If you are like me, you love a fast “normal” lens. While the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Lens blew me away at launch and still does, that beauty weighs a bit much for me to use as my walk-around lens. Nikon must have been reading my mind, as they have now released the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S Lens, a jewel of a lens that combines a fast aperture with a lightweight form factor to hit the sweet spot for all-day use.
Key Specs of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S
- 14.5 inch close focus
- 1.4 aperture delivers a beautiful background blur
- Lightweight, ideal for use on a gimbal
- STM Motor for fast, silent autofocus
- Minimal lens aberrations
Biggest Features of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S
The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.4 may be a “normal” lens, but nothing about this lens is average. Its beautiful Bokeh, due to its fast 1.4 aperture, minimal aberrations, and light weight, makes it a perfect lens for photographers on the move. Silent, fast autofocus, suppressed focus breathing, and great balance make it a great lens for video shooters who use gimbals.
Natural Perspective
In the full-frame world, a 50mm is often referred to as a normal lens. Some may think that is because it was typically the first lens that a photographer would buy. These days we’d call that a kit lens. In reality, the “normal” refers to the perspective we get when shooting with a 50mm. It’s not necessary for the field of view, but the lack of distortion and compression makes a shot made with a 50mm feel like what we see “normally.” This makes the 50mm, in this case, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S, a perfect fit for street photography, not to mention documentary work and even portraits. By offering a natural perspective, we invoke a bit of real back into the world of photos currently overwhelmed with the unreal.
Video Forward Design
These days, photographers and video shooters are becoming one and the same: Content Creators. The Nikon Z system is an amazing tool for filmmakers of all levels, and this NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S fits perfectly into any content producer’s kit. The Z 50mm f/1.4 S is built with an STM motor, making it (nearly) silent on set. Not only that, with some cameras, the 50mm f/1.4 S allows for linear manual focus. Add to this suppressed focus breathing and a lightweight design built for balance on a gimbal, and the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S could quickly become a filmmaker’s go-to glass. Whether shooting interviews, documentaries, or features, the Z 50mm f/1.4 S will not disappoint.
The New Normal for Portraits
When I first went pro (too many years ago), medium format was the standard for portrait work. Call them the full-frame mirrorless of their time. When we do all the fun photo math, we might find that those cherished medium format portrait lenses were close to 50mm lenses in the 35mm world. All that is to say that 50mm is and has been a fantastic focal length for portrait shooters. This allows the photographer to be close enough to the subject for a comfortable conversation while still offering a clean, distortion-free perspective. With a fast f/1.4 aperture to deliver creamy bokeh, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S is an excellent choice for portrait shooters.
Who Should Use the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S
This is an easy one. Everyone. Seriously though, a 50mm is the type of prime that every photographer should have in their kit. This is true even if, like me, they lean heavily on zoom lenses for day-to-day work. The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S, as mentioned, is a beast of a lens with dreamy results anyone would love, at the cost of weight and size. The Z 50mm f/1.4 S gives us speed and a reduced weight and size for those who require a smaller, lighter kit.
Final Thoughts on the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 S
As a Nikon Z shooter, this has been one lens I have been waiting for. It will replace my 1.8S for location work; sure, I’ll still grab the 1.2 S for studio work and special projects, but I can see this being the only prime I tuck into my Zoom travel kit.
