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BlackCloud's Avatar
BlackCloud
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14-06-10, 11:32 PM
#1

For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Ok, lots of people want a 'nifty fifty' and the Nikon 50mm f1.8 as it is the cheapest and probably only prime lens they can own. Quality as everyone will tell you is excellent. I am selling because I need to downsize some kit, I have too much including another 50mm.

This lens is pin sharp, and at f1.8 gives you great working apertures wider and faster than typical zooms. You get quality shots at f1.8 but at 2.8 and f4 it is ideal and often your zooms have hardly started. Good bokeh too. These are the lenses to have for portraiture on a 'DX' format camera as the 50mm equates to around 75mm which is meant to be the ideal for that type of work. On Fx, it is of course, 50mm.

I'm just putting it up here for a couple of days to give YoPpers a chance to get this as I know many people are new-ish to photography and may not be familiar with some of the secondhand forums, protocols and regular sellers there. Typically these get snapped up in hours or less. This is a lens that is about 18 months old, from Jessops UK, very lightly used, is in excellent condition optically and to look at. It comes boxed with paperwork and end caps as from Nikon. It takes 52mm filters which are generally cheap although no filter or hood comes with it as they don't come standard from Nikon. This lens is the established 'D' series so works on all Nikons, but requires a motor in-body for autofocus. That means if you have a D50/70/80/90/100/200/300/700 etc. it works, if you have a D40/60/3000/5000 you need to manually focus (loads of people do this) or buy a 'G' series lens.

£80, boxed in excellent condition, delivered by RMSD (UK). Will take BT or PPG (latter for established members)


Update : SEE LAST POST 50mm f1.4 added at £145 just for tonight.
Kit 1
Nikon D700
Nikon 28-70 f2.8 ED AF-S (The Beast)
Nikon 80-200mm f2.8
Tamron 24-135 SP
Nikon 300mm f4
Nikon 70-300mm VR
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 (DX)
Nikon 28-105mm (great walkaround on D700!)
Lensbaby Composer
Nikon 20-35mm f2.8
Nikon SB800
Kit 2
Nikon D300
Nikon 20mm f2.8
Nikon 24mm f2.8
Nikon 28mm f2.8
Nikon 35mm f2
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 85mm f1.8
Micro-Nikon 60mm f2.8
Micro-Nikon 105mm f2.8
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
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14-06-10, 11:41 PM
#2

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Nifty fifties are nice lens - good luck with the sale
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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esmed
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15-06-10, 09:58 PM
#4

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

I've got a Nikon D5000 and might be interested but i'm still a complete novice so am a bit confused about the manual focussing thing? I currently only have the kits lens (18-55) but would like to expand my kit a bit and would like something that can do good portrait and landscape shots.
Kit 1
Nikon D5000
18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Tamron AF 70-300mm
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: None at present but soon to be Sony TX10 Camera


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
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Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
15-06-10, 10:25 PM
#5

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Es - manual focusing would mean the same as you putting your kit lens into 'manual' focus - so you would have to use the ring on the outer side to focus (otherwise it will be blurry). Some people prefer it, some don't.
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
esmed
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Location: Tiverton, Devon
Posts: 33
 
15-06-10, 10:38 PM
#6

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azz View Post
Es - manual focusing would mean the same as you putting your kit lens into 'manual' focus - so you would have to use the ring on the outer side to focus (otherwise it will be blurry). Some people prefer it, some don't.
Just had a quick play with that and had absolutely no idea you could do that!! Still sooo much to learn!!

Quite like the idea of manual focussing though on a quick play around. Can imagine it's great for close up shots.
Kit 1
Nikon D5000
18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Tamron AF 70-300mm
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: None at present but soon to be Sony TX10 Camera


     
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BlackCloud
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15-06-10, 10:42 PM
#7

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Hi Esmed

Yep this is the perfect portrait lens. You probably know that on a Nikon APS-C sized sensor (Dx format) the focal length will be magnified by 1.5x So the 50mm becomes 75mm. This focal length is considered ideal for portraits if you follow traditional rules because it gives the right perspective for close ups of head and shoulders/portraits. A prime lens, i.e. fixed focal length is designed to perform at just the one focal length whereas a zoom has to work over a great range (maybe 18-70mm) and therefore can never be ideal at all of them. Primes also tend to be faster lenses. In this instance it is f1.8, whereas a zoom may not start until f3.5 or even f4.5. this gives you a big advantage for low light work and shallow depth of field. Put all this together and you get the moody, low light window lit portraits...maybe someone smoking or deep in thought. Sure you have seen them.

