YONGNUO YN50mm F1.8N Standard Prime Lens, Large Aperture Auto Manual Focus AF MF for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
A 7.2-ounce 50mm F1.8 prime lens for Nikon DSLRs, offering a wide aperture at a budget price point.
This lens is a situational fit for Nikon DSLR users who prioritize a large F1.8 aperture and low cost over consistent autofocus performance and premium build quality. Its 7.2-ounce weight makes it portable, but its optical and mechanical compromises are significant trade-offs for the price.
If autofocus speed and optical sharpness at F1.8 are critical, look for a native Nikon 50mm F1.8G lens, which offers superior performance.
Regret Score™
High RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- The F1.8 aperture allows for significant light gathering, making it 10 times faster than a typical F/5.6 kit lens at 50mm.
- Features a built-in focus motor, enabling autofocus on all Nikon DSLR cameras, including models like the D3000 and D5000 series that lack an in-body motor.
- Equipped with gold-plated metal contacts, improving signal conductivity and corrosion resistance.
- Supports M/AV/TV/P and other camera shooting modes, displaying parameters in EXIF information.
- The Nikon F-mount version includes a metal bayonet, a window with focusing distance, and a DOF scale, which are improvements over the Canon version.
Cons
- Autofocus is slow and noisy, often hunting in low light conditions.
- Images can be soft when shot wide open at F1.8, requiring stopping down for better sharpness.
- Build quality feels inexpensive and plastic, with a focus ring that isn't smooth and an AF/MF switch described as feeling like a child's toy.
- Exhibits chromatic aberration, particularly at F1.8, which may require post-processing correction.
- Focus performance can be inconsistent, even with well-lit, high-contrast subjects.
Dimension Scores
Images are soft at F1.8 and exhibit chromatic aberration, but improve when stopped down, offering decent contrast for the price.
Autofocus is consistently reported as slow, noisy, and prone to hunting, especially in low light.
The lens suffers from significant focus breathing and unreliable autofocus, making it unsuitable for serious video work.
Weighing only 7.2 ounces, this lens is very lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry for extended periods.
Best For
- Nikon DSLR owners seeking an affordable F1.8 prime lens to experiment with shallow depth of field.
- Beginner photographers looking to upgrade from a kit lens for improved low-light performance.
- Portrait photography on APS-C Nikon DSLRs, where the 50mm focal length provides an effective 75mm field of view.
- Situations where manual focus is acceptable or preferred, given the autofocus limitations.
Not Recommended For
- Professional photographers requiring fast, silent, and consistently accurate autofocus.
- Videographers, due to significant focus breathing and inconsistent autofocus performance.
- Users who demand critical sharpness and minimal aberrations when shooting wide open at F1.8.
- Anyone expecting premium build quality and tactile feedback from their lens.
Watch Out For
- Autofocus often hunts slowly and noisily in low-light environments, making it unreliable for quick captures.
- Sharpness is noticeably reduced at F1.8, with users reporting images can appear soft until stopped down to F4 or higher.
- Chromatic aberration is present at F1.8, manifesting as color fringing that needs to be corrected in post-processing.
- The plastic construction, while lightweight, results in a less durable feel and a focus ring that lacks smoothness.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B01E38TZDC |
| Brand | YONGNUO |
| Lens Type | Standard |
| Item Weight | 7.2 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Yongnuo |
| Item model number | YN50MM Nikon |
| Product Dimensions | 3.4 x 3.5 x 3.3 inches |
| Compatible Mountings | Nikon DX, Nikon F |
| Camera Lens Description | 50mm F1.8 for Nikon F Mount Cameras |
| Focal Length Description | 50mm F1.8N Large Aperture Lens for Nikon AF mount |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
Many users grab this lens because it's so cheap, and they're often surprised by the F1.8 aperture's ability to create blurry backgrounds, especially compared to their kit lens. However, the honeymoon often ends with the autofocus, which is a constant source of frustration, being both slow and loud, and sometimes just refusing to lock on. While it can produce sharp images, you usually have to stop it down a bit, meaning you lose some of that F1.8 magic you bought it for. The plastic feel is also a recurring theme, reminding everyone that you get what you pay for.
“Look, for like fifty bucks, it's fine if you just wanna mess around with blurry backgrounds, but don't expect it to actually focus on anything fast or in the dark. My Nikon 50mm F1.8G is way better, but this one was cheap enough to just throw in my bag.”
Common Praise
- The F1.8 aperture creates pleasing background blur, making subjects stand out.
- It's significantly cheaper than native Nikon 50mm F1.8 lenses, making it accessible for beginners.
- The lens is very lightweight, adding minimal bulk to a camera setup.
- It allows for shooting in lower light conditions than a typical F5.6 kit lens.
- The metal bayonet on the Nikon version provides a more secure connection to the camera body.
