Just now okt 2024 I have bought this lens second hand for not too much ( 600$) I had already used the lens in the past, but was not convinced, although I saw special things like an overwhelming unsharpness ( bokeh), very saturated colours and strong contrast. Even now i was thinking of bringing the lens back, but did not. The prints 10×12 inch convinced me of the special sharm of the lens, like no other. Also i like 58mm for portraits. I think that the problem is that thanks to computers we are able to see everything at 100% on screen, and so see every little optic error. In the past we looked at prints, that is about 25% on screen. then the optical problems are invisible unless we print big ( larger than 20inch)
Laurence Goode
February 8, 2023 7:17 pm
Have been using this lens for a year now. All I can say is, that on balance, it’s just better than any other 50mm Nikkor I have used. In most ways and in every way that effects me. Occasionally I may prefer the color profile of another 50mm, However, I find this lens now never leaves the camera. Just better on all accounts.
Pat
July 15, 2022 4:23 pm
I would love to use this lens for the Brenizer effect, but am concerned about its ability to stitch, thinking there might be too much difference between the edges of the overlap and the center. Anybody?
I just would use a better corrected lens for stitching. Or use f8-f11.
Brian
April 1, 2022 5:24 pm
I just picked this lens up for a steal used at my local camera shop. Funny I was looking at buying one from an online seller for a much higher price and I talked myself out of it. Then this morning I decided to see what my local shop had on the used list. There was noting special jumping out at me until there it was the elusive 58mm 1.4 G. I had to go give them my money. The guy at the camera store thanked me for buying it because he was going to spend his paycheck on it on pay day so I saved him from himself haha. I did a shoot with it today and so far I dig the look. No disappointments because I knew what I was getting into with it (thanks to your great review).
JOHN MOTZI
March 8, 2020 10:56 am
I use this lens for landscape photography – the recessed front element actually is quite nice in the rain and snow as it protects the lens from droplets (unless of course shooting into the wind). I have been shooting 1:1 aspect for a few years now so I find the 58mm focal length quite useful (50mm is a little too wide) using my D850 or Z7 camera. Looking forward to a 60mm S lens for Z7 someday, but meanwhile I am quite happy with the 58/1.4G
Peter Williams
December 21, 2018 1:36 am
I just wanted to say thank you Nasim. Your reviews and work are always of the highest quality and a very trustworthy guide for people to find out what a piece of equipment is really like. I could make an informed decision about this lens as I know exactly what it will and will not do before I purchased it. It sits in front of me as I am typing this and I am quite looking forward to putting it to good use. I just can’t thank you enough for sharing your fine, exceptional work. I hope that it continues for many years to come.
Hiro
August 21, 2018 12:38 am
Thank you for the great review. This is the best review I’ve ever seen. Majority of reviews are not even fairly tested or looked at the lens of the character. I see almost all review only concern about the sharpness rather than nothing else. I love this lens.
Robert Jordan
April 29, 2018 6:20 pm
I bought the 58mm specifically for night images, mostly train subjects and I have been extremely happy. I also have Nikon 85 1.4 and am happy. In addition I have Sigma 35mm 1.4. Overall OK, but under certain conditions like a a misty night I can get a crazy flare around bright lights. I use it when I need to but take test shots to look for the flare and always a little fearful. If I can use the 58 instead, I will. Sigma is bulky and heavy and sometimes I long to go back to my 35mm AIS which is really comfortable. In addition the mounting ring loosened up which I read online is a common problem. When I sent I back for warranty they said it was dropped. Not that I know and only $100 but??? The Sigma tradeoff is size and weight.
Henk Vastenholt
April 29, 2018 3:18 pm
I thought that this lens was designed to correct for coma, like the old Noct – Nikkor. From Nikon I understand that when correcting for one flaw, sharpness is then somewhat compromised. Unfortunatly this test does not refer to that issue. I own a Noct and hence have no need to purchase this lens. When procuring a 50mm lens whilst going for ultimate sharpness, the new Sigma art is a clear winner, albeit a heavy monster. This 58mm – f1.4 is quite portable.
