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Review Summary
2021-06-08T14:39:30
Things happen when you work, I think you should always have a backup plan and insurance is cheep.
BOB W.
2021-04-29T16:35:56
I do not have any issue with this lens yet. I like it.
YOUNG K.
2021-03-30T09:06:49
A great (!) "Nifty-Fifty". Surpasses all expectations.
Peter K.
2020-06-29T04:46:39
I love this lens.
Dennis S.
2017-03-23T11:33:55
a 50mm prime is a great multi-purpose tool and Nikon has plenty of options to meet that need (1.4D, 1.4G, 1.8D, and 1.8G) at multiple price points. I can't speak specifically to the others, but I can say that the 1.4D is a great lens at a very reasonable cost. I chose this lens from among the four options for four major reasons: 1.) I thought it was worth paying a little extra for the F1.4 versus 1.8 for low light situations. 2.) Reviews suggests significantly more distortion on the F1.4G 3.) The F1.4D was less expensive than the F1.4G. 4.) I could survive without the "benefit" of the F1.4G, which is its ability to shoot manual while in auto mode (for the D, you need to actually switch to manual focus) My experience with the F1.4D is that it is extremely sharp and does exactly what it is supposed to do. Its small size and light weight are an added bonus (though not different than other Nikon 50mm). I highly recommend it, whether you are a beginner, hobbyist, semi-pro, or professional. .
Kevin S.
2016-12-28T10:40:43
Excellent lense for low light food photography. I'm able to shoot into the evening.
KIMBERLY V.
2016-12-16T12:57:20
This is my first Nikon lens purchase - and I am NOT disappointed. I was told that everyone needs a nifty fifty, and now I know why. As a portrait photographer, this lens provides me with a crisp, clean image every time. Also, the bokeh is phenomenal.
Kait L.
2016-12-13T10:24:02
I ordered the Nikon 50mm 1.4 AF lens in good faith that I'd eventually receive the right lens that actually worked as all F stops and AF. It did neither. It ONLY worked on F 16 and no AF at all. I sent it back and received a replacement today that did exactly the same thing. I suspect it was the same lens. Either way this is no way to do business or treat a customer - new or old. I had planned to order a lot more gear but cant waste time and money on a company that cant get it right. I just need lens that worked and have never returned anything twice in my life. Anywhere. I know Christmas is a busy time (for us ALL) and hope you can figure it out. I'll have to find another company that can get it right. Mike
michael b.
2016-01-04T04:59:39
This is a full frame 50mm 1:1.4 Nikon D Frame lense. Perfect shots every time. We have it on a D750 and if you can afford the extra cash (over the 1.8 F stop) it's worth the money. My wife hasn't set it down since she opened the box.
BRANDON K.
2013-12-23T19:00:00
Needed a fast prime lens for my FX and this one works great. It's compact and lightweight and fits in your pocket, so if you need the extra speed and the convenience of easy carry, get this lens.
chase4
2013-08-26T21:00:00
This is replacing my 24-70 2.8 zoom lens. I found myself always having to compensate for way too much distortion and having to shoot around 50mm anyways just to get a good shot. I figured I should just sell the other and get a 50mm prime. I was really disappointed until I put this baby on. Wow! I am in love. I usually shoot with primes, but I wanted a good zoom to be ready for any scenario since I am now shooting editorial. I really dislike wide angle distortion and this lens has none of that. Fast, sharp, gorgeous dof. Everything a $1600 lens could not do.
aadd
2013-07-08T21:00:00
Only started using it but worked great on my D300.
sf
2013-04-22T21:00:00
My favorite lens in my collection to date!
Amber
2013-02-08T19:00:00
This was my first prime lens purchase, and I'm very happy with it. I tested it out over the holidays shooting indoor photos of family members without flash and had plenty of available light thanks to the wide aperture. This lens also has some very nice bokeh. I opted for the 1.4D instead of the 1.4G to save a little on cost.
GREG F.
2013-01-09T19:00:00
This was my first prime lens purchase and I'm very pleased with it. It takes some very nice portraits in lower light situations thanks to the wider aperture. I've not yet used it extensively but am looking forward to putting it to some serious work.
GREG F.
2012-12-12T19:00:00
This lens has proven invaluable for low light photography. It's fast, sharp and best of all, SMALL! I can throw it on my D300 w/ no grip and carry it all day while walking or hiking and that's a huge plus when trudging up a mountain side. I can toss it on a D800 and follow my kids around on a lazy sunday and take pictures for hours. Best of all is, I can go on locations that don't allow flash and have little natural light and still be able to get some mighty fine pics!
JOSHUA W.
2012-05-15T21:00:00
I don't buy school pictures of my kids, and this is the perfect lens for the annual photos. Nice, easy to use, and great shots.
