This performance for under $100 is a no-brainer

As one of the most reviewed, and probably most widely owned Nikon lenses, it doesn't really make sense to write yet another review. But I've always enjoyed my copy of the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D, so why not share?

Specs of this little jewel are as follows:

Lens Construction (elements/groups - 6 / 5
No. of Diaphragm Blades - 7
Minimum Aperture - 22
Closest Focusing Distance (m) - 0.45
Maximum Magnification (X) - 0.15
AF Actuator - Nikon Micro Motor
Filter Diameter (mm) - 52
Length x Max. Diameter (mm) - 39 x 63
Weight (g) - 155
Special Features - D Feature

Build and Use

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D is the latest version of the classic 50mm 'normal' lens. It's extremely light-weight, and low cost. What's changed from older versions of this lens is addition of the D metering chip. This lets the lens pass all the metering information to newer SLR bodies. Not a necessity, but a nice to have.

The construction honestly is about what you'd expect for the pricetag, lots of cheap feeling plastic and a little bit of play in the focus ring. But don't let that deter you, a lens doesn't have to weigh 5 pounds to produce results. At least is does have a metal lens mount instead of plastic found on some other consumer grade lenses. Even the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens has a plastic lens mount.

Distant and double aperture scales are painted, not engraved, and the lens does have a DOF scale. The lens is not one of the newer G style lenses without an aperture ring, no this lens is suitable for both Digital and Film bodies thanks to a full 35mm image circle and a mechanical aperture ring. The focusing ring has very distinct pattern and comfortable to hold, but it does rotate during focusing. Manual focus is comfortable to use despite a tiny bit of slop. AF is rather swift and relatively quiet, even with low-torque bodies like a D50 thanks to the small lens elements and short travel necessary for focusing. When focusing the inner tube extends by roughly 5 mm at close-up and almost fully retracts at infinity. All-in-all, Nikkor 50/1.8 D is decently built, comfortable lens that balances well with both light and heavy cameras.

Optics

This lens doesn't deviate from the tried and true 50mm formula, it's sharp and contrasty. Even shots wide open at f/1.8 are decently sharp in the center. At 1.8 however there is some edge light fall-off, and noticeable edge softness. By f/2.8 images are sharp edge to edge and light fall-off is a thing of the past. The sweet-spot of max sharpness is found by f/5.6 and hold until around f/11.

Flare is kept nicely under control, I've only noticed a hint of flare even in the worst case scenarios. Chromatic Aberrations are negligible, again you have to try to induce then - essentially take pictures that any decent photographer would know not to try. And as you'd expect, there is NO distortion of any kind.

The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D is a wickedly sharp, high contrast lens. In fact, it's almost to sharp to use for things like portraiture. You don't want your subject to be able to see every little pore in their skin! However, sharpness is a good trait, you just have to know how to apply it.

Certainly worth mentioning is that the bokeh (blur induced in out of focus areas) isn't the most pleasing you'll find. The lens only has 7 straight cut aperture blades, not the best formula for natural looking bokeh. But by being able to take sharp shots at an aperture below f/2.8, you can isolate your subject enough to essentially make the background one big smear, and take bokeh somewhat out of the equation. Again, you just have to know how to use the lense like any other. The bokeh isn't horrible, but it's just not as natural as you'll find on many other lenes such as the Nikon 85mm f/1.8.

The D function is a main reason to buy this Nikor over the non-D version. While some claim that D chip is meaningless feature, my experience says opposite - 3D flash returns more consistent flash photos. 50mm lens is great for full-length portraits, although it might be a little tight on a Digital SLR body with the 1.5x crop ... and since it's a prime, you zoom with your feet.

Conclusion

This is a great lens. Extremely sharp, very compact, decent built quality, good low-light performance - what else one can ask for $100. Don't expect miracles, know it's limitations, and it will produce excellent results.