On your D5000 you need to manually focus the image. The 5000 has no autofocus motor in the body. It generally takes lenses with the motor in the lens. Nikon have only recently started producing these in 50mm and they come in at around £250+ This 50mm is D series which is very popular and if you upgrade later to a D300 will autofocus, however on the D5000 it requires manual focus. Exposure remains fully automatic. To manually focus you simply twist the focusing ring until you see the image in focus in your viewfinder (just like the old days). In portrait situations this isn't really an inconvenience and in fact may be a preference as you have more control to focus on the point of interest. As a beginner I would suggest this is a good way to learn more about photography and think about your picture, and i don't mean that as a sales pitch! The disadvantage is it takes marginally longer and you may find initially you arent as quick as your camera at focussing.

Landscapes then the lens is certainly capable of performing better than your zoom. Set it to f11 on a tripod or solid base and it is pin sharp. You won't get better even by spending hundreds of pounds. The 50mm is considered excellent performance and great value. At 50mm though, it won't be good for a wide angle landscape. You would need something more like 12-24mm on your 5000. That's why generally you see photographers with a bag of lenses.

The 50mm is a great funs lens generally sought after by photographers as an introduction to prime lenes and quality. If you do portraits seriously consider it but it's not an ideal for the traditional idea of landscapes but it would be good for features where you need little foreground.

I hope that helps a little.
Kit 1
Nikon D700
Nikon 28-70 f2.8 ED AF-S (The Beast)
Nikon 80-200mm f2.8
Tamron 24-135 SP
Nikon 300mm f4
Nikon 70-300mm VR
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 (DX)
Nikon 28-105mm (great walkaround on D700!)
Lensbaby Composer
Nikon 20-35mm f2.8
Nikon SB800
Kit 2
Nikon D300
Nikon 20mm f2.8
Nikon 24mm f2.8
Nikon 28mm f2.8
Nikon 35mm f2
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 85mm f1.8
Micro-Nikon 60mm f2.8
Micro-Nikon 105mm f2.8
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8


     
esmed
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Posts: 33
 
15-06-10, 10:50 PM
#8

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackCloud View Post
Hi Esmed

Yep this is the perfect portrait lens. You probably know that on a Nikon APS-C sized sensor (Dx format) the focal length will be magnified by 1.5x So the 50mm becomes 75mm. This focal length is considered ideal for portraits if you follow traditional rules because it gives the right perspective for close ups of head and shoulders/portraits. A prime lens, i.e. fixed focal length is designed to perform at just the one focal length whereas a zoom has to work over a great range (maybe 18-70mm) and therefore can never be ideal at all of them. Primes also tend to be faster lenses. In this instance it is f1.8, whereas a zoom may not start until f3.5 or even f4.5. this gives you a big advantage for low light work and shallow depth of field. Put all this together and you get the moody, low light window lit portraits...maybe someone smoking or deep in thought. Sure you have seen them.

On your D5000 you need to manually focus the image. The 5000 has no autofocus motor in the body. It generally takes lenses with the motor in the lens. Nikon have only recently started producing these in 50mm and they come in at around £250+ This 50mm is D series which is very popular and if you upgrade later to a D300 will autofocus, however on the D5000 it requires manual focus. Exposure remains fully automatic. To manually focus you simply twist the focusing ring until you see the image in focus in your viewfinder (just like the old days). In portrait situations this isn't really an inconvenience and in fact may be a preference as you have more control to focus on the point of interest. As a beginner I would suggest this is a good way to learn more about photography and think about your picture, and i don't mean that as a sales pitch! The disadvantage is it takes marginally longer and you may find initially you arent as quick as your camera at focussing.

