Your thoughts on Nikkor 50/1.8 AI-S Japanese pancake version

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen 25 Red, 58 Green, and 47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2022.04.18 Roll #304-07091-positive-trichrome.jpg
by dourbalistar, on Flickr
 
I had a lot of Nikkor 50mm lenses from f2,8 up to f1,2 including this one. It is as sharp as you could ask for and my only complaints are for resolution of fine detail and the quite busy bokeh. In both regards I prefer the Nikkor 2/50mm Ai which to me is the most refined package. I'm keeping this one together with the 2,8/55 mm Ais Micro-Nikkor.
 
I had a lot of Nikkor 50mm lenses from f2,8 up to f1,2 including this one. It is as sharp as you could ask for and my only complaints are for resolution of fine detail and the quite busy bokeh. In both regards I prefer the Nikkor 2/50mm Ai which to me is the most refined package. I'm keeping this one together with the 2,8/55 mm Ais Micro-Nikkor.
I don't have the Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8.... yet. But I agree, from many image samples I've, that's the lens for resolution of fine detail.

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes.


2022.11.10 Roll #320-07546-positive.jpg
by dourbalistar, on Flickr
 
Not familiar with that Japanese pancake version but from what I’ve read it’s a stellar performer.
Personally I shoot with the 50 1.8 AI mostly on my FE2 nowadays because the FE2 doesn’t benefit from AI-s glass anyway.
I must say I very much enjoy this lens. Bokeh is acceptable. Micro contrast is excellent in my humble opinion. Nikkor AI and AI-s glass is vastly underrated in my opinion and plenty sharp for any application. Especially street and everyday life I use it for.
 

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Not familiar with that Japanese pancake version but from what I’ve read it’s a stellar performer.
For those unfamiliar, this is the 50/1.8 pancake made for the Japanese domestic market. Of the three so-called pancakes, it has the shortest close focus distance at 0.45m. Apparently, it also has the shortest focus throw at 130 degrees.

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes.


2022.11.18 Roll #321-07564-positive.jpg
by dourbalistar, on Flickr
 
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