I must admit, Auntie Zhang hasn’t made any original posts for quite some time now. I’ve been itching to share something here for ages, but every time I tried to write, I struggled to find the right words. My expression pack seems to have run out of ideas, and as an engineering dog, my copywriting skills are lacking. Maybe I’m better suited to fixing cars than writing reviews.
But enough of that. Let’s talk about Yongnuo. I recently picked up Yongnuo’s 50mm f/1.8 lens, and it’s left a deep impression on me over the past ten days. While most reviews of the Yongnuo 50mm tend to follow the same pattern—like toothpaste being squeezed out—I wanted to share my thoughts regardless.
The reasons behind my purchase were simple. Initially, I wasn’t sure if a 50mm lens was necessary. First off, I already had a 35mm and an 85mm, and a 50mm didn’t seem particularly useful for a landscape photographer like me. Secondly, 50mm lenses can get complicated—some are cheap but unattractive, while others are expensive and better quality but beyond my budget. The original Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, for instance, costs over $200, which felt excessive for someone still in school.
After seeing some positive reviews online, I decided to give it a try. One day, I stumbled upon a deal on Taobao where the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 was priced at just $38. With a lens hood and a pouch included, it seemed like a steal. I didn’t think twice.
When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by its size and build quality. Compared to the bulky boxes of other lenses, this one was compact and lightweight. The lens itself felt solid despite its plastic construction. It paired beautifully with my Nikon D810, though I wish I’d taken more photos during my initial inspection.
Now for the hands-on experience. The first thing that struck me was the focusing speed—it was surprisingly fast for such an affordable lens. As long as I wasn’t switching between extreme close-up and faraway subjects, it handled focus transitions well. The focus throw was short, and the noise level was acceptable, though not silent.
Glare performance? Well, let’s just say I’ll be avoiding direct sunlight with this lens. The two plastic films on the front and rear of the lens cap make glare a real issue.
But enough about the downsides. What really impressed me was the image quality. While it may not rival premium lenses, it delivers decent results for its price. Shooting at f/1.8, the bokeh is creamy and smooth, making portraits pop. Stopping down to f/2.8 reveals sharper details, and by f/4, the images are crisp and sharp enough for most scenarios.
For a budget lens, it delivers on its promise of a large aperture. I found myself shooting wide open most of the time, and the results were satisfying. If you’re looking for something similar to the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, this is a solid alternative, especially if you don’t need perfection.
To summarize, this lens isn’t perfect, but it’s a great value for its price. It’s not going to revolutionize photography, but it’s a significant step forward for domestic brands. Yongnuo deserves credit for creating an autofocus lens that doesn’t break the bank. Sure, it’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a start.
Thank you for reading this far. I’m not a professional reviewer, just a young photographer (19 years old) sharing my experiences. If you’re interested, I’ll cover more lenses in future posts. Feel free to leave comments or questions below—I’d love to hear from you!
[Attached are some sample photos taken with the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8.]
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This concludes my review. Thank you again for taking the time to read it.
Guangzhou Chengwen Photoelectric Technology co.,ltd , https://www.cwleddisplay.com