Lens: Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS
Vintage: 1980-82
Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount
Needed Adapters: Reversing ring
Preferred Mounting: Reversed
Filter Thread: 52 mm
Controls: This lens has standard aperture and focus controls. When mounted in reverse
configuration, the focus does very little except reduce the working distance.
configuration, the focus does very little except reduce the working distance.
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Resolution vs Aperture:
This lens is sharpest at f/5.6 with the most
resolving aperture between f/4 and f/5.6. Above
this, diffraction progressively limits the resolution.
These numbers are typical for a 50mm lens.
This lens is sharpest at f/5.6 with the most
resolving aperture between f/4 and f/5.6. Above
this, diffraction progressively limits the resolution.
These numbers are typical for a 50mm lens.
Corner Sharpness vs Aperture:
Corner sharpness is a mess at f/2 (even worse at
f/1.8). I found that the sharpness in the center of
the image is much better at f/2.8 than wide open.
It is generally easier to get a sharp focus at f/2.8
than at f/1.8 or f/2 and I would recommend that
you use that aperture for focusing.
The corner sharpness improves to reasonable
levels at f/5.6 and is very good from f/8 and up.
For imaging above a magnification of 2:1, f5/6 will
work very well. Below 2:1 I would sacrifice a little
resolution and image at f/8 if you want the
corners to be reasonably sharp.
(Testing done at 1.34:1 magnification. Numbers
at each aperture setting will tend to improve as
the magnification is increased and worsen as the
magnification is decreased.)
Corner sharpness is a mess at f/2 (even worse at
f/1.8). I found that the sharpness in the center of
the image is much better at f/2.8 than wide open.
It is generally easier to get a sharp focus at f/2.8
than at f/1.8 or f/2 and I would recommend that
you use that aperture for focusing.
The corner sharpness improves to reasonable
levels at f/5.6 and is very good from f/8 and up.
For imaging above a magnification of 2:1, f5/6 will
work very well. Below 2:1 I would sacrifice a little
resolution and image at f/8 if you want the
corners to be reasonably sharp.
(Testing done at 1.34:1 magnification. Numbers
at each aperture setting will tend to improve as
the magnification is increased and worsen as the
magnification is decreased.)
Sharpness and Resolution vs Magnification:
This lens shows good sharpness and resolution,
at least in the center of the field. If you are just
looking at center sharpness, this lens
outresolves the Nikon 105vr at 1:1. That is the
advantage of a shorter focal length. It doesn't
have quite as high of a resolving power as a
dedicated macro lens of a similar focal length,
but that should be expected given that we are
using it for a purpose it wasn't designed for.
As expected, the corner sharpness at f/5.6
(green line on the graph) gets progressively
better as the magnification is increased and is
quite good at the higher end of the magnification
range.
This lens shows good sharpness and resolution,
at least in the center of the field. If you are just
looking at center sharpness, this lens
outresolves the Nikon 105vr at 1:1. That is the
advantage of a shorter focal length. It doesn't
have quite as high of a resolving power as a
dedicated macro lens of a similar focal length,
but that should be expected given that we are
using it for a purpose it wasn't designed for.
As expected, the corner sharpness at f/5.6
(green line on the graph) gets progressively
better as the magnification is increased and is
quite good at the higher end of the magnification
range.
Street Price: ~$100 - $150 in good used condition
Chromatic Aberration: This lens show minimal color fringing in the center
(about 0.10 - 0.50 pixel) and moderate on the periphery (1 - 2 pixels).
Anything below 1.0 pixel is good.
(about 0.10 - 0.50 pixel) and moderate on the periphery (1 - 2 pixels).
Anything below 1.0 pixel is good.
Image Contrast: Image contrast is good across the magnification range, not
as good as a typical bellows lens, but certainly adequate.
as good as a typical bellows lens, but certainly adequate.
Flare: No significant flare is evident during lens testing
Conclusion:
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS works pretty well as a macro lens when used in reversed configuration. The
resolution in the center of the frame is quite good at lower magnifications and reasonable at higher
magnifications.
If you have the need for razor sharp corners at lower magnification, this probably isn't the lens for you.
With the right choice of aperture, the corner performance at lower magnification can be significantly
improved with only a small reduction in resolution.
This lens is known for being a good "normal" lens at a relatively inexpensive price. It's nice to know that it
can be drafted into macro work if need be.
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS works pretty well as a macro lens when used in reversed configuration. The
resolution in the center of the frame is quite good at lower magnifications and reasonable at higher
magnifications.
If you have the need for razor sharp corners at lower magnification, this probably isn't the lens for you.
With the right choice of aperture, the corner performance at lower magnification can be significantly
improved with only a small reduction in resolution.
This lens is known for being a good "normal" lens at a relatively inexpensive price. It's nice to know that it
can be drafted into macro work if need be.
Basic Function: In reversed configuration can be used straight on the camera or with extension
tubes/bellows. Focusing is best control by adjusting the working distance or bellows extension.
tubes/bellows. Focusing is best control by adjusting the working distance or bellows extension.
Appearance:
Aperture: 7 blades.
Image Samples:
About 1.3:1 magnification, f/5.6, resized:
About 1.3:1 magnification, f/5.6, 1 to 1 crop:
Good pixel level detail.
Good pixel level detail.
About 3:1, f/5.6, focus stack of 12 images, resized:
About 3:1 magnification, f/5.6, 1 to 1 crop of a
single source image from above:
Again, good detail, no problems.
single source image from above:
Again, good detail, no problems.
Performance: Sharpness vs Magnification:
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 50/1.8 AIS shows sharpness
performance that varies from very good to fair
across the magnification of 0.5:1 to 4:1.
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 50/1.8 AIS shows sharpness
performance that varies from very good to fair
across the magnification of 0.5:1 to 4:1.
Performance: Resolution vs Magnification:
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 50/1.8 AIS shows resollution
performance that varies from very good to fair
across the magnification of 0.5:1 to 4:1.
This is a new graph that I recently constructed. I
have 4 lines that represent levels of performance
from outstanding (top) to fair (bottom). This
shows where this lens fit into the hierarchy that I
have created.
The Nikon 50/1.8 AIS shows resollution
performance that varies from very good to fair
across the magnification of 0.5:1 to 4:1.
