Nikon 50 2,0 HC Auto

[Lumens Pixel]

I don't know whether it's still the case, but one used to be able to find the AI version of this lens dirt cheap. Some years ago I bought one from KEH in bargain condition (perfect looking, but maybe a bit stiff in focus) for something like 25 bucks, and later got one at a yard sale complete with a minty looking FG-20 for $5.  A really nice lens, robust and well behaved. These days, since "normal" is closer to 35 mm. I don't use mine much on DX digital, but the above photos remind me that I probably should.
I'm certainly no hot shot photographic artist, and have always tended to favor normal perspective. This is a lens that performs well with no surprises. Here is a picture of what I saw.

e.t.a. that last sentence should have quotes around it.  It's what I presume the lens says, not an invitation to see a picture which clearly is not here.

Should be interesting on DX where field curvature should be absent with a nice portrait focal length.

[Lumens Pixel]

Beautiful examples of use of this great lens.I have the AI version, great lens.

Thank you John!

[Erik Lund]

Very nice images!, classic 50mm view. IMHO these could have been shot more or less with any of the older Nikkor lenses, given your skill level is so high 

[Lumens Pixel]

Very nice images!, classic 50mm view. IMHO these could have been shot more or less with any of the older Nikkor lenses, given your skill level is so high 

Thank you Erik. I have just received a 50 1,8 AIS and the bokeh seems more jittery. That would have not resulted in a massive image change but for someone looking for the differences that might have an impact.

[Roland Vink]

Thank you Erik. I have just received a 50 1,8 AIS and the bokeh seems more jittery. That would have not resulted in a massive image change but for someone looking for the differences that might have an impact.

Do you have the compact 50/1.8 AIS or the long nose version? The compact version is based on the series-E lens, and while it is reasonably sharp I found the bokeh is rather harsh. The same optics were also used in the AF and AF-D versions. The long nose 50/1.8 AIS and AI versions have much smoother bokeh in my experience and is my favourite 50mm Nikkor. It also has a 7 blade aperture instead of 6 blades in the 50/2, so out of focus blurs have a nicer shape and nicer 14-point diffraction stars.

[Lumens Pixel]

Do you have the compact 50/1.8 AIS or the long nose version? The compact version is based on the series-E lens, and while it is reasonably sharp I found the bokeh is rather harsh. The same optics were also used in the AF and AF-D versions. The long nose 50/1.8 AIS and AI versions have much smoother bokeh in my experience and is my favourite 50mm Nikkor. It also has a 7 blade aperture instead of 6 blades in the 50/2, so out of focus blurs have a nicer shape and nicer 14-point diffraction stars.

I have the short version with 60 cm MFD. I have red somewhere on the web that computations were identical and that only coatings differ. Might not be the case.

[MEPER]

The coating difference is between the Series E-version and the standard AIS version?
Series E-version is single coated and AIS version has the standard multi layer coating Nikon used at that time.
The long nose 1.8 version which is made of metal also has the Nikon multi layer coating.

The two pancake versions the E-version has a higher weight as there is a alu-part which is plastic on the standard AIS version (at least on the one I have).
But I have heard that the E-version is cheaper made internally. I have never disassembled them :-)

[Lumens Pixel]

I have the short version with 60 cm MFD. I have red somewhere on the web that computations were identical and that only coatings differ. Might not be the case.

Correction. From your pages Roland, the long  and short 1,8s do not share the same computation.

[Roland Vink]

I have the short version with 60 cm MFD. I have red somewhere on the web that computations were identical and that only coatings differ. Might not be the case.

There are 4 versions of the "pancake" 50/1.8 lens:

• original series E lens with black plastic grab ring, 60cm close focus
• updated series E with metal grab ring
• AIS model sold only in Japan, looks similar to updated series-E lens but with all metal build, fully multicoated and 45cm close focus. This is the best version if you can get hold of one.
  Featured here: https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/story/0060/
• Last AIS model with plastic build including focus grip, fully multicoated, 60cm close focus

The same optics were used in the early AF and AF-D versions.

The long nose AI and AIS 50/1.8 use a different, less compact optical design. I think the sharpness is about the same but background rendition is smoother. I also prefer the full size barrel, I had the Japan version for a while but found the narrow aperture and focus rings too fiddly.

[MEPER]

Of the two pancake 50/1.8 versions I have the E-version has more metal than the non-E version.
The E-version has no. 2867455 and the non-E has no. 4425999. Both has 0.6m as min distance.
Then I have two long nose with no. 3244278 and 3279369 and both of these has 0.45m as mn distance.
They just sit in a cabinet. One mounted on an EM and another on a FE2. All lenses still have smooth focus.