If you follow me on Twitter, watch my Flickr stream, read my recent post here, you know that a few days ago I acquired a new camera lens, the just-released AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G. This is the one that just premiered at Photokina a few months ago, and is still only available from a few retailers. I ordered it online from a small retail shop in Muncie, IN that a friend told me about.
By the time you read this, or shortly thereafter, the lens might already be starting to show up in the bigger online shops. Normally, I’d get it from B&H, Adorama, or Amazon (it’s not there yet), but Jack’s was great and got me the lens quickly.
Let me start out by saying that this is most certainly the best prime lens I have ever used in my entire life, from any manufacturer, and on any camera. It’s on the fast track to becoming my favorite lens in my bag. This says a lot, especially because I’m lucky enough to have a 24-70mm f/2.8 in there as well. After using this lens for just a day or so, you start to really appreciate what it has to offer. It’s beautifully sharp and contrasty wide open, and I’m blown away by the bokeh.
Obviously, the lens kicks butt in low light. Even though the Nikon D700 performs very well in this area already, it’s great to see what it can do at f/1.4! The autofocus is faster than I’m used to in poor lighting and with moderate ISO settings. I’ve been taking a ton of pictures chasing through the house after my one-year old, snapping shots in the kind of low-light situations where I wouldn’t have been able to get anything usable before. In good lighting, it’s even better.
As you’d expect from a Nikon lens at this price ($430-$500 USD as I write this), it’s well built from metal as opposed to plastic, like the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF lens, which I was replacing with this new one. The 50mm f/1.8 is a great little lens in its own right, and if you’re looking to get into prime lenses, it’ll only set you back about $100.
Strongly constructed and solid without being heavy or bulky, the f/1.4 is the perfect size. The f/1.8 always struck me as a bit small on larger camera bodies like the D700 or the D3, but the f/1.4 looks like it belongs there. At the same time, it doesn’t seem to overwhelm smaller cameras like the D90. The excellent hood that comes with this lens is a nice addition as well (the f/1.8 lacks a hood). Truth be told, you’d kind of expect a solid hood at this price point, and it’s nice to see that Nikon thinks so too.
I especially love being able to just grab the focus ring to engage manual focus, and switch back to autofocus with a shutter half-push, just like the 24-70mm and the 70-200mm f/2.8. Now I’m really spoiled.
Recommendations
If you can’t tell already, I think this is a great lens. I actually think it’s a bargain at the $430-$500 price range.
I replaced my $100 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF lens with this one, and there’s a big difference. If you’re totally happy with the f/1.8 you already have, then there’s probably no reason to upgrade to the f1.4. But if you’re looking for better low light performance, better autofocus with easy switching to manual, or if you’re as obsessed with bokeh as I am, you won’t be disappointed with this little beast.
If you don’t already have a 50mm (or other) prime lens, skip the f/1.8 and get this lens straight away.
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Josh Hallett
16 December 2008 at 6:20 pm
Thanks for the write-up….I’ve been debating about getting this lens. However, there is also a long list of other ‘wants’, i.e.
85mm 1.4
12-24mm 2.8
Daniel
16 December 2008 at 6:23 pm
When I get my D90 in early ‘09, I’m skipping the kit, and instead getting the body and this lens. It’s been my plan all along, and it’s nice to see rich photos which seem to validate my expectations.
Nicholas Tolson
16 December 2008 at 6:24 pm
Actually, from watching your lifestream I was under the impression you got a f/1.4 500mm lens and had won the lottery. ;)
I have the older Canon version of this lens, so I can only speak to personal experience with that, but presuming something at least as good as that (and maybe better) I can see why you rave so much about this lens.
Even at high ISOs, which I shoot at a lot being a live music photographer, the extreme sharpness of the lens helps make things look that much better.
It’s truly a great lens. And I too love the size.
My only wish is that I had a full-frame DSLR to put it on. It’s still a bit tight at a 1.6x crop factor for my taste.
Erik J. Barzeski
16 December 2008 at 6:35 pm
Interesting. Canon’s is $315 (B&H price) and likely its equal in quality.
I, like many, had the 1.8 myself. On the Canon side it’s often called the “thrifty fifty” lens. Some also call the 1.8 the “nifty fifty” but that’s reserved, by others, for the 1.4. (The 1.2L also has an “ifty” name that escapes me at the moment.)
At any rate, I echo your sentiments. I often suggest to new photographers that they skip zooms for awhile and learn to zoom with their feet and that they, particularly on full-frame cameras, bolt their 50mm lens onto the camera the first month or two they use their camera.
Judson Collier
16 December 2008 at 6:44 pm
Great post.
It looks surprisingly sharper than my Sigma 1.4 (not that I expected more, but you know). The Bokeh is beautiful too.
Dan Benjamin
16 December 2008 at 6:48 pm
@Erik - I had the 50mm f/1.8 on the Canon, and found it comparable to the 50mm f/1.8 on the Nikon, but never had the chance to use the Canon equivalent of the f/1.4.
You’re also right about “bolting this lens to your camera.” I talk about that and “zooming with your feet” with James Duncan Davidson in Tack Sharp podcast Episode 1 ( http://tacksharp.tv/ ) and with John Gruber and Duncan in The Talk Show Episode 4 ( http://thetalkshow.net/ ).