Flex
2012-04-29T21:00:00
Nikon Prime lenses are some of the best glass out there and for the price you cant go wrong.
STEPHEN F.
2012-04-22T21:00:00
I chose this over the AFS version because I still shoot with Manual cameras too. The AFS version does not work with M/F cameras due to the lack of an F stop ring. This D lens has a good manual focus ring, smooth in operation, plus that all important F stop ring.Sharp from F2 on up!
MICHAEL S.
2012-03-13T21:00:00
Works great on a D7000. ISO 6400 is usable for casual pics. ISO 3200 is very usable. Anything below that is great. Sharpness at F4 is freaky. I haven't needed/wanted to try any higher f/stops. Don't know about other reviews I've read over and over, but 1.4 is barely soft in the center, and when used for portraits helps get a unique feel of the pic. It actually hides some of the blemishes you would definitely notice at F/2.8+. Great lens.
LLOYD J.
2012-03-11T21:00:00
Unfortunately i received a bad copy of this lens; focusing was inconsistent at various distances (regardless of aperture setting). My results were confirmed by a certified repair facility and even then they did not know exactly what the issue was.
Rhode R.
2012-01-29T19:00:00
Great Bokeh lens. Small, Light, sharp! making it a joy over those heavy 2.8 "pro" zoom lens' I'd been us3d to dragging around. A bit wide as a "comfortable" 105mm portrait lens, but less costly and maybe the discomfort level makes for more interesting photographic tension.
Chris B.
2012-01-15T19:00:00
I purchased this with the purpose of using it as AF and MF lens on several cameras including Nikon FM2n, Nikon D300S and Canon 5D Mark ii with adapters. At the same time I purchased a Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2.0 SL-II (Nikon mount) and did a comparison. Although I was losing an aperture stop and slightly smoother bokeh I returned this Nikon lens and kept the Voigtlander which is a much sharper lens, better all around performer at all stops with less distortion, far superior build quality and much finer redering qualities of light and color than this Nikon. This 50mm f/1.4D AF could stand to be upgraded in the areas of lens coating, build quality and potentially rethinking the optics formula to gain more overall clarity at all stops.
DOUGLAS R.
2011-12-18T19:00:00
plan on taking to Alaska
Jimsbo
2011-12-11T19:00:00
I shoot a lot of night and low light shots for which this lens is indispensable. It's also a huge help that this lens works perfectly on both my digital AND film cameras. No complaints. A solid winner.
CRAIG C.
2011-11-27T19:00:00
I like this lens just fine, except that it seems to focus a tad soft. The lens is not blurry, just a little soft. Trying to figure out if it's the photographer or the lens ;^/
cburn
2011-10-23T21:00:00
Such a fantastic lens. Ever since I put it on my Nikon D300, it hasn't come off. Great for portrait lens!! Every photographer should have one of these. :)
LuisaLinkous
2011-10-02T21:00:00
This is one of my favorite lenses to use because it always produces "wow factor" results.
Barbara L.
2011-09-04T21:00:00
Such a great lens to get up close and personal with your subjects. Great lens for low light and the picture quality is great.
ADAM G.
2011-09-03T21:00:00
I purchased the 1.8 lens first and wish I hadn't. Though the 1.8 is an excellent lens for the price, it doesn't hold a candle to the 1.4 version.
RLC
Nikon
1902
Nikon AF-D
Black
Standard
Nikon
Full Frame
Auto Focus
N/A
21" / 54cm
N/A
N/A
50mm
FX Format 46 deg. / DX Format 31 deg.
Not Applicable
N/A
f/16
f/1.4
0.15x
N/A
N/A
N/A
52mm
6 Elements / 7 Groups
N/A
2.1 x 2.5" (53.34 x 63.5mm)
7.8oz / 222g
None
Yes
N/A
N/A
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My "Wow Factor" Lens
By TropX
Of my little stable of lenses, this 50mm is my favorite for portraiture and general use. (I'm sure there are other lenses which pros prefer for portraits, but with the pro price tag attached.) It's roughly the same field of view on a DX camera as a 75mm short telephoto. I've read complaints about softness in the corners, but it sounds like these come more from FX camera owners rather than the cropped DX sensor—I've never noticed anything objectionable on either a D70 or a D300s. Personally...
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Great results from standard fast glass.
By Noah D.
Clearly superior to the 50/1.8, this lens does exactly what it is designed for: good low light performance and spectacular image quality.Granted, the depth of field is EXTREMELY narrow in the f/1.4, f/1.6, f/1.8 range, but the newer cameras have no problem finding focus. The problem comes from any change in relation to the subject - whether closer or farther away - even the slightest shift can make a difference.But that isn't an issue with the lens itself, just getting used to extremely shall...
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Distortion-free, high-contrast images with superb resolution and color rendition.
Note! AF not supported by D40, D60, D3000, D3100 & D5000 cameras