Melville, N.Y. – Nikon officially confirmed rumors circulating the blogger community that it is adding an updated 50mm f1.8 lens to its arsenal in the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.
The lens will carry a $220 suggested retail price when it arrives on retail shelves on June 16.
It offers Nikon FX camera format users a fast, affordable, compact prime lens with a classic normal focal length for a wide-range of shooting scenarios. The fast 1.8 aperture is designed for low-light shots and portraits with a nice circular bokeh effect.
It is also fully compatible with cropped DX format camera models.
Nikon said the new lens renders “tack-sharp” image quality and “Nikon core technologies that improve upon the original to make a great lens even better.”
“The 50mm lens has been a staple for photographers since the 35mm film days, and this new lens enables Nikon customers that shoot photos and movies to discover the creative benefits of this traditional focal length,” said Lisa Osorio, Nikon marketing general manager. “This f/1.8 prime lens offers exceptional image quality and control, and benefits from modern Nikon technologies to enhance performance such as the Silent Wave Motor and use of an aspheric lens – it’s a very attractive package for any shooting discipline.”
For close-ups, the AF-S 50mm f1.8G will focus as close as 1.48 feet, and will provide wide depth of field control.
The integration of an ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, whisper-quiet AF operation, which is essential when recording movies.
The lens is made with seven elements in six groups, with one aspherical lens element to reduce instances of coma and aberration.
A rounded diaphragm opening combined with the seven-blade aperture contributes to a substantially more circular bokeh for a more natural appearance of out-of-focus background elements, Nikon said.
Super Integrated Coatings are employed to suppress lens flare and chromatic aberration while ensuring vivid color balance.
