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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Nikon 50mm f/1.4G Review

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G Review

By Nasim Mansurov 110 Comments
Last Updated On July 2, 2020

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Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Optical Features
  • Lens Comparisons
  • Summary
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
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110 Comments
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Carl Sanders
Carl Sanders
December 25, 2024 3:08 pm

Each lens has their own characteristics, “better” in what way? A lens is a lens, they are just tools, no good having a technical best lens if it not known how to use it for an image. So the 1.4 underperforms, doubt it, it is just different, too many getting obsessed with technical info.

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Michael Ursick
Michael Ursick
February 26, 2024 9:39 am

Would you consider the 50mm 1.4d?

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Paul C
Paul C
May 16, 2023 4:19 am

Dear Nasim

Thanks for the review – and your great photos that go with it.

I get the issue that the Nikon F1.4 “underperforms” the F1.8 in terms of lines/mm and focus speed – the F1.8G has aspheric high density glass lens elements that the F1.4G lacks, and the design of the F1.4 needs more mechanical movement so focus speeds are slower — but as your pictures show, most of us get the F1.4 lenses not for “bragging rights”, as one commentator puts it, but for the quality of the out-of focus background and the smooth rendering of highlights. Wide open, the F1.4 is a “one trick pony” designed for portraits – by F8 it is a “standard lens” with resolution and contrast good enough for use on a reproduction copy stand.

I have a 1.8 and 1.4, and when natural light “slow portraits” or still life images are needed, I will always chose the 1.4. For fast moving models and studio portraits then its back to using F8.0 and studio flash and then either lens is great.

In the film era – the F1.4 had an extra advantage that is worth saying if any readers are “going back to film” – for the F1.4 gave 2/3+ stops of extra brightness on the focussing screen and a shallower DoF compared with the F1.8 – so nailing focus was much much easier. In today’s world where 1600asa images are low noise and eye-centred AF is a given, and you can check focus the moment the photo has been taken, that role has fallen away.

Thanks again – and to some of the commentators with their great pints as well

Best wishes – Paul C in the UK

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David L Gottlieb
David L Gottlieb
December 27, 2020 4:31 am

Yes — I know this is a old review. But I decided to take out my 50 f/1.4 lens and I forgot how much I love it.
The great thing is I purchased this in 2008 for $125 new at B&H. I can’t believe that it is now nearly $500…..

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Carl Sanders
Carl Sanders
Reply to  David L Gottlieb
December 25, 2024 3:10 pm

Just got ours from WEX in 2024, £174, used but mint.

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RamesesThe2nd
RamesesThe2nd
October 29, 2018 7:49 am

You know it. You keep 1.4 for bragging rights and subjective Bokeh. “Oh, yours is just f/1.8? I guess that’s OK” and “Background could be more blurry”.

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Magpiedom
Magpiedom
September 3, 2018 3:15 am

Hi,
Great article! I compared the sample photos on 1.4g vs 1.8g. 1.8g does look a little sharper, and maybe it’s lighter. However I prefer all the 1.4g photos for some reason. I don’t know what it is, but the colours just look a little nice and more vibrant! Maybe it’s the editing or something else, but I have both lenses and I tend to prefer the 1.4g. Not sure why!

Thanks
Dom

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Carl Sanders
Carl Sanders
Reply to  Magpiedom
December 25, 2024 2:39 pm

Is there a slight colour cast of warmth with the 1.4? The Nikon 85mm 1.4 gives a warmer colour than the cooler 1.8 and reason it was purchased along with the quality of the image.

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Rodrigo Rodrigues
Rodrigo Rodrigues
February 28, 2018 6:24 am

Thank you for the extreme detailed analysis, I am looking for a 50mm and was trying to decide between the 1.4g and 1.8g, I am now convinced the 1.4g is what I want.

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Carl Sanders
Carl Sanders
Reply to  Rodrigo Rodrigues
December 25, 2024 2:40 pm

Now have both of these as we have quite a few cameras to fit them onto, the 1.4 has its own characteristics regardless.

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Dave Belcher
Dave Belcher
December 13, 2017 7:48 am

Sorry for the necro comment…

I don’t quite understand, Nasim: I’ve carefully reviewed the sample images of the 1.4G with the sample images in your review of the 1.8G and the 1.4G look vastly superior. What am I missing here? I’m viewing at full resolution on a calibrated 1440p ISP monitor…just can’t see what you describe above. The very first, f8, image from the 1.8G review you mentioned (of the boat dock) looks soft even in the center, whereas the f7.1 image above of the two women lying on the gray background (stunning image!) is tack sharp even in corners. You have real-world experience with the lens and so I believe what you’re saying, but I can’t see it and that gives me pause. Thanks for the review.

Peace,

Dave B

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Jonathan Everit
Jonathan Everit
March 10, 2016 8:05 am

Thank you for such a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated review of this lens. Your photographs are incredible.
I bought this lens originally with my D3S and the pairing of the two resulted in a large number of photographs, especially in BW, that I was quite proud of.
The low-light capability is very very good and as someone who wanders the city streets in the early morning hours, a big plus. I bought my second copy this morning to go with my DF and I know some great adventures are waiting…

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Mike D
Mike D
October 6, 2015 9:20 am

Hi there and thanks for your website i find it very useful.

I am finding conflicting opinions regarding the 1.4G and 1.8G though, and i am in the market for a 50mm and undecided on which to buy.

I’ve found three articles stating the 1.4G is the better lense up to about F 5.6 with more uniform and greater sharpness and the 1.8G then takes over, however your findings (and many opinions elsewhere) contradict that. I am swaying towards the 1.4G after doing a few shots with both just due to the larger aperture.

I currently shoot with a d750 and a Sigma 24-105 F4 and would like a faster prime for shots of the kids at home, and would like a lightweight lense so i can keep in my bag when i’m on holidays. The Sigma 50mm ART is a bit too big and heavy.

I guess its hard to go wrong with either lense,

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