Adam Trahan: Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 AIS

Nikon Series E

50mm f1.8 AIS

s/n 2558598 - 2158745 (repair status)

My first camera, a Canon TX had a 50mm f1.8, another camera I used quite a bit early on in my photography was a Pentax K-1000 and it had a 50mm f2. So when I began collecting Nikon F-mounted lenses, I was definitely gun shy about spending a lot of money on a lens. I asked my photographer friends and they suggested a Series E 50mm. I bought one. Compared to the Nikkor 50mm, they are inexpensive. The lens arrived and compared to the Nikkor lenses I owned, I could see a difference of lesser quality of materials chosen for construction.

This is not a review, it’s my story, I’m simply detailing the what and why.

Even with my limited knowledge, in comparison to the Nikkor 28mm f2.8 AI ($25 find,) it just wasn’t in the same genre. So I put it in the box of purchase mistakes along with the other two Series E lenses I had. I made a decision to only use Nikkor lenses.

That was a mistake.

Not a bad one but a mistake no less. Although you can purchase quality, it comes from experience in your photography and I’ve learned that those Series E lenses were not holding me back.

A little later, I bought a Nikon EM. I started to read up on the EM and found that Nikon was putting together cameras and lenses that were good economical choices for non-professional photographers. People that wanted a nice camera at a decent price.

After cleaning up my EM, I gathered all the Series E lenses and I sometimes choose this kit to check my skills with. I ask myself if my photography is getting better by taking pictures with the EM and Series E. It’s a fun project, a self check that keeps me grounded and honestly reflects on my basic skills as a photographer.

The Series E 50mm is the only 50mm lens I have in my kit. I would love to own the Nikkor 58mm f1.2 NOCT, one day I will but I’m honing in on a Nikkor 50mm f1.2. Until I can justify that my skill demands spending four times what I spent on the Series E 50mm, I’ll be using its F-mount compatibility to keep my self in check.

My Complete Nikon ~ Nikkor Lens Collection