You don't crop up often but when you do it's always a superb, interesting and information packed review. I've owned this lens for some time and it usually gets forgotten as I reach for it's more spectacular sisters. I'll give it a little more love from now on.
A very thorough video on the 50mm Nikon lenses, hope your future videos are of such high quality. Not much padding/repetition in this 23min video, contains lots of useful info. Keep up the good work .
Excellent review of an excellent lens. After trying them both, I opted for the 1.8G version based on expense. I do have one comment/question though that may have already been addressed and I just didn't see it. You show in several cases the 1.4G mounted on a Nikon FM2 camera body. I don't have one of those, but I do have an FM. I don't actually believe that G lenses work on this model because it requires a lens with an aperture ring, unless I am mistaken about the FM2. I don't think G lenses are the best choice if you also shoot older Nikon film cameras in addition to digital. For that reason I tend to own more AF-d' models. Well done on the review, as always.
I own the AFS 50 f/1.4 G lens because I bought it as soon as it was announced to be used with my newly purchased Nikon D700, the AFS 50 f/1.8 was announced a few years after the f/1.4 lens. I also own the AFS 50 f/1.8 G because it was included with the Nikon D600 kit I purchased 7 or 8 years ago and it's a good lens but I prefer the f/1.4 when I want to shoot wide open. If you want to throw another lens into the mix take a look at the Tamron 45 f/1.8 VC lens, it is much sharper than either of my AFS Nikkor 50mm lenses plus it has VC which helps steady these old shaky hands.
Outstanding review as always - one of the best on youtube. I appreciate the dry humour. Looking forward to more reviews. Would be very interested to hear your opinion on the new 300mm F4 PF lens since I'm seriously considering buying one.
Voitlander 58mm 1.4 is a fantastic lens, also around this focal range and aperture well worth considering , and would be interested how it compares against the ones featured in this video 👍
Then I agree with you the best of the best is probably the ZF one from Zeiss. The only issue is that it is full manual and the af is useful mainly when you put it on a apsc camera for having a good portrait lens.
The shallow depth of field of the 1.4 is not worth the extra light over the 1.8, especially at short subject distances. I picked up a 1.4 for $200 on ebay, but wouldn't spend the extra amount on a new one.
Thanks for that in dept no nonsense review, i was half way out the door to buy the lens and now i have purchased it. As you said one or two small gripes, bur the positives far outweigh any negatives. Some reviewers are suggesting the newer cheaper f/1.8 g is a better lens for the money, what are your thoughts on that one?
I'd struggle to find a pic taken with the f1.4 which couldn't be taken with the f1.8 version. Given the difference in price this makes the f1.8 the better value for money option...
probably better to get a 35mm or the amazing Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro, especially the older non G lens with an aperture ring. One of Nikon’s sharpest lenses. The 60 is also a great starter macro lens.
@JKLenses Hi, excellent reviews. Should I get the 50mm 1.8G Special Edition, the 58mm 1.4G or the 50mm 1.4G for my Df? The 1.8 has one aspheric elements and Japanese tend to think 1.8 it’s better than 1.4. The 58 having 15% more focal length, has shallower deep of field wide open and has advanced optics to produce better looking out of focus areas. Also 58mm may be better for portraiture and is more distinctive from the 35mm length many pros like a lot.
@@jklenses8611 same price , very close to 500 Canadian dollars. I'm gong to Hong Kong and Singapore in September. Singapore has very good camera stores , also lots of second hand stuff . I may purchase one there . Thanks again for very good and educational video.
Have you considered the 50mm f1.2 lens (AI / AIS)? Its an all-metal construction and made in japan......according to all the reviews I've read its the sharpest of ANY Nikon lens when stopped down to f2.0. Although its a manual-focus only lens that shouldn't be a problem to most people. Its still available for approx. £300 - £400 depending on condition.
Just bought the 50mm f1.4 AF-D for use with D3s - very happy. It's not brilliant wide open but it gets good very quickly. In order to get something that's sharp wide open, you'd have to pay over 3x as much (as the £150 I just paid for a mint Nikon AF-D lens) for a used Sigma f1.4 Art or Zeiss f1.4 Planar. IMO the f1.4 AF-D renders super nice for portraits around f2.2 onwards, and it's a used bargain. ps. I noted focus on the D3s seems faster and a bit more reliable than on the D3x body.
@@jklenses8611 Looking through our results from portraits we shot last night with strobes and softboxes, my brother and I think the f1.4D renders warmer, more pleasing colour than the f1.8G (which we already own & love.) We also found some respectably sharp irises at f1.8 from the f1.4D (which were weren't expecting.) At f4.0 irises look as good when pixel-peeping (IMO) as they do from our 85mm f1.8G (now that's what I call £150 well spent!) So taken are with the 1.4 AF-D that we'll sell on the 1.8G version.
Definitely the ones with gold ring at top of the barrel, but there are several good ones without. Would say the 50mm 1.8G and 1.4G, 85mm 1.8G, 200-500mm 5.6E VR are good ones too despite not having the golden ring.
I got this afs 50mm 1.4 and to be honest I find it a little expensive for the value. The 50mm afs f1.8 is probably better value and if you can find it in special edition looking a little like the old AI it s even better. It s a pity the previous 50 mm afd 1.4 is so ugly with a non usable focus ring (why didn’t t they build it like the 35mm f2 :()
I do not like any AF-S prime under 200mm. They are all much more expensive, have more distortion, not faster to focus and are much larger than their AF-D siblings. They only focus on dinky low-end bodies that should be avoided in favour of used professional ones.
I am so happy to find a person on youtube that does start their videos with “BE SURE TO LIKE SUBSCRIBE! FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM! CLICK THE LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION”