Robert
October 20, 2017 1:04 pm
Thank you for the very interesting and in depth article.. I have been researching for a “Prime” lens, was leaning toward the Nikon 50mm F:1.4 and now your article has tipped the scale in favor of the 58mm. I am by no means a “Professional” photographer, but I always want the best equipment available for the photos I take. Thank You!!!
Just now okt 2024 I have bought this lens second hand for not too much ( 600$)
I had already used the lens in the past, but was not convinced, although I saw special things like an overwhelming unsharpness ( bokeh), very saturated colours and strong contrast.
Even now i was thinking of bringing the lens back, but did not.
The prints 10×12 inch convinced me of the special sharm of the lens, like no other. Also i like 58mm for portraits.
I think that the problem is that thanks to computers we are able to see everything at 100% on screen, and so see every little optic error.
In the past we looked at prints, that is about 25% on screen. then the optical problems are invisible unless we print big ( larger than 20inch)
Have been using this lens for a year now. All I can say is, that on balance, it’s just better than any other 50mm Nikkor I have used. In most ways and in every way that effects me. Occasionally I may prefer the color profile of another 50mm, However, I find this lens now never leaves the camera. Just better on all accounts.
I would love to use this lens for the Brenizer effect, but am concerned about its ability to stitch, thinking there might be too much difference between the edges of the overlap and the center. Anybody?
I just would use a better corrected lens for stitching. Or use f8-f11.
I just picked this lens up for a steal used at my local camera shop. Funny I was looking at buying one from an online seller for a much higher price and I talked myself out of it. Then this morning I decided to see what my local shop had on the used list. There was noting special jumping out at me until there it was the elusive 58mm 1.4 G. I had to go give them my money. The guy at the camera store thanked me for buying it because he was going to spend his paycheck on it on pay day so I saved him from himself haha. I did a shoot with it today and so far I dig the look. No disappointments because I knew what I was getting into with it (thanks to your great review).
I use this lens for landscape photography – the recessed front element actually is quite nice in the rain and snow as it protects the lens from droplets (unless of course shooting into the wind). I have been shooting 1:1 aspect for a few years now so I find the 58mm focal length quite useful (50mm is a little too wide) using my D850 or Z7 camera. Looking forward to a 60mm S lens for Z7 someday, but meanwhile I am quite happy with the 58/1.4G
I just wanted to say thank you Nasim. Your reviews and work are always of the highest quality and a very trustworthy guide for people to find out what a piece of equipment is really like. I could make an informed decision about this lens as I know exactly what it will and will not do before I purchased it. It sits in front of me as I am typing this and I am quite looking forward to putting it to good use. I just can’t thank you enough for sharing your fine, exceptional work. I hope that it continues for many years to come.
Thank you for the great review. This is the best review I’ve ever seen. Majority of reviews are not even fairly tested or looked at the lens of the character. I see almost all review only concern about the sharpness rather than nothing else. I love this lens.
I bought the 58mm specifically for night images, mostly train subjects and I have been extremely happy. I also have Nikon 85 1.4 and am happy.
In addition I have Sigma 35mm 1.4. Overall OK, but under certain conditions like a a misty night I can get a crazy flare around bright lights. I use it when I need to but take test shots to look for the flare and always a little fearful. If I can use the 58 instead, I will.
Sigma is bulky and heavy and sometimes I long to go back to my 35mm AIS which is really comfortable.
In addition the mounting ring loosened up which I read online is a common problem. When I sent I back for warranty they said it was dropped.
Not that I know and only $100 but??? The Sigma tradeoff is size and weight.
I thought that this lens was designed to correct for coma, like the old Noct – Nikkor. From Nikon I understand that when correcting for one flaw, sharpness is then somewhat compromised. Unfortunatly this test does not refer to that issue. I own a Noct and hence have no need to purchase this lens. When procuring a 50mm lens whilst going for ultimate sharpness, the new Sigma art is a clear winner, albeit a heavy monster. This 58mm – f1.4 is quite portable.
Thank you for the very interesting and in depth article.. I have been researching for a “Prime” lens, was leaning toward the Nikon 50mm F:1.4 and now your article has tipped the scale in favor of the 58mm. I am by no means a “Professional” photographer, but I always want the best equipment available for the photos I take. Thank You!!!