50mm 1.8

[DeWei]

Hi guys I would like to know whether 50mm 1.8 is better than the 18-70mm kit lens? This prime lens cost how much and I would like to know the stock availability (heard that it is out of stock).. Thanks

[zcf]

50mm f/1.8 is a prime
18-70mm is a zoom (I presume it's Nikon)

For image quality, creativity, low light shots, bokeh etc Prime win.

For convenient, time saving, flexibility, zoom win.

Know what you like to shoot and choose which lens you prefer.

Best is get both, as each got their own uses (if you know how to use them efficiently).

[tltan]

please do a search. They are different.

All I can say, its worth it to get the lens.

There was a thread just recently discussing this.

[roygoh]

What properties are you comparing between the 2 lenses?

The 50/1.8 will have better optics, wider aperture, smaller and lighter but the 18-70 is more flexible because of the zoom and possibly faster focusing because of the AFS. Each is suitable for a different set of application.

What's the target application? If you need to shoot an event the 18-70 would be more suitable but if you are doing portrait, still life or close-ups the 50mm would be a better choice.

[DeWei]

I own Nikon AFS-18-70 as it comes as the kit lens but I find it is not very sharp, can anyone suggest the retail price for 50mm 1.8 and its availability?

[ah.zeep]

Originally Posted by DeWei I own Nikon AFS-18-70 as it comes as the kit lens but I find it is not very sharp, can anyone suggest the retail price for 50mm 1.8 and its availability?

See http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=151190 whose prices are still not too far off. Availability? About 2 weeks ago the 50mm f/1.8 was hard to find. There was another thread on it Wonder if the situation has improved. Go call up the shops and ask.

[longkangman]

check here
http://www.nikon.com.sg/productitem....106-387119c054

and the price list shop telephone in the forum.

[DeWei]

Thanks everyone.

[cikgoo]

i've recently read comments on some members here (and also in dpreview forum) ditching the 50mm f1.8 after getting the sigma 18-50 f2.8 or the tamron 17-50 f2.8

they were mentioning that these 3rd party zooms are unbelievably sharp that makes the 50mm f1.8 quite redundant, since that range is covered in the new zooms.

any comments ??

[slooow]

Originally Posted by cikgoo i've recently read comments on some members here (and also in dpreview forum) ditching the 50mm f1.8 after getting the sigma 18-50 f2.8 or the tamron 17-50 f2.8 they were mentioning that these 3rd party zooms are unbelievably sharp that makes the 50mm f1.8 quite redundant, since that range is covered in the new zooms. any comments ??

may i say that i am not a pro so please forgive me if my comment is noobish...

you are comparing a cat and dog... prime vs zoom...
even the f/ is different...

also, f/1.8 does not make image unbelievably sharp... it makes the lense bright...

for $170.... a nikkor prime lense.... i think it will never be redundant...
although this 50mm f/1.8 is now plastic and made in china... it is still an outstanding lense.

for $170, it is argued that it isnt worth paying $450 for nikkor 50mm f/1.4

if redundant can always sell me...

thanks thanks hehehe

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by cikgoo i've recently read comments on some members here (and also in dpreview forum) ditching the 50mm f1.8 after getting the sigma 18-50 f2.8 or the tamron 17-50 f2.8 they were mentioning that these 3rd party zooms are unbelievably sharp that makes the 50mm f1.8 quite redundant, since that range is covered in the new zooms. any comments ??

if like that why not compare AF-S 200mm F2 to sigma 70-200mm F2.8???

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by slooow if redundant can always sell me... thanks thanks hehehe

hey... you should had said... "sell me cheaply as they are ditching it".

pss... i don't mind collect extra 50mm f1.8 too.

[creampuff]

Interested to get the 50mm f1.8. However I was told the new D version is China made and the lens mount is supposedly less durable than the previous AF version. Can anybody shed light if the D lens is the better of the two?

[tltan]

Originally Posted by creampuff Interested to get the 50mm f1.8. However I was told the new D version is China made and the lens mount is supposedly less durable than the previous AF version. Can anybody shed light if the D lens is the better of the two?

My take: just get the AFD. Made in China also not a problem seriously as many products are made there nowadays. But if you want, get the manual lenses, I think those are built to last for a lifetime! hehe.

Regards,
tltan

[glennyong]

so are you telling me that your TV sets, your Xboxes, your Refrigerators, which is practically all made in china.... are they going to break down or eeven explode after 2 years ??

come on... its a Nikon's Nikkor we are talking here.... believe in their QC..

even if there are a few bad lenses in the market doesnt meant that lens made in china are bad...

and if thats the case... i will say, these 50mm f/1.8 AFD lens can whoop the Sigma 50mm 1.8 AF big time ..... and erm. Sigma made in japan. and they are also well known for QC problems.. so whats the big fuss on whos making them ??

------------------------------------------------------------

Nikon 50mm F1.8 AFD is a prime. its fixed. no zoom. but because of its large aperture, and its optical quality, it is known to be one of the best performers entry class portraiture lens. many wedding photographers have these lens as one of their arsenals.

50mm F/1.8 and F/1.4 no point comparing, many will say its a better lens den the 1.8, and etc etc.... well.. each has their own opinions.

