Nikon 1.8 50mm D - Dilemma

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Hi all,

I have got an eye on buying the above for a while. However, do understand I'll not be able to AF on my D5000.

My question is how easy is it to Manual focus this lens. I'll normally need to click portraits of my little 5 month old baby who will not stay still. In that case will this lens be okay, or should I just bite the bullet and go for an AF-S which is £100 dearer?
 
Personally, if you were trying to continuously track a kid (especially in low light), I'd go for the AF-S. Manual focusing isn't that tricky for most conventional scenarios, but most people who take pictures of their children often even find it tricky enough with an autofocusing lens, let alone having to manual focus!

Although obviously focusing will partly come down to the design of the focus ring on the f/1.8 D, switch your kit lens to manual focus and get a feel for it from there, using the focus indicator inside your viewfinder (it should be a green dot on the left hand side?). That might help give you a taste on what it would be like.
 
Very good suggestion from freecom. I have a D80 with the 50mm D lens and can say it is difficult to get focused pics of my 1.5 year old.


I would say go for the afs one.
 
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Thank you everyone for the inputs..I'll give it a try this eveng, manual focusing on my kit lens..but kind of get the feel it would be difficult to sustain focus on a moving baby..:)..will go for an AFS in that case.
 
Manual focusing the 18-55 is a non starter imo. The lens just isn't deigned to be manually focused and the throw is to short/grip too small.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
...or perhaps even the 35mm f/1.8
Click to expand...

I'd second that. You might find the 50mm a bit tight on a crop sensor, especially if you're indoors. I've got the 35 1.8, and it stays on my d90 for shots of my 7 month old, and she's a fast mover!!
 
maninsuitcase said:
Manual focusing the 18-55 is a non starter imo. The lens just isn't deigned to be manually focused and the throw is to short/grip too small.
Click to expand...

The suggestion was so that the OP would see how the focusing aids work on his D5000, and to give him a rough idea without having to spend any money - it wasn't meant to be taken any further than that.
 
Hi mate,
I've been looking at the AF-S version too but haven't found anyone with stock yet! I asked a similar question a couple of days ago and was advised to try the focal lengths with a kit lens. I tried shooting at 35mm and 50mm and will probably now get the 35mm 1.8 instead.
Personal preference but maybe worth a try. Let us know how you get on and if anyone has the 50mm in stock anywhere.

Phil.
 
freecom2 said:
The suggestion was so that the OP would see how the focusing aids work on his D5000, and to give him a rough idea without having to spend any money - it wasn't meant to be taken any further than that.
Click to expand...

No i do get that but mf on that lens is appalling to the point of pointless. I have a mf lens on a pentax slr I can focus fine if a bit slowly but the 18-55 on my d50 or d40 just is horrid the feel and the throw is too short so you don't have the fine grain control you need.

What I am trying to say is it's not really very indicative of if you can manual focus or not.
 
Phil1974 said:
Hi mate,
I've been looking at the AF-S version too but haven't found anyone with stock yet! I asked a similar question a couple of days ago and was advised to try the focal lengths with a kit lens. I tried shooting at 35mm and 50mm and will probably now get the 35mm 1.8 instead.
Personal preference but maybe worth a try. Let us know how you get on and if anyone has the 50mm in stock anywhere.

Phil.
Click to expand...

Grays of Westminster are saying they have stock at £199
 
@ freecom2 and Chris - Thanks for your inputs...do understand both sides..TBH did try manual focussing on my 18-55, though I was able to manage it did struggle with the grip as mentioned by Chirs..But yes it was hard to keep the focus locked on 5 month old wriggler! Not sure if the grips are better in prime lenses?
 
chris330 said:
I'd second that. You might find the 50mm a bit tight on a crop sensor, especially if you're indoors. I've got the 35 1.8, and it stays on my d90 for shots of my 7 month old, and she's a fast mover!!
Click to expand...

Do agree 35mm will be better indoors, but I've got indoors and outdoors in mind..so 50mm kind of fits my needs as it's somewhat in between 35 and 80mm..Not sure if I have this right?

Phil1974 said:
Hi mate,
I've been looking at the AF-S version too but haven't found anyone with stock yet! I asked a similar question a couple of days ago and was advised to try the focal lengths with a kit lens. I tried shooting at 35mm and 50mm and will probably now get the 35mm 1.8 instead.
Personal preference but maybe worth a try. Let us know how you get on and if anyone has the 50mm in stock anywhere.

Phil.
Click to expand...

Warehouse express do £199.00

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-50mm-f1-8-g-af-s-lens/p1525420
 
maninsuitcase said:
No i do get that but mf on that lens is appalling to the point of pointless. I have a mf lens on a pentax slr I can focus fine if a bit slowly but the 18-55 on my d50 or d40 just is horrid the feel and the throw is too short so you don't have the fine grain control you need.

What I am trying to say is it's not really very indicative of if you can manual focus or not.
Click to expand...

... However, manual focusing on the kit lens would be a very similar experience to manual focusing on the 50mm 1.8D i.e. awful, especially in conjunction with the relatively small D5000 viewfinder.
 
DigitalRelish said:
... However, manual focusing on the kit lens would be a very similar experience to manual focusing on the 50mm 1.8D i.e. awful, especially in conjunction with the relatively small D5000 viewfinder.
Click to expand...

Thanks Will..Guess with each post my thoughts are getting clearer, i.e. go for AF-S ;)..thanks
 
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