p.1 #1 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
Hey guys - I'm thinking about buying a 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E to practice my manual focus skills, and potentially to keep in the long run to use on my Fuji with converter. There seems to be at least 6 versions of the manual 50mm 1.8 released including 1 AI, 3 AIS, and 2 E. I know each has slightly different design, and maybe different coating as well. Which one would you recommend?
p.1 #2 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
I've tried an AI, several AIS and several copies of the E version. The best one in my opinion is the 50mm 1.8 AIS long nose version. This would have a serial # between 3135197 and 3304551. I find it to be an outstanding lens. I use it mainly at f2.
p.1 #5 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
Since OP discussed learning/practicing focusing skills....
The difference between the AIS and AI version of Nikkors has as much to do with the focusing barrel as the IQ...the focusing barrels of the AI versions have a longer "throw" that may be preferred for video tracking shots...and for "critical" focusing....the shorter throw AIS focusing barrels make the image "pop" in and out of focus much more quickly, too quickly for some people's ability to focus...but the "in-out" focus is more apparent.
p.1 #6 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
The 50mm E is a nice lens. Good wide open but could have greater contrast. If you can, get the 50mm f1.8 AIS MK.II pancake (Japanese market only) which is a little more expensive than the E. It's the one that focuses down to 0.45 and it's very sharp wide open. Not to confuse this with the other 50mm AIS pancake. I had to import mine off Ebay from a seller in Japan.
p.1 #7 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
I'm not sure which 50 is "the best", but I can share my experience with the manual focus 50's I have actually owned: The 50 f/2 AI, 50 f/2 Nikkor-H and 50 1.8 AIS pancake. If you're after sharpness, the Nikkor-H 50/2 and the 50 1.8 AIS pancake go head to head. The 50 f/2 AI is a little "cloudy" wide open, but makes up for it in the bokeh. I did a side by side between the 50 f/2 AI and Noct-NIKKOR 58 1.2 and I was surprised at how close they render both wide open. The difference is that the f/2 was cloudy wide open and the Noct is extremely sharp at f/1.2.
The 50 1.8 AIS pancake is a nice little lens. Biggest annoyance I had with it was the very narrow focus ring - ergonomically, it's somewhat tricky to grab and it feels like you're unscrewing a body cap. It's really sharp and has great color rendering.
The 50 f/2 Nikkor-H is my current favorite of all the 50's (excluding the exotic NOCT) It's dirt cheap, has metal focus ring, has a stylish silver front ring, and is solidly built. The only catch with this lens is that it's a Pre-AI Nikkor, which means you will either have to convert it to AI or you have to have a Df with flip-up lever to mount it.
p.1 #8 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
Yes, I have the 50mm 1.8 E with serial # 2167167. I used it only when I tested it against other 50mm lenses years back. As I recall, it performed quite well, but didn't match the image quality of the AIS long nose version. Pictured is the long nose with deep recessed glass.
p.1 #9 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
The 50/1.8 question never has a simple answer. In a nutshell, the long, stepped down nose lens shown above is the sharpest wide open. Of the pancakes, the 2nd generation E lens and the Ai-S are actually identical, even though everyone will tell you they are not. The difference in sharpness between these and the stepped down nose version is small and is erased north of f/2.8, so enjoy the small size if that's what you really want.
ETA: One more advantage of the stepped down nose is the 0.45m MFD.
p.1 #10 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
I might as well add this. 1st generation E on a D40. Slightly less sharp than the pair above, but makes up for it with its cool looks. If they ever made an AF version, it would be a hot seller.
p.1 #11 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
Another which one is best post. While it is fun to theorize it is only in the use of different glass that you are able to find out for yourself. What is best for you may not be best for me. Price, contrast, weight, all these things are variables.
I have tried almost every lens listed. The ones that I use now the most are a 50 1.4 s non-ai and a Ai 50 f/2. Yes an Ai model. They did not just make non-ai versions. My serial number is 3700xxx.
That is an excellent suggestion and also the non AI 1.4 can be picked up very cheaply. Many prefer the SC version but my copy of the S is fantastic. And you don't need a DF only. My D 5100 works just great with the non AI lenses. Just don't try to mount them on a body with a focus motor built into it. Good luck and have fun
p.1 #12 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
Joseph I see that you did mention the AI model. I am not certain of the differences between the H and AI models. Or what you mean by cloudy. I am under the belief that they differ only in coatings and
Focus throw. Is that correct?
I also just realize I did not answer what the OP originally asked. I prefer the 50 ai 1.8.
p.1 #15 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
I have the 2nd gen E pancake. It's adorable!
The contrast and sharpness and slight vignetting wide open is not so adorable at times, but it is of good enough quality that I've made some money-making shots with it. I have a 12x18 inch enlargement on my wall, right over the piano. It was made at f2.8 on Fuji reala 100 on an FM2. It looks awesome at a viewing distance of one foot.
Yes, there are issues at f1.8. They are cleaned up a bit at f2, but most is cleaned up at f2.8, and it's safe at f4. Depending on how far you are from the subject, there can still be plenty of opportunity to practise DOF technique at f2.8.
If practicing with manual focus is the primary reason you want a 50mm manual, get a second gen E if you are on a tight budget. I bought mine for $25 from a gentleman at Panera aka St. Louis Bread Company. If you have a bit more money, I would trust the other forum members here who recommend the long nose AI-S. I have never used the long nose model, but I would take their advice.
p.1 #16 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
buthurt wrote:
Hey guys - I'm thinking about buying a 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E to practice my manual focus skills, and potentially to keep in the long run to use on my Fuji with converter. There seems to be at least 6 versions of the manual 50mm 1.8 released including 1 AI, 3 AIS, and 2 E. I know each has slightly different design, and maybe different coating as well. Which one would you recommend?
Thanks!
If you're looking to buy a 50 just to practice your focusing skills, then I wouldn't get any of the ones mentioned. I'd buy the 55mm f2.8 AIS micro. Not only can you use it as a "normal" lens, you can shoot close up as much as 1:2. And with a cheap tube like the PK-13, you can shoot at 1:1. It's also great at distance. This is a very versatile and sharp lens with beautiful bokeh wide open. Here's a link to some pics taken by it.
p.1 #17 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
Leighton... Although I own the 55mm 3.5, I know very little about the 2.8 version. Thanks for the link with the great samples. I'm particularly impressed with the buttery smooth bokeh. Certainly a good option for the OP.
p.1 #19 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
versello wrote:
I think you are correct about mk2 pancake starting with 2x serial. According to http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index6.htm, that appears to be the case. Just to be sure, when I purchased mine, I specifically looked at the photos and made sure there was a focus mark for 0.45m and not just end at 0.6m
Yea I think that's probably the one I'm gonna get. Have been watching ebay recently - those go at over 80 most of the times, I was a bit surprised
p.1 #20 · Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI/AIS/E - which one is the best?
The mk2 pancake lens (aka metal version of the series E) is a true underdog. It's a fun little lens. I often use it with my a7II and it's plenty sharp. Price-wise $80 is actually decent. I've owned two copies over the past 8 years and I paid around $120 for both. You can get even closer focusing by adding a K-1 macro ring.
