Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI-S

We don’t have a vetted photo of this one yet. Own a copy? Send us a packshot and we’ll credit you.

Six-element standard lens that exists in three AI-S forms: the long-barrel export version described here (210g, 0.45m, 1981 to 1985), a Japan-only pancake (170g) and the later plastic-focus-ring pancake (145g, 0.6m close focus, 1985 to 2005). The long-barrel lens carries over the AI 50/1.8 optics, while the pancakes use the compact Gauss design shared with the Series E. Distortion is very low; wide open there is some flare and corner falloff, and it is at its best from about f/4. Focus throw is about 130 degrees on the long-barrel version.

Key specs

Focal length

50 mm

Max aperture

f/1.8

Mount

Nikon F

Image circle

Full frame

Close focus

0.45 m

Filter thread

52 mm

Weight

210 g

Field of view by sensor

Full frame

39.6° horizontal · frames like 50 mm on full frame

Super 35

28° horizontal · frames like 72.3 mm on full frame

Micro Four Thirds

19.6° horizontal · frames like 104 mm on full frame

What it goes on

F-mount's 46.5mm flange takes a thin glassless adapter to Canon EF and adapts to every mirrorless mount; the aperture ring is fully mechanical and easy to de-click. For video the long-barrel version is the one to look for: it has more ring to grip or gear and focuses 15cm closer than the late pancake.

• Nikon F camerasNativeURSA Mini Pro 12K, URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2
• Canon EF camerasWith adapterALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 +14 more

  Novoflex EOS/NIK · Fotodiox Pro NIK-EOS. 2.5 mm of room is enough for a plain ring. G-type lenses without an aperture ring need an adapter with its own iris lever.

• Sony E camerasWith adapterRonin 4D-6K, Ronin 4D-8K, Alpha 1 II, Alpha 7 IV +13 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 28.5 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• Canon RF camerasWith adapterEOS C400, EOS C50, EOS C70, EOS C80 +10 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 26.5 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• L-Mount camerasWith adapterCinema Camera 6K, PYXIS 12K, PYXIS 6K, Ronin 4D-6K +6 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 26.5 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• Micro Four Thirds camerasWith adapterMicro Studio Camera 4K G2, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Lumix BGH1, Lumix GH6 +1 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 27.3 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• Nikon Z camerasElectronic adapterKOMODO-X 6K S35, V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV, V-RAPTOR XE

  Nikon FTZ / FTZ II. Nikon's own adapter. AF only with AF-S / AF-P lenses; manual AI-S lenses mount and meter.

• Leica M camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, Ronin 4D-6K +1 more

  18.7 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.

• LPL camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, URSA Cine 17K 65

  2.5 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.

See every camera this lens fits →

Sources: photosynthesis.co.nz, photosynthesis.co.nz, imaging.nikon.com