This will most likely be the new standard lens on my Nikon D80. It’s small, light, focuses fast, and on the D80 (since it is a DX camera) it is the equivalent of 36mm.
Since I can remember, I’ve been a big fan of the normal type of lens for the cameras I’ve had, the nifty fifty 50mm equivalent for full frame. They are usually pretty sharp and relatively cheap, and they can produce a shallow depth of field with a nice blurry background.
This lens is a bit wider and slower than the more common 50mm f/1.8, but it still produces pleasant shallow depth of field if you get up close to the subject. And you can get pretty close, around 30cm.
It seems to focus fast, but you can really hear it focusing. The newer G-lenses, which have autofocus motor built-in, they are pretty much dead silent. This one, and it may be my lens, you can hear focusing. Nothing too bad, but noticeable.
It’s pretty sharp already at f/2.8 and stop down a step or two, and it’s sharp all over, I would say. I’d be pretty happy to keep shooting this at f/2.8 anyway.
For now, this is the lens that is attached to my D80, and I hope to be able to show you more photos soon.