The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G is a normal lens for Nikon SLR Cameras. It’s useable on both Full Frame FX format and DX format digital SLRs. The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G is useable on many late model Nikon film cameras too *. The lens is an update that adds a built-in focus motor and upgraded optics to one of Nikon’s most popular focal length and aperture combinations. It’s sometimes referred to as a ‘normal’ or ‘standard’ lens because it produce a field of view roughly matching the human eye and are not considered wide angle or telephoto but rather in-between. All in all it’s a modern classic.

The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G is an especially good choice for anyone learning photography. The f/1.8 aperture allows experimentation with shallower depth of field and shooting in lower lighting. The fixed focal length forces a photographer to think more concretely about the compositional and perspective effects of physically moving the camera rather than complacently relying on a zoom mechanism to change framing. It’s also an especially affordable way for a photographer to experience the level of sharpness and contrast possible from even higher end lenses. Being unencumbered by the optical compromises zoom lenses have to make, the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G more compact, sharper, and brighter than most zooms while still being one of the more inexpensive Nikon lenses available.