Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 Lens Mount Adapter?

I just bought a Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 lens thinking it would fit my nikon d5200, but it doesn't. What kind of lens adapter do I get that isn't crazy expensive or should I send it back and spend a little more for one that does fit?

If it's a Nikkor lens, then it will fit your D5200. The Nikon lens mount has been the same for 50+ years (my 1980s F-mount lenses still fit my Nikon DSLRs).

If you got the inexpensive ($120) 50mm f/1.8D lens, it is only AF which means you need to manually focus the lens on your D5200. The AF-S (f/1.8G) version of the 50mm lens is a $220 lens which will autofocus with your camera. In the future, get AF-S lenses which support auto focus on your camera.

You don't need an adapter to use a Nikon lens on a Nikon camera. What you DO need is the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G which will auto focus on your camera. The cheaper AF 50mm f/1.8D won't auto focus on your camera. Had you bothered to read the Owner's Manual for your camera you'd have known that.

There are no adapters to attach a manual focus AI Nikkor lens to your entry level dSLR.

You should have done your research before spending any money. You could have done that by reading your user manual.

What you needed to buy was the Nikkor AF-S 50 mm f/1.8 lens.

This is exactly what happens when someone is driven by a budget rather than logical decision making after doing thorough research.

As Jim said, send it back and buy what you need

What makes you think it doesn't fit? Align the white line on the lens with the white dot on the body and insert the lens into the body (may require some careful rotating it back and forth to get it exactly aligned). Twist it counter clockwise until it clicks. Hope you got the AF-S version so it will autofocus on your camera. If not, consider contacting the vendor to upgrade.

I would do the latter. Send it back and get one with the correct mount or you'll be fighting the adaptor every time you want to use it.

The cheaper AF 50mm f/1.8D won't auto focus on your camera. Had you bothered to read the Owner's Manual for your camera you'd have known that.

The cheaper AF 50mm f/1.8D won't auto focus on your camera. Had you bothered to read the Owner's Manual for your camera you'd have known that.

What you DO need is the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G which will auto focus on your camera