Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
by Nikon
List Price:
Our Price: $329.95
You Save: $114.04 (26%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $294.99 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: NikonModel: B00005LENO
Product features:
- 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon DSLRs
- Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
- Closest focusing: 0.45m/1.5 ft.
- Accepts 52mm filters
- Includes 52mm lens cap, rear cap
- Dolica CF-C52 52mm CPL Filter
- Dolica CF3-ND52 52mm 0.3ND 2X Neutral Density Filter
- Dolica CF9-ND52 52mm 0.9ND 8X Neutral Density Filter
- Opteka OPT CPL 52mm 52mm High Definition II Multi-Coated Circular Polarizing Glass Filter
- Opteka OPT3FK52mm 52mm 3 Piece Pro Filter Kit Includes UV,PL,FLD
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Understand what you are buying and why and you will be happy!
Summary: 5 Stars
Background you can skip
I realize a lot has been written everywhere about this lens. Just look at KenRockwell or DPReview and the sheer detailed reviews from fellow photographers around the internet. One thing is special about photo-ists: they are hardly fan-boys: if something is a-miss with a product then that get splattered out in gory detail, often with photo evidence... Why am I saying this? Because I think you can therefore trust the overall rating of this lens on the web. This one is often referred to as the model 1902, as well, by the way.
I wanted to add my 2 cents since I have bought several lenses in the last year that are all very similar. This review focuses on the 1.8 and 1.4 50mm lenses. The other 2 lenses are reviewed on their individual product pages. I thought some others might be trying to choose between these 2 lenses, but having a hard time determining the relatively steep price difference between the 1.4 and 1.8. I will not go into the technical differences between the 2 either as others that are more adept than me have done that and I am predominantly a person that focuses on the results and not the specs.
The primes I own:
85mm 1.8
35mm 1.8
50mm 1.8 ( http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265596625&sr=8-2 )
50mm 1.4 (this one)
About this lens
I bought this lens especially for portraiture. I am a hobbyist but my camera is glued to me (a D90) and I tend to shoot lots of shots indoors, capturing casual moments of my kids, pets and so on. Probably very similar to any other proud dad and hubby.
Initially I did not want to shell out for the 50mm 1.4 and decided to get the well respected 50mm 1.8. I loved the 1.8 from the start. It was great indoors and even at the 1.8 f-stop it was sharp (with the softness that one can expect). The color rendering is beautiful and I love what it does to skin tones combined with the softness wide open. Since the 1.8 became my most beloved portrait lens I decided that it would be worth looking at upgrading to the 1.4. So I took the leap.
Of course the extra light is great but do the photos come out magically better? No, not for the pro-mateur like myself. The AF is a little faster it seems and perhaps, but I am not sure, the colors come out a little more vibrant. Softness wise at wide open I think they are equally soft but the 1.4 gets tack sharp at f2 whereas the 1.8 needs to get closer to f4. I happen to shoot mostly in the f2 to f4 range so this is acceptable for both.
The bokeh (the out of focus texture of the background that can make the subject look like it was placed in front of a wonderful milky pastel) is impressive on both lenses. I cannot say that there is a visibly distinguishable edge for either.
Ofcourse the depth of field with the 1.4 is more pronouced than with the 1.8 at wide open.
My simple conclusion
I am not trying to compare a 100 dollar lens to a 300 dollar lens because the 300 dollar one is the better lens when you read all the reviews and I *think* I agree. However, when you are looking for value for money, the 1.8 wins hands down. You get so close to the 1.4 results and if you're a photoholic amateur like myself you will be deliriously happy with the 1.8. Once you have exhausted its capabilities (which will take most of us 20 years of learning) or you become enamored with sports photography (or your kids play ice hockey and you do not want to flash) then the 1.4 becomes more realistic.
I recommend that if you are on a budget then you start with the 1.8. Once you are ready to upgrade you simply sell it, you will always get 80% of value back if well treated, and substitute with the much more expensive 1.4.
Al the serious pros would simply jump straight to the 1.4 but that is not the audience this review is meant for. Hope this helps.
A humble non-technical amateur photographer
Description of Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Fast enough for shooting in just about any type of light, this is an ideal first lens; perfect for full-length portraits, travel photography or any type of available-light shooting. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor lens delivers distortion-free images with superb resolution and color rendition. Accepts 52mm filters.Digital Camera Lenses
Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Digital Camera Lenses
Canon EF 70-300mm f/ 4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EF 85mm f/ 1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EF 75-300mm f/ 4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EF 24-70mm f/ 2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Nikon 70-300mm f/ 4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon; Release date: 2006-10-25; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/ 4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
![Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lens Image](/images/Nikon-55-200mm-f-4-5-6G-ED-IF-AF-S-DX-VR-Vibration-Reduction-Zoom-Nikkor-Lens-B000O161X0-X.jpg)
Nikon 55-200mm f/ 4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor LensNikon; Release date: 2007-03-29; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Best price: $349.00
Price in other shops:
Nikon 50mm f/ 1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EF 50mm f/ 1.8 II Camera LensCanon; Digital Camera
Best price: $99.95
Price in other shops:
Similar digital cameras and accessories
Nikon 70-200mm f/ 2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon; Digital Camera
Best price: $1,939.97
Price in other shops:
Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon; Release date: 2008-07-26; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR CamerasNikon; Digital Camera
Best price: $11.59
Price in other shops:
Dolica CF3-ND52 52mm 0.3ND 2X Neutral Density FilterDolica; Digital Camera
Best price: $9.70
Price in other shops:
Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200, D300, D700 and D80 Digital SLR Cameras, Part 25334Nikon; Digital Camera
Best price: $28.19
Price in other shops:
Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Nikon; Digital Camera
52MM Clear Filter for D-serieNikon; Digital Camera
Best price: $34.89
Price in other shops:
Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Nikon; Digital Camera
Tiffen 52mm UV Protection FilterTiffen; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Nikon HR 2 - Lens hoodNikon; Digital Camera
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops: