What is nifty fifty used for? Hi Hoggers! I contacted Nikon about a 50 mm lens my husband had on his old film camers and wanted to know if it was compatable with my D3200. I was really...

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

Hi Hoggers!
I contacted Nikon about a 50 mm lens my husband had on his old film camers and wanted to know if it was compatable with my D3200. I was really pleased to hear it was! I have only gotten into this hobby a year ago and in all honestly have not spent a whole lot of time on it. I retired the past year and now am gung-ho because I have more time to learn and retain what I learn (hopefully)
Anyhow, my question is what is the best use for this lens? I take photographs of everything that "turns my crank" :-D so please just give me the low down on the best use for this lens!
Thanks-Mapster :oops:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

mapster wrote:

Hi Hoggers! br I contacted Nikon about a 50 mm len... (show quote)

Two things it has going for it are it's large aperture - good for low light, and it's a prime, rather than a zoom lens, so you're likely to get better quality images.

Although you can attach the lens and use it, I don't think you're going to have auto focus, if that matters.

The 50mm was the industry standard for years, so you will find it good for shooting all sorts of scenes. Since it is not a zoom, you will be forced to work at composing, which is a good thing.

I'm sure you'll get good responses to your question.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Low light and blurred background. Both when you open the aperture wide open. Some like it for a portrate lens on a crop camera (which yours is). Like most prime lenses it is very sharp. Play with it and see if you like it. - Dave

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

jerryc41 wrote:

Two things it has going for it are it's large aper... (show quote)

Thanks for the info Jerry, I know it will not auto focus, but that is not a concern for me hopefully! I know it will take a little more effort, but I want to Learn, and the lens was "free"! How can you go wrong?
By the way, love love love your knowledge of getting around the web for answers for peoples question, I am always using them!

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

wilsondl2 wrote:

Low light and blurred background. Both when you open the aperture wide open. Some like it for a portrate lens on a crop camera (which yours is). Like most prime lenses it is very sharp. Play with it and see if you like it. - Dave

Thanks for another piece of advice Wilson'D., good to know also.

TheDman Loc: USA

I used to use mine as a loupe to look at slides.

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

I'm always on the lookout for old prime Nikon lenses. You'll have fun with it no matter what you're shooting. ;-)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mapster wrote:

Hi Hoggers! br I contacted Nikon about a 50 mm len... (show quote)

It will mount on your body, but it will NOT autofocus, even if its the 50mm F1.8D or 50mm F1.4D models. Naturally if its Ai-S it will not AF no matter what.
Any Nikon 50mm film lens will be a manual focus only lens on your particular body.
As for uses? Its acknowledged to be a great walk-around prime lens. I personally have not owned a 50mm prime for almost 6 years, I just never used mine since I had very good, fast zooms always available.
Enjoy it!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hi mapster - I happened to start a discussion on 50mm earlier this week. My discussion was focused on the Canon lens that will auto focus on Canon DSLRs. You can see several examples of how your older lens might work on your D3200 where the crop factor is more like a 80mm lens. The link is: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-177192-1.html

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

Photog8 wrote:

I'm always on the lookout for old prime Nikon lenses. You'll have fun with it no matter what you're shooting. ;-)

Thanks Photo, I am looking forward to it!

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

MT Shooter wrote:

It will mount on your body, but it will NOT autofocus, even if its the 50mm F1.8D or 50mm F1.4D models. Naturally if its Ai-S it will not AF no matter what.
Any Nikon 50mm film lens will be a manual focus only lens on your particular body.
As for uses? Its acknowledged to be a great walk-around prime lens. I personally have not owned a 50mm prime for almost 6 years, I just never used mine since I had very good, fast zooms always available.
Enjoy it!

Thanks MT Shooter, I always appreciate you wisdom!
The model number is listed as an auto 1:1.4, and I know I must use manual, am looking forward to giving it a try!

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

MT Shooter wrote:

It will mount on your body, but it will NOT autofocus, even if its the 50mm F1.8D or 50mm F1.4D models. Naturally if its Ai-S it will not AF no matter what.
Any Nikon 50mm film lens will be a manual focus only lens on your particular body.
As for uses? Its acknowledged to be a great walk-around prime lens. I personally have not owned a 50mm prime for almost 6 years, I just never used mine since I had very good, fast zooms always available.
Enjoy it!

Thanks MT Shooter, I always appreciate you wisdom!
The model number is listed as an auto 1:1.4, and I know I must use manual, am looking forward to giving it a try!

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

CHG_CANON wrote:

Hi mapster - I happened to start a discussion on 50mm earlier this week. My discussion was focused on the Canon lens that will auto focus on Canon DSLRs. You can see several examples of how your older lens might work on your D3200 where the crop factor is more like a 80mm lens. The link is: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-177192-1.html

Thanks CHG Canon,
I will be reviewing that link soon!

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

mapster wrote:

... please just give me the low down on the best use for this lens!...

The 50mm 1.4 is a great lens for everyday use but you might find it to behave like a short telephoto (75mm equivalent) on a Nikon crop sensor - not a bad starter lens for portraits if you don't get too close. It is normally considered the standard focal length for full frame. Closer to "normal" on a 1.5 crop sensor would be my favorite, the 35mm f/1.4 if you can find one.

Working without auto-focus with such a large aperture is not a tremendous burden, especially for those of us that grew up without it.

dtparker Loc: Small Town, NC

I have been through the zoom phase, and in fact, just ordered a nice 50mm f1.4 Ai-S (manual) Nikkor lens for my FA.

The 50mm "sees" about as our eyes see - that is why it is called normal.

On your camera, tho, it will be more like a 75mm, which should be great for portraits, or candids of individuals.

They are capable of wonderful photographs! Many famous photographers have used only a single normal lens for their work.

Just to try and be complete, for your camera, the equivalent "normal" lens would be a 35mm. Nikon makes a great one - the 35mm F1.8G DX.

Best wishes!

Dave