at second hand lenses you should check that all the rings turn smoothly (no lumps or notching, and no crunching noises). Also check the rear element is completely free from marks - you can get away with stuff on the front element (you'd be suprised how much as well) but anything on the rear element you can't get off is a no no.
Also check the aperture mechanism. Most lenses will have a spring or clip mechanism to open the aperture when the lens is attached to the camera. Check that it moves freely and that the iris blades move cleanly and without sticking.
Finally, attach it to your camera and make sure it works. Seriously, I've known people come away with an immaculate looking lens and it simply doesn't work.

The other thing was, why 50mm? On a D90 it's too long to be the normal focal length or give the standard angle of view and it's too short to be short telephoto, so why a 50mm?

[villainmack]

Originally Posted by chris-p

Forgot to mention a couple of things....

In general, if you're looking at second hand lenses you should check that all the rings turn smoothly (no lumps or notching, and no crunching noises). Also check the rear element is completely free from marks - you can get away with stuff on the front element (you'd be suprised how much as well) but anything on the rear element you can't get off is a no no.
Also check the aperture mechanism. Most lenses will have a spring or clip mechanism to open the aperture when the lens is attached to the camera. Check that it moves freely and that the iris blades move cleanly and without sticking.
Finally, attach it to your camera and make sure it works. Seriously, I've known people come away with an immaculate looking lens and it simply doesn't work.

The other thing was, why 50mm? On a D90 it's too long to be the normal focal length or give the standard angle of view and it's too short to be short telephoto, so why a 50mm?

The other thing was, why 50mm? On a D90 it's too long to be the normal focal length or give the standard angle of view and it's too short to be short telephoto, so why a 50mm?[/QUOTE]

in Turkey 50mm 1.8D is 140$(new) if the 1.8 E series is not as good as a 1.8D then I guess I am gonna buy a new 1.8D. "Why 50mm?" it is cheap and I need a normal lens for portraits, I am using my D90 with its kit lens 18-105 more than 1 year, and looking for a cheap sharp thing to have, 35mm is expensive and I am gonna use the lens with an extension tube and/or reversed so I need a lens with aperture ring on it. Also I am planing to use it for panaromic shots because I know it has no distortions at all and it is sharp and I believe I can use it as a portrait lens, I saw many good example portrait shots with a 50mm 1.8D on D90. These are my reasons, by the way what you think about 50mm 1.8D actually everybody says it is good, but is there anything important??

Thanks...

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by villainmack

in Turkey 50mm 1.8D is 140$(new) if the 1.8 E series is not as good as a 1.8D then I guess I am gonna buy a new 1.8D

The thing with the E lens is that you won't get autofocus, and you won't get metering so you will have to use it in manual mode and either guess the exposure or get a light meter. I don't know how experienced you are so it's difficult to advise which is more suitable for you. If you're happy guessing exposures, using light meters and shooting in manual mode with no auto focus then the E series lens would be fine.

Originally Posted by villainmack

I am gonna use the lens with an extension tube and/or reversed so I need a lens with aperture ring on it

Yes. It is only the G series Nikkor lenses that don't have aperture rings so the D or E would be OK. 50mm is OK reversed but you get better magnification with shorter focal lengths.

Originally Posted by villainmack

Also I am planing to use it for panaromic shots because I know it has no distortions at all and it is sharp

Id does distort, just not very much. It will be more susceptible to things like lens flare and a lot more susceptible to chromatic abberations though.

Originally Posted by villainmack

I believe I can use it as a portrait lens, I saw many good example portrait shots with a 50mm 1.8D on D90

Both lenses would be fine as portrait lenses.

Originally Posted by villainmack

These are my reasons, by the way what you think about 50mm 1.8D actually everybody says it is good, but is there anything important??

I've not used the 50mm D lens but I have the 85mm D which I rate very highly. If you can afford it, I would go for the D lens as it will make your life much easier when shooting but it depends on how much you can afford.

[villainmack]

I think I cant afford a 85mm anyway I am gonna stick to 50mm 1.8d )

[xavier]

Hi villainmack
I would sujest you buy new. Its just the way look at it is if its from areptuable outlet one should not have any problems technaly, plus if anything dose go wrong you can complane. its just that I have a phobia with regards second hand. the item may be in the best condition but my fear is there is the item is faulty and one has no cume-back with second hand.

[villainmack]

Originally Posted by xavier

Hi villainmack
I would sujest you buy new. Its just the way look at it is if its from areptuable outlet one should not have any problems technaly, plus if anything dose go wrong you can complane. its just that I have a phobia with regards second hand. the item may be in the best condition but my fear is there is the item is faulty and one has no cume-back with second hand.

thats the thought I have about used item buying, but sometimes if you are lucky used item could be great bargain!! anyway 50mm 1.8d new is my decision, is there anyone want to share thoughts??

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by xavier

Hi villainmack
I would sujest you buy new. Its just the way look at it is if its from areptuable outlet one should not have any problems technaly, plus if anything dose go wrong you can complane. its just that I have a phobia with regards second hand. the item may be in the best condition but my fear is there is the item is faulty and one has no cume-back with second hand.

If you check a lens thoroughly before you buy it, then second hand lenses are fine. There really is no reason to be scared of second hand lenses if you test them properly. The only way I could afford to buy both my Sigma 10-20mm and Nikon 85mm f/1.8 was second hand and both are perfect.

Originally Posted by villainmack

anyway 50mm 1.8d new is my decision, is there anyone want to share thoughts??

As I said above, the 50mm AF-D is a better lens than the E version. It's the choice of focal length I would think about - 85mm or even 100mm might be better for portraits, it depends on what sort of portraits and how you shoot them (studio/on location etc.)