Here are tests images that show the resolution capabilities of the Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D. These samples are center and left edge 100% crops from the 10MP Nikon D200 (which has an APS-C sized sensor), and is equivalent to looking at prints greater than 3 feet wide.

These test images only reflect resolution; other lens shortcomings such as light falloff, chromatic aberrations, field curvature and flare and ghosting are not considered here.

This lens has exceptional performance in the f2.8 to f8 range, with f4 being about the sharpest that can be expected from the current AF nikkors. As expected, diffraction starts to soften the image when the lens is stopped down more than about f10 (on the Nikon D200 with an APS-C sized sensor).

The only problem I've had with this lens is some flare and ghosting with long exposure night photography. I find this lens to be perfect for panoramic stitching due to it's sharpness and low levels of distortion. This lens is really a bargain for the less than 100 US dollars that it usually sells new for.

Size Comparisons

From left to right: Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D, 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 DX, and 70-200mm f2.8 VR

50mm f1.8 center

50mm f2.8 center

50mm f4 center

50mm f5.6 center

50mm f8 center

50mm f11 center

50mm f16 center

50mm f1.8 edge

50mm f2.8 edge

50mm f4 edge

50mm f5.6 edge

50mm f8 edge

50mm f11 edge

50mm f16 edge