Nikon 50 mm. 1.8

[turnbeaugh5]

I want to buy a 50 mm. 1.8 prime for a Nikon d40x. I have heard however that Nikon is coming out with a new one that will actually autofocus on th d40s and d60s. If that's the case, I will wait for that. Does anyone know if and when Nikon will be coming out with that?

 

[epp_b]

I'm curious to know where you heard or read this. The D40 has been out for years and I have yet to hear of even a rumor that Nikon is making an AF-S prime lens. Manual focus isn't that bad with the D40, and the existing f/1.8D AF lens is a steal even if it won't AF with the D40[x].

I just picked up a used Series E f/1.8 on eBay for $30 for my D40. You can find these old manual lenses all over eBay for very cheap and they are optically perfect. You can only use them in M mode, and you have to do everything manually -- metering, focusing, flash leveling, etc. -- but it's worth the money if you can get a good deal.

 

[turnbeaugh5]

I heard it from an employee at my local camera shop. He seemed to be a little foggy on the details, that's why I thought I would ask here.

 

[epp_b]

I don't think I'd hold my breath. If it never happens, there's always the current AF model or old manual ones you can buy.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

wait till the 27th, if you don't hear anything, get the sigma 50mm f/1.4 if you want AF.

 

[epp_b]

True, Sigma makes an f/1.4 DG-M (equivalent to Nikon AF-S), but it's pretty pricey.

 

[photogincollege]

The reason why switch said wait is that there is a giant camera show coming up that most big announcements are made at, and if its coming out soon, it will be announced there.

 

[photogincollege]

I think thats why at least

 

[Sw1tchFX]

yep, and dont' expect the new 50 to be cheap, it's going to be at least $600

 

[sburatorul]

if its gonna be that pricey... who needs af anyway ) imma stick with the AF 1.8 version

 

[turnbeaugh5]

I agree. Auto focus is not worth an extra $500!!

 

[Garbz]

But if it's actually sharp it might be :roll:

 

[epp_b]

Is there something optically wrong with the current f/1.8 AF?

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Is there something optically wrong with the current f/1.8 AF?

It's a 30 year old design, that's what's wrong with it.

 

[sabbath999]

When people rave about the "nifty fifty" it is generally the Canon 1.8 they are talking about. It is a fantastic lens for the money.

The Nikon 1.8 (which I own) isn't nearly as sharp as the Canon (which I have used) until you stop it down to f/5.6... and stopping it down to f/5.6 kind of defeats the whole purpose of this lens, doesn't it?