I’m a big fan of 50mm!
Erik J. Barzeski
16 December 2008 at 7:11 pm
To clarify, I replaced my 1.8 (sold it to a friend and recommended that he bolt it to his camera for awhile) and own the 1.4. The 1.4 might be one of the best values on the market, I can agree with Dan on that.
Stuart Sipahigil
16 December 2008 at 11:41 pm
Nice review, Dan. I love that shot of Old Glory.
Jack’s Camera Shop is one of those local camera shops that while not usually able to match B&H and Amazon’s pricing will make up for it with great customer service. If you’re familiar with Dan Burkholder and his magnificent prints (http://www.danburkholder.com), he gave kudos to Jack’s service and support when he was making the photographs that appear in his book “The Color of Loss”. He needed a T/S lens for a particular shot and Jack’s got it to him in New Orleans the next morning.
The website (http://www.jackscamera.com) looks like they have this lens back in stock, so if you’re looking for one, head over there before they run out again.
(And no, I don’t work for Jack’s; I’m just a satisfied customer.)
head.zoo.keeper
17 December 2008 at 1:51 am
Looks like a winner of a lens, thanks for the review. Still, my favorite bokeh-maker is the Nikkor 50mm ƒ/1.2 AIS.
Grenade
17 December 2008 at 8:23 am
It’s been a long time since I haven’t read your blog. But I’m back and enjoying this post as I’m a Nikonist too. One thing you should not forget, with this kind of lens, everything is multiplied by 1.5, meaning you don’t own a 50/1.4 but a 75/1.4 which is just wonderful for portrait.
For the plastic part, 50/1.8 made in japan are in metal, those who are made in China in plastic, so be careful when you by one. The 50/1.8 stills one of my favourite with the 20/1.8 and the 105/2.8 (which is pretty old by the way but stills do its job wonderfully).
Now I have to reinstall rails and everything that comes with it, let’s go to your archive.
Garth
17 December 2008 at 10:30 am
I’ve been waiting from this lens since it’s announcement earlier this year. I’m considering pairing it with a D90. Got any example shots with a D90?
Dan Benjamin
17 December 2008 at 11:16 am
@Grenade - actually that’s only the case with non-full frame cameras, but I shoot with a D700, one of nikon’s full frame, FX models, so 50mm is actually 50mm.
Michael Mistretta
17 December 2008 at 11:52 am
So Dan, what’s better to get first—this 50mm or a monopod?
Kurt
17 December 2008 at 11:54 am
So, what has changed on the new 1.4 as compared to the old 1.4?
Daniel
17 December 2008 at 3:08 pm
@Erik J. Barzeski:
A quick note about the cost - I believe Nikon’s last 50mm f/1.4 was in the low $300’s as well like the Canon. It’s this new one that’s $440 and up. I imagine some of that cost is the “new product markup” but there are actually some new features, I believe, like the “auto-manual” focus mode. I think some of the coatings are different, too, but I’m not well-versed enough to know the difference yet.
head.zoo.keeper
17 December 2008 at 11:33 pm
@Kurt The biggest thing is that this new 50mm has an internal focusing mechanism so it can be (fully) used on the lower-end DSLR’s like the D40. As such, as Dan pointed out, it can auto-focus much faster. The second thing is that the “G”-series lenses like this don’t have an aperture ring so it’s not fully backwards-compatible with the old manual-focus Nikons. But, that’s probably not a big deal to many users…
Great resource for comparison of ALL Nikkor lenses:
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
Anthony Bosio
18 December 2008 at 2:40 pm
I am surprised about the cost of this G-series lens. My understanding was that G-series were more of a consumer grade and, in general, D lenses were a step up. But the 1.4 D is much cheaper. Even with the differences that have been mentioned, I don’t know why anyone would buy the new G over the old D at this price. Unless you really need the faster auto-focus…
Eric Silva
19 December 2008 at 9:37 pm
Nice report.
The bokeh has a decidedly different look to it than the f/1.8 or old f/1.4. It looks more “neutral”; it has some visible edges to it.
Eric Silva
19 December 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dan, do you have any bokeh examples of lights in the background (or foreground)?
Like these of the old Nikon 50mm f/1.4:
http://antman.com/img/50mm1.4/resized/BLD_2297.jpg
Kurt
23 December 2008 at 11:53 am
Here is a review from Ken Rockwell. Take what he says with a grain of salt.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50mm-f14-afs.htm
R, L. Mazzola
26 December 2008 at 8:49 pm
All great comments and useful site. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is the 50mm G’s new construction. It isn’t simply a matter of the G (no aperture ring) style, but an innovative 8-element optiical formula that helps to eliminate coma and is said to control astigmatism much better than the 50 D or 50 AIS. These other 1.4s have the usual 7-element configuration. I’ve ordered the lens from B&H and can’t wait to use it, being a 50s aficionado myself. Great Blog, Dan.
Bob
12 January 2009 at 10:51 am
Is this f.14G lens better than the existing f1.4D lens, which is about 150$ less? Stated differently, is the increased price justified between two f1.4 lenses, assuming the lens will not be used on a D40 or 60? Thanks.