Landscapes then the lens is certainly capable of performing better than your zoom. Set it to f11 on a tripod or solid base and it is pin sharp. You won't get better even by spending hundreds of pounds. The 50mm is considered excellent performance and great value. At 50mm though, it won't be good for a wide angle landscape. You would need something more like 12-24mm on your 5000. That's why generally you see photographers with a bag of lenses.

The 50mm is a great funs lens generally sought after by photographers as an introduction to prime lenes and quality. If you do portraits seriously consider it but it's not an ideal for the traditional idea of landscapes but it would be good for features where you need little foreground.

I hope that helps a little.
Thanks, it was a really well-written and helpful post. I will have a play round with using manual focus on my current lenses tonight and i think i quite like the prospect of using it as a learning curb.

I'll have a think about it and if it's still available tomorrow evening i'll let you know. Completely understand if you still want to go ahead and advertise elsewhere tomorrow.
Kit 1
Nikon D5000
18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Tamron AF 70-300mm
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: None at present but soon to be Sony TX10 Camera


     
BlackCloud's Avatar
BlackCloud
Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Posts: 2,133
Comments/Critique welcome
 
15-06-10, 11:04 PM
#9

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

I'll leave it here until tomorrow evening, I am in no rush. Obviously it's whoever wants it and whenever. I know someone at work would probably be interested (they have a D5000) but I have bankrupted her enough with either things for sale or suggestions for new kit! Her hubby will be after me!

If I can help further feel free to ask, and I don't mean to get a sale, I can sell it easily elsewhere, but simply to help on anything. I posted it here exactly for the reason you may be considering it. Most people here have the 50mm in their kit already. I train people by profession so I am always an advocate of pushing the learning experience and getting to know what you are doing, why and how something works.

I'm not sure if your 5000 works in the same way as my D300, but you may have a switch on the camera body that sets continuous or single autofocus and also manual. If not, the switch may be on the lens or both. My D300 comes up with a confirmation green dot in the viewfinder when an object is in focus even in manual. You can of course choose to focus on something that may not be where the autofocus is aimed at.

Good luck.
Kit 1
Nikon D700
Nikon 28-70 f2.8 ED AF-S (The Beast)
Nikon 80-200mm f2.8
Tamron 24-135 SP
Nikon 300mm f4
Nikon 70-300mm VR
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 (DX)
Nikon 28-105mm (great walkaround on D700!)
Lensbaby Composer
Nikon 20-35mm f2.8
Nikon SB800
Kit 2
Nikon D300
Nikon 20mm f2.8
Nikon 24mm f2.8
Nikon 28mm f2.8
Nikon 35mm f2
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 85mm f1.8
Micro-Nikon 60mm f2.8
Micro-Nikon 105mm f2.8
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8


     
esmed
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Posts: 33
 
15-06-10, 11:10 PM
#10

Re: For Sale : Nikon 50mm f1.8D Nifty-fifty!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackCloud View Post
I'll leave it here until tomorrow evening, I am in no rush. Obviously it's whoever wants it and whenever. I know someone at work would probably be interested (they have a D5000) but I have bankrupted her enough with either things for sale or suggestions for new kit! Her hubby will be after me!

If I can help further feel free to ask, and I don't mean to get a sale, I can sell it easily elsewhere, but simply to help on anything. I posted it here exactly for the reason you may be considering it. Most people here have the 50mm in their kit already. I train people by profession so I am always an advocate of pushing the learning experience and getting to know what you are doing, why and how something works.

I'm not sure if your 5000 works in the same way as my D300, but you may have a switch on the camera body that sets continuous or single autofocus and also manual. If not, the switch may be on the lens or both. My D300 comes up with a confirmation green dot in the viewfinder when an object is in focus even in manual. You can of course choose to focus on something that may not be where the autofocus is aimed at.

Good luck.
I will be sure to let you know either way tomorrow evening. I've got to take the dog to the vet at 5:30 so will be after that. The bloomin dog has bankrupted me this month so i'll have to check funds as well!!
Kit 1
Nikon D5000
18-55mm VR Lens Kit
Tamron AF 70-300mm
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: None at present but soon to be Sony TX10 Camera


     
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