18-70mm AFS is a zoom lens, it has rotating elements. its front part protrude which is prone to dust or micro sand which will get into the lens. (sand wun get in unless u chiong desert like me ... ) 18-70 is good lens i must say.. light it has wide angle to mid tele.

if you dun mind its rather small aperture, 18-70 is a very good range of lens to own. it doenst overlap the ranges, 18-70 means if u take a 70-200 VR, it doesnt overlap range also.....

price range... 50mm F1.8 will set u for a nice nice $180- $220...
while the 18-70mm will set u for around $350 for a used set.

hope my 2cents can help.

Made in china not necessary means not good...

[glennyong]

Originally Posted by tltan My take: just get the AFD. Made in China also not a problem seriously as many products are made there nowadays. But if you want, get the manual lenses, I think those are built to last for a lifetime! hehe. Regards, tltan

yes..agreed.. those Ais lenses.... wah.... metal construction....

[cikgoo]

Originally Posted by jnet6 if like that why not compare AF-S 200mm F2 to sigma 70-200mm F2.8???

of coz they are different in terms of aperture, but the fact is i have seen many sold 50mm after getting even 17-55mm f2.8, so im asking for their comments....

quoting your example, if you owned a 70-200VR, would you splurge extra cash to get the AFS200 and why ?

[Hojunior]

Originally Posted by tltan My take: just get the AFD. Made in China also not a problem seriously as many products are made there nowadays. But if you want, get the manual lenses, I think those are built to last for a lifetime! hehe. Regards, tltan

same old question.hehehe...

[DeWei]

Originally Posted by glennyong so are you telling me that your TV sets, your Xboxes, your Refrigerators, which is practically all made in china.... are they going to break down or eeven explode after 2 years ?? come on... its a Nikon's Nikkor we are talking here.... believe in their QC.. even if there are a few bad lenses in the market doesnt meant that lens made in china are bad... and if thats the case... i will say, these 50mm f/1.8 AFD lens can whoop the Sigma 50mm 1.8 AF big time ..... and erm. Sigma made in japan. and they are also well known for QC problems.. so whats the big fuss on whos making them ?? ------------------------------------------------------------ Nikon 50mm F1.8 AFD is a prime. its fixed. no zoom. but because of its large aperture, and its optical quality, it is known to be one of the best performers entry class portraiture lens. many wedding photographers have these lens as one of their arsenals. 50mm F/1.8 and F/1.4 no point comparing, many will say its a better lens den the 1.8, and etc etc.... well.. each has their own opinions. 18-70mm AFS is a zoom lens, it has rotating elements. its front part protrude which is prone to dust or micro sand which will get into the lens. (sand wun get in unless u chiong desert like me ... ) 18-70 is good lens i must say.. light it has wide angle to mid tele. if you dun mind its rather small aperture, 18-70 is a very good range of lens to own. it doenst overlap the ranges, 18-70 means if u take a 70-200 VR, it doesnt overlap range also..... price range... 50mm F1.8 will set u for a nice nice $180- $220... while the 18-70mm will set u for around $350 for a used set. hope my 2cents can help. Made in china not necessary means not good...

Why Nikkor 50mm 1.8 is more expensive than Canon 50mm 1.8 MKII?

[creampuff]

Originally Posted by glennyong so are you telling me that your TV sets, your Xboxes, your Refrigerators, which is practically all made in china.... are they going to break down or eeven explode after 2 years ?? come on... its a Nikon's Nikkor we are talking here.... believe in their QC.. even if there are a few bad lenses in the market doesnt meant that lens made in china are bad... and if thats the case... i will say, these 50mm f/1.8 AFD lens can whoop the Sigma 50mm 1.8 AF big time ..... and erm. Sigma made in japan. and they are also well known for QC problems.. so whats the big fuss on whos making them ?? ------------------------------------------------------------ Nikon 50mm F1.8 AFD is a prime. its fixed. no zoom. but because of its large aperture, and its optical quality, it is known to be one of the best performers entry class portraiture lens. many wedding photographers have these lens as one of their arsenals. 50mm F/1.8 and F/1.4 no point comparing, many will say its a better lens den the 1.8, and etc etc.... well.. each has their own opinions. 18-70mm AFS is a zoom lens, it has rotating elements. its front part protrude which is prone to dust or micro sand which will get into the lens. (sand wun get in unless u chiong desert like me ... ) 18-70 is good lens i must say.. light it has wide angle to mid tele. if you dun mind its rather small aperture, 18-70 is a very good range of lens to own. it doenst overlap the ranges, 18-70 means if u take a 70-200 VR, it doesnt overlap range also..... price range... 50mm F1.8 will set u for a nice nice $180- $220... while the 18-70mm will set u for around $350 for a used set. hope my 2cents can help. Made in china not necessary means not good...

Hi, no need to get so worked up! I am well aware that made in China products need not necessarily mean shoddy and inferior. But it is a fact that Nikon, like many Japanese companies, has shifted production to places like China, Thailand and Indonesia as a cost saving move.

I have no problems using a made in China 50mm f1.8D lens, as I trust the QC is gonna be there. After all, as a fixed lens, the 50mm has been a common focal length for 35mm photography for decades, irrespective of the brand of camera one uses. As a short tele in the digital format, the 50mm has been given a new lease of life in my opinion.

Build quality wise, let's not compare with the AI-S manual lenses as they are for the most part not readily used with the current crop of DSLRs. It is just that a seasoned photographer friend told me to opt for the older AF version over the D version of the 50mm as he felt that the build quality of the lens mount was a better trade-off than the distance info feature provided by the D lens. I guess we all have to contend with the trend towards increasing use of plastics to keep weight down, ease of manufacture and keep costs low.