Thom's Commentary: Similar to what happened with the 35mm, Nikon has now added a tweener between the 50mm f/1.2 S and the 50mm f/1.8 S, only not as an S lens. This new lens is not exceptionally sharp wide open or in the corners—despite Nikon's claims of edge-to-edge clarity—with an emphasis on how the background blurs (bokeh). While Nikon touts the lens as close focusing, it really isn't a close range performer (1:5.8 magnification ratio). The primary attribute of this new lens is that it is substantially less expensive than the previous S-line lenses.
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Nikon Z Camera Owners: Up-to-date information and new articles by Thom Hogan are available at zsystemuser.com, which continues to follow all Nikon mirrorless camera news and information in 2026 and the future.
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- Coverage: full frame (FX)
- Build: dust and drip resistant
- Optic design:
- 10 elements in 7 groups
- 1 aspherical, 2 ED elements
- Field of view: 47° diagonal
- Stabilization: none (use sensor-VR if available)
- Additional controls: control ring in addition to focus ring
- Aperture:
- f/1.4 to f/16
- ?-blade diaphragm
- Focus:
- autofocus, internal focus
- 15" (0.37m) minimum focus
- 1:5.8 maximum magnification ratio
- two STM motors drive separate groups
- Filter: 62mm front filter ring
- Lens hood: supplied HB-115
- Size and Weight:
- 3.5" (86.5mm) long
- 3" (74.5mm) diameter
- 14.9 ounces (420g)
- Model number: 20128
- Price: US$500
- Announced: September 10, 2024