F/1.8 lenses. Do they hire lobbyists?

[Abitconfused]

What is so special about f/1.8 that there are so many f/1.8 lenses? Tamron, for example, just came out with new 35mm, 45mm, and 85mm "Vi DC" lenses in 1.8. Why not f/2? We never hear from f/2?

[Shadowman]

I'm waiting for an f/0.7 but just to drool over.

[Manfred M]

The f/1.8 lenses have long been the fastest lenses aimed at serious amateur photographers. The major players often also have f/1.4 lenses of the same focal lengths aimed at the pro market. The f/1.8 50mm lens has been the "normal" lens for (D)SLRs for decades, and it is 1/3 stop faster than the f/2 lens.

I actually do own two f/2 lenses - my rather ancient Leica f/2 50mm Summicaron-R and the recently discontinued Nikkor f/2 105mm DC lens. Both are incredibly sharp lenses, not blazingly fast but then I rarely shot them wide open.

[Mike Buckley]

B&H indicates they are selling five f/2 lenses for Nikon cameras made by Nikon (their 35mm f/2 is an old standby still being made), Yongnuo, Zeiss, Mitakon Zhongyi and Sigma (included in their widely regarded and reasonably new Art line).

[Black Pearl]

Could it be that f1.8 sounds better that f2 in the same way as £1.99 sounds better value than £2

Joking aside f1.8 has just become a standard' over the years and so is easily recognised for what it offers by anyone getting into photography. Oddly enough I only have one 50mm left in regular use and that is a Pentax which is a f1.7.