Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 Nikon Review: A Budget Portrait Lens?

The quick answer

The Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.8N can be an inexpensive way to try a wide-aperture portrait lens on a compatible Nikon F-mount DSLR. I used it on my Nikon D3100 and liked the subject separation and low-light flexibility compared with the kit lens. It also has autofocus, which is useful on an entry-level body.

There are clear compromises. I noticed visible chromatic aberration, especially at wide apertures, and found the lens disappointing for sharpness when inspecting photos closely. I would consider it for casual portraits and social media on a tight budget, but for paid work where those flaws matter, I'd look at a higher-quality alternative.

Watch my review and sample photos taken on the Nikon D3100.

Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8N at a glance

The reviewed lens is the Nikon F-mount f/1.8N, not a similarly named Yongnuo lens made for another mount. Check the complete model name and the seller's compatibility information before ordering.

Why I liked it for portraits and low light

A wide maximum aperture is the main reason I wanted this lens. Compared with a typical slower kit zoom at a similar focal length, f/1.8 lets in more light and can make it easier to separate a subject from the background. That was useful for portraits, product photos and indoor shooting with my D3100.

It isn't a magic background-blur switch. The result also depends on focal length, how close you are to the subject, how far the background is behind them and the aperture you choose. At f/1.8, the plane of sharp focus can be thin, so check the eyes or other important details carefully.

On the D3100's DX sensor, the 50mm lens gives a view similar to about 75mm on a full-frame camera. The focal length itself remains 50mm. That narrower framing can be nice for portraits, but you may need to step back in a small room. A kit zoom is more flexible for tight spaces because you can zoom wider.

The biggest drawbacks: fringing and sharpness

In my photos, I saw quite a bit of chromatic aberration, or colored fringing around some edges. It was particularly noticeable at wide apertures such as f/1.8 and f/2. Since those are settings you may want for low light and background separation, that's a meaningful compromise.

I also found the lens less sharp than I wanted when I enlarged photos or viewed them on a bigger screen. At smaller social-media sizes, the softness may be less obvious. These are my impressions from the lens and D3100 I used, not a laboratory measurement or proof that every copy performs identically.

Stopping down and checking an edited image for fringing can be worth trying, but doing so changes the shallow-depth-of-field and low-light benefits you may have bought the lens for. Look at my sample photos in the video and decide whether the tradeoff bothers you.

Does it autofocus on the Nikon D3100?

The Nikon version I reviewed has an autofocus option, and the D3100 was the camera I used for the sample photos. That makes this an interesting budget option for that body. I didn't provide a controlled autofocus speed, noise or tracking test in the video, so I wouldn't promise a particular autofocus performance for action or video based on this review.

Compatibility still depends on the specific lens, camera and adapter. The YN50mm f/1.8N is an F-mount lens for Nikon DSLRs; it is not a native Nikon Z-mount lens. A Nikon Z camera needs an appropriate adapter for an F-mount lens, and Nikon says it does not guarantee operation of third-party lenses with its FTZ adapter. Confirm the exact combination before buying rather than assuming autofocus and aperture control will work.

For more about the camera I used, see my Nikon D3100 guide.

Yongnuo versus Nikon's 50mm f/1.8G

In the original 2020 review, the Yongnuo was about $75 on Amazon and I said Nikon's alternative cost over $200. Those were prices I discussed at the time, not current prices. Check both new and used listings before deciding how much the difference is today.

You can check the Yongnuo Nikon F-mount lens or compare the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G. The links went to those exact variants when I checked, but listings, stock and prices change. Nikon also confirms the 50mm f/1.8G's F mount and 75mm-equivalent DX view.

Who should consider this lens?

• Budget beginners: It can be a low-cost introduction to a bright prime if the current price and your camera's compatibility make sense.
• Casual portrait photographers: The DX framing and f/1.8 aperture can be fun for separating a person from the background.
• Social media creators: The optical flaws may be less distracting at smaller display sizes, depending on the image and your standards.
• Paid photographers: If consistent sharpness and clean edges are important to your work, I would compare higher-quality options and test the lens before relying on it.

If your priority is a wide view, versatile framing or a close-up macro lens, a 50mm prime on a DX camera may not be the best fit. Start with the pictures you want to make, not just the low price.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 good for portraits?

It can be fun for budget portraits. On my D3100, I liked the background separation, but I also saw noticeable color fringing and wasn't impressed by sharpness at close inspection.

Does the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8N autofocus on a Nikon D3100?

The Nikon F-mount version I reviewed offers autofocus and was used with my D3100. Check the exact lens version and camera combination before purchasing, especially with adapters.

What does 50mm look like on a Nikon DX camera?

It gives roughly the field of view of a 75mm lens on full frame. The lens remains 50mm; the smaller sensor changes the captured view.

Is the Yongnuo better than the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G?

I didn't perform a controlled side-by-side comparison in this video. The Yongnuo was much cheaper when I reviewed it, but I found its fringing and softness hard to ignore and suggested the Nikon option for more demanding work.

My verdict

I liked what this little lens made possible for the money, especially portraits and low-light images with background separation. Its fringing and softness keep me from recommending it without qualification. If you're learning and the price is right, it may be a fun first prime; if you're charging clients and need cleaner, sharper results, compare better options first.

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