Common Complaints
- Autofocus is slow, noisy, and frequently hunts, particularly in dim lighting.
- Images are often soft when shot wide open at F1.8, requiring users to stop down for acceptable sharpness.
- The overall plastic build quality feels cheap, with a loose-feeling focus ring and flimsy AF/MF switch.
- Chromatic aberration (color fringing) is noticeable at F1.8 and needs correction in post-processing.
- Focus consistency is a problem, with some shots inexplicably out of focus even in good light.
Ownership Tips
- The autofocus motor can become even louder or less consistent over time with regular use.
- Learning to manually focus becomes essential for critical shots, especially in challenging lighting.
- The plastic exterior shows wear and tear, like scuffs and scratches, relatively quickly.
- You'll likely spend more time in post-processing correcting for chromatic aberration and sharpening images shot wide open.
- The lens cap can feel loose and prone to falling off after some use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this lens autofocus on my Nikon D3300?
Yes, this lens has a built-in focus motor, so it will autofocus on all Nikon DSLR cameras, including models like the D3300 that do not have an in-body focus motor.
How does the sharpness compare to the Nikon 50mm F1.8G?
User feedback indicates that the Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8N is not nearly as sharp as the Nikon 50mm F1.8G, especially when shooting wide open at F1.8.
Is this lens good for video?
No, this lens is not recommended for video due to significant focus breathing and inconsistent autofocus performance, which can be distracting in footage.
Is the autofocus loud?
Yes, the autofocus motor is reported to be noticeably louder than native Nikon lenses, and it can also be slow and prone to hunting.
Does it have a metal mount?
Yes, the Nikon F-mount version of this lens features a metal bayonet, unlike the Canon version which is all plastic.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a 50mm F1.8 lens, you're essentially buying into a specific look: super blurry backgrounds and the ability to shoot in dimmer light without cranking up your camera's ISO too much. This type of lens is called a 'prime' because it has a fixed focal length, meaning you can't zoom in or out; you have to 'zoom with your feet.' This forces you to think more about your composition. The F1.8 refers to the maximum aperture, which is a big opening that lets in a lot of light and creates that creamy background blur.
Focal Length (50mm)
This is how 'zoomed in' the lens is. 50mm is often called a 'nifty fifty' because it's close to what the human eye sees, making it versatile for portraits, street photography, and everyday shots. On an APS-C (crop sensor) Nikon DSLR, it acts more like a 75mm lens, which is ideal for portraits.
Maximum Aperture (F1.8)
This number tells you how wide the lens can open to let in light. F1.8 is a very wide aperture, allowing you to shoot in low light without flash and create a very shallow depth of field, where your subject is sharp and the background is beautifully blurred (bokeh).
Prime Lens
Unlike a zoom lens, a prime lens has a fixed focal length. This often means sharper images and a wider maximum aperture for a lower price. You give up the convenience of zooming, but gain optical quality and light-gathering ability.
Alternatives
If this lens doesn't fit, consider a 50mm F1.8 lens from your camera's native brand for better autofocus and optical performance, or a third-party prime with a slightly smaller maximum aperture but improved build quality.
You Might Also Like
NexiGo N660P Pro 4K Webcam with Distortion-Free Lens, 1080p 60 fps Autofocus USB Streaming Camera, 3DNR, Noise-Canceling Mics & Privacy Cover, Web Cam for Gaming/Live Streaming/PC/Mac/Switch 2, Pink
$50-$99This is a 4K CMOS webcam with 3DNR and dual noise-canceling mics, designed for plug-and-play use across multiple platforms.
NexiGo N660P Pro 4K Webcam with Distortion-Free Lens, 1080p 60 fps Autofocus USB Streaming Camera, 3DNR, Noise-Canceling Mics & Privacy Cover, Web Cam for Gaming/Live Streaming/PC/Mac/Switch 2, Black
$50-$99This is a 4K 30fps or 1080p 60fps webcam with autofocus, dual noise-canceling mics, and a privacy cover, designed for streaming and video calls on various platforms.
NexiGo N660P Pro 4K Webcam with Distortion-Free Lens, 1080p 60 fps Autofocus USB Streaming Camera, 3DNR, Noise-Canceling Mics & Privacy Cover, Web Cam for Gaming/Live Streaming/PC/Mac/Switch 2, White
$50-$99This 4K webcam with 1080p 60 fps streaming, autofocus, and dual noise-canceling mics is for users needing high resolution and smooth video without external software.
4K Webcam with Autofocus & Tripod, Camera for PC Laptop with Dual Microphone, USB Computer Camera with Low Light Correction, Auto White Balance, Video Camera for Streaming, Meetings, Office, Zoom
$0-$49A 4K webcam with a CMOS sensor and f/2.8 aperture, designed for basic video calls and streaming on a budget.