Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 on sony alpha a350?
I'm buying a Sony Alpha a350 (second hand). I also have an old lens Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 in good condition.
Is it possible to use my 50mm (came from an slr Nikon F401s) on the a350? Also is it a good lens for dslr?
Get a adaptator plate
50mm is a portrait lens for cropped sensor and has seen something of a revival lately.
At one time, just about every 35mm SLR ever sold came with one, before everybody became obsessed with zooms.
With the adapter (Nikon AF - Sony/Minolta) you'll lose AF and most, if not all of your metering modes. You also lose infinity focus unless you increase your focal length. As an alternative, why not look out for a 50mm f1.7 in Minolta AF? It does the same job but offers full functionality.
http://www.amazon.com/...B0048A6VS8 (contains a glass element to maintain infinity focus).
http://www.google.co.uk/...IMBEPMCMAI
You could easily sell the Nikkor to pay for it.
The AF-Nikkor 50mm f1.8D is a really nice piece of glass, designed in the early days of AF. However because the F-mount and alpha mount are different in design they can't be made to mate, though adapters are available, you would have to mount the lens too far away from the body for it to be of any use.
I would also suggest that you sell the Nikkor and get the Sony made equivalent.
There are Sony-to-Nikon adapters available, but you'll likely loose in-camera metering. Just get a Sony or Minolta 50.
Buy an used D70/D70s/D80!
Sell the Nikon 50mm f1.8 and put the money towards a Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f1.4. There are a couple worth considering on eBay. Both are listed as "Buy It Now". One is $245.00 + $18.00 shipping and the other is $279.99 with free shipping. A new Sony branded 50mm f1.4 is shown for $424.99 at B&H with free shipping.http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Although you can buy an adapter to mount your Nikon lens on your Sony A350 you'll quickly wish you hadn't spent the money on the adapter. Manual focus, stop-down metering, no infinity focus.
If you'd like to add a really great zoom to your A350 look for a Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4, affectionately known as the "Beercan".