This lens is an AF-S update of the previously produced 50mm lenses, the autofocus with this lens is not as fast as some of the f/2.8 zooms but is quite adequate.
The image quality with this lens is very good even at f/1.4. Colors are represented vividly saturated and very sharp. There is no nano coating with this lens, however it handles back lighting very well with minimal ghosting and flare. This lens is not a massive advance from the previous 50mm lenses but has the main advantage of AF-S focussing with the built in motor for some of the lower level cameras which do not have built in motors.
Two focus modes are available with this f/1.4 aperture lens, M/A, manual priority autofocus and M, manual focus. There is a natural bokeh produced, due to the nine blade rounded diaphram of the lens.
Although all lens groups shift during focusing, the lens barrel length does not change. This lens is a great reasonably priced lens for normal photography in dull light due to the large aperture.
Lens specifications:
- Lens construction 8 elements, 7 groups,
- Picture Angle, FX 46°,
- Picture Angle, DX 31° 30′,
- F stop range, 1.4 to 16,
- Closest focusing distance 0.45 metres,
- Maximum reproduction ratio 0.15 times,
- Filter size 58mm
- Lens hood, HB-47,
- Lens case, CL-1013,
- Dimensions 73.5 x 54 mm,
- Weight 280 grams.
I absolutely love this lens. This lens has not come off my D3100 since I bought it 3 weeks ago. My primary purpose for buying this lens was to take portrait pictures indoors of my 2 year old son. I found that with using the kit lens, I still had to use the flash at times even with a high iso. That’s when I started researching new lenses.
I chose the new 50 mm lens due to its low light capabilities. This lens does such an amazing job that I have not used the flash at all since. It is important however to switch the white balance settings when moving from indoors to outdoors. I love how this lens is able to blur the backround, so much more than the kit lens could. I initially bought the d3100 to take better pictures than a point-and-shoot could, I feel that this lens has made a similar step-up from the kit lens.
All in all, I can’t see myself using the kit lens again. I easily got used to moving around a lot to take pictures, but when you’re trying to focus in on a active 2 year old, you’re used to doing that anyways. The investment truly is worth it in my opinion, especially if you’re trying to capture those priceless moments.