I'm comparing the Nikon 50,, F1.4g lens to my newly aquired 58mm F1.4g lens. Honest - there's not a huge difference but it's all about the fine details, the subtly and overall "look". Will it earn a place at my wedidng photography?
Glad to see that you tried out this lens and are keeping it. I got the 58G a couple of years ago and it lives on my D780, as it did on my D750. From all the info on the internet, the lens is somewhat controversial for those wanting to eek out the last bit of sharpness wide open. The lens was not designed for maximum sharpness and at f/1.4, it is not super sharp but certainly very good, especially for people shots. I've found that the sweet spot is about f/2.2 -- super sharp and still the dreamy, painterly background blur. To me, your #3 test shot is the kind of image where the lens shines. The lens is different in the 1.4-2.8 range and the range of 2.8+. I like the extra 8mm because the lens can instantly be a great portrait or group lens and, as you said, a footstep is easily manageable if necessary. And, when you spend this much money on a lens, you are entitled to use the words "renders" and "draws" to describe it. (tongue in cheek comment, for the most part). Looking forward to more images here and on Instagram. 👍
All Nikon 1.4 lenses are great. The king I think is the Nikon 105mm f1.4. At 1.4, the out of focus foreground and background seem to melt away with butter smooth background colours made to swirl like with a painter's brush. And the compression for a shoulder length portrait in landscape seems to hit the sweet spot at 105mm. Try it and you'll be selling the 58.
Hi there - I haven't and here's why - I do have an 85F1.4D lens that I use on the D780 - BUT - I actually find it a bit too long for a lot of shots at weddings - I tried the 105 F2 Defocus lens and wow - that was gorgeous too but again I found myself only using for a few shots at weddings. Most shots at wedidngs are 24, 35 or now 58 (rather than 50) so that's my longest lens - the 85 will come out for a "few" shots only. Thanks for watching Allen
I finally got this lens... and I can immediately see that it's superior to the other nikon 50s in certain regards, especially for portraits and low light. Though, my copy renders noticeably cooler than other Nikon lenses I own, including the 50mm 1.8, which I sold already.
I believe the 58 1.4 G also helped to reduce coma smearing for astrophotography. I believe that was the main advantage of this lens besides it's dreamy look.
I know this is a long time after releasing the video, but the reason your 50mm shot of the cat is so much darker than the 58mm shot was due to the shutter speed. You shot the 58mm at 1/125, and the 50mm at 1/400.
Hi Allen, I too am glad you tried the 58G and like it. I agree with Glenn K that it's sweetest for people stopped down a bit. Mine sharpens up dramatically at 2.8 and beyond, but still has excellent character. I also agree with Tashi Hishey that basically all the Nikon 1.4 are excellent except the 50/1.4G which I find is just good, but disappointing at times. I shoot mostly people and my current Nikon kit includes 24, 35 & 58/1.4G lenses. They all perform wonderfully for both stills and video on the D780. Like you I prefer the 85/1.4D to the G version. I rented the 105/1.4E and it performed very well. I did find it to be fat and heavy and too close in focal length to the 85mm for me. I lust for the 135DC which will be my next lens purchase. cheers and look forward to seeing your results with the new lens.
The 135dc is my all time favourite. However I found that for weddings which is my main work it was usually too long and it want used very often. But you'll love it😊
Hi Allen, thank you for the video. I like your channel and the way you share your experience with cameras and lenses. I find your videos authentic and somehow trust your opinion. I was wondering how is your long term review of the Nikon 58mm f1.4g. Further, I would request, if possible, could you try a Zeiss Otus 55mm 1.4 on one of your next photo shoots and compare it with the Nikon 58mm f1.4? I have read on multiple forums that Zeiss Otus 55 has a very 3D and medium-format look. I am curious to know what you think about it. Thanks
Hi - the 58F.15G is my favourite lens. Portraits (wide open) just don't need any skin re-touching. The character is unique and bokeh lovely. It sits on my D850 for most of all me weddings and is so useful for so many shots. I have the 50mm 1.8S lens for my Z6ii and that's super sharp and contrasty which many people love of course - but for me the "look" of the 58 is almost a trademark of my wedidng photos
@@CreativePixelPhotos That would be cool. I did see your videos involving the 58mm, but the video where you analyzed its images didn't involve an actual people situation, which is why I asked. I'm interested in getting the lens since it would would work on the z6 as well as the DF and D700, which is what I own at the moment. Thank you.
Hi No I haven't. Maybe I should but I know the 'look' I'll get from older f mount lenses. I believe that like all manufacturers Nikon is chasing sharpness and technical perfection over image character which for me is way more important.
I had the 50 1.8 special version w my DF. It's a good lens, but I didn't find it special in any way. It's soft wide open and just ok until you hit 2.8.. kind of soapy. But, the worst is that it has a somewhat flat rendering of small details and color variation. The 58 is noticeably superior in every regard. My copy of the 50 also had a terrible focus ring. Not smooth at all.
I think I also misunderstood the "s"... I thought you meant it as plural and not the specific lens... which I also had. It was good, but nothing that I couldn't part with easily. Once it was clear that Nikon would not release an adapter for its D lenses, I got rid of the Z cameras since I was never going to sell my D lenses or buy 10K worth of Nikon's new plastics. Not now at least.. and I didn't find the Z cameras as comfortable to use, nor easy to adapt for my own habits (like the Fuji X-H2)... so they went.
At weddings one of the things I do is mix with the guests and take candid shots and I really don;t want them to notice me. The D780 is fairly big and quite loud and I find the Z5 is better at this. I can't AF with a D lens on Z5 so a G works great. The 58mm F1.4g is legendary and actually now I have it - it's better than my older D lenses. I even compared to my 30 year old 50mm F1.2Ai lens which was gives the most gorgeous images - it's better! More contrasty and bokeh is better - worth £1400? That's up to each person to decide
