Nikon announces the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens

Nikon has added another high-end lens to its arsenal. Today the manufacturer announced its new AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G compact lens, which puts some modern features into a classic. A 50mm lens is your standard, traditional model, but Nikon’s comes with some new technology built-in. The entire idea behind a 50mm lens is that it’s supposed to mimic the way a human eye takes in images – forget vignette filters or fisheye manipulations, the 50mm wants things to look how they look. And Nikon’s new addition keeps this in mind while also including enhancements, like its Silent Wave Motor.

The lens’ Silent Wave Motor trades out the traditional gear system that AF lenses use for one that utilizes ultrasonic vibrations. This means all-around smoother, faster focusing operations. Many DSLR beginners may not notice or care about the feature to begin with, but eventually you’ll appreciate the enhancement when you no longer find yourself waiting for your camera’s AF to do its job. And if you can’t decide between AF or MF, the M/A mode allows for quick switching, a helpful element for DSLR beginners and anyone transitioning from entirely auto-operating cameras.

Its f/1.8 aperature translates to clean images, even in low light settings. The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 also features an aspherical lens, which is both less expensive to produce and decreases aberrations. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating also helps to simultaneously reduce lens flare and improve color contrast – all while the lens’ inner construction stays true to the 50mm’s intentions and creates natural looking background blur in its image.

The lens will be available June 16 for $219.95. Check out some of the more technical specs below.

Focal length: 50mm
Max aperture: f/1.8
Minimum aperture: f/16
Format: FX/35mm
Minimum focus distance: 1.48ft
Focus mode: Auto, manual, manual/auto
Filter size: 58mm
Size: (Approximately; diameter x length) 2.8×2.1-inches
Weight: (Approximately) 6.6-ounces

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