The following sample shots were taken with a D3x and RAW-converted via CaptureOne.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/80s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.0
Exposure
1/400s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.0
Exposure
1/1600s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.5
Exposure
1/640s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.5
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/200s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.0
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/2000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.2
Exposure
1/5000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/4000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/1600s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D3X
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/1600s
Verdict
Normal primes have a long standing reputation of high quality for an affordable price and the Nikkor AF-D 50 makes no exception to this rule. The lens is able to deliver very sharp images, at least slightly stopped down.
Typical for fast primes there is quite pronounced vignetting wide open as well as bokeh fringing. Distortions are about average for this lens class and usually not an issue for most subjects. CAs are well controlled. Bokeh is a bit on the rough side wide open, but improves by stopping down. Unfortunately the aperture blades are not rounded resulting in non-circular background highlights when stopped down.
On its own, this is a quite capable normal prime lens. However, there is of course also the modern successor, the Nikkor AF-S 50/1.4 G, which at the time of this review (May 2011) costs only slightly more and outperforms the ancient AF-D lens in most regards.
So, with no current Nikon camera around that actually requires a lens with an aperture ring, on the other hand many entry level Nikon DSLRs being sold today that do not provide AF functionality with screw driven lenses like the AF-D 50/1.4 it remains a little mystery why the lens is still offered new.
