It's crazy that people are still talking about this lens' "issues" almost 10 years later
I remember buying this when it was first released in 2013. Me, Hardcore, Elijah, Jason Brook, along with others bought it and shot with it extensively and we were talking about the very same thing on the 1st iteration of this thread back then. This is one of the lens I've always loved on the Nikon system and will buy one again when I buy a Df someday. Most controversial lens in Nikon's history that's for sure
What I have concluded after using several 58 1.4G for many years:
- There is INDEED a sample variation of this lens.
- You need to AF Fine tune this lens
- It's not the sharpest wide open at MFD
- Has some haze wide open, but it's not a bad thing - that's what adds character. There are many sharp lenses out there so if you're into that, then maybe consider a 60G macro. The 58 1.4G is all about character wide open. Sharpens extensively at f2 but you don't want that.
- Most beautiful 3D rendering of any 50-ish lens.
- Slow AF, but accurate once AF Fine tuned
- Front plastic rim gets nicked easily by the lens cap. Don't use front lens cap on this lens. The front is already recessed a lot.
- 58mm is the PERFECT FOV that is just exactly as you see things in real life. Not 50. 58.
I have never used this lens on Nikon Z but I would expect that mirrorless will eliminate the focusing issues. I think this lens will be phenomenal on a Fuji body with film simulations.
JadedWriter wrote:
I don't know what it is then. Thing seems to be pretty consistent on the D5, Z9...it's kind of all over the place granted I never tried AF fine tuning it on that body. D850 is probably the worst one, though I probably have to figure a better correction value on that camera. Like I get the feeling this lens has a different correction value per camera and I kind of don't have the time to AF fine tune this lens across like 6 different bodies.
Re AF fine tuning on my Z7ii with both the 58 and 105 1.4's -- mine hit spot on at zero. However, I sometimes will dial in a minus 1 on the 105 when doing portraits as this pulls the focus just slightly in front of the eyeball -- in this the eyeball is still inside the DoF but toward the rear (obviously) and now the eyelashes are in better focus for a sharper looking eye overall. I experimented with this tactic on the 58 and found for street distance subjects, a minus 2 generated a sort of similar result but would occasionally be too much, so I abandoned the practice for that lens. Offered FWIW...
I'll have to experiment with this at some point. I normally don't fine tune on the mirrorless bodies. gear-nut wrote:
Re AF fine tuning on my Z7ii with both the 58 and 105 1.4's -- mine hit spot on at zero. However, I sometimes will dial in a minus 1 on the 105 when doing portraits as this pulls the focus just slightly in front of the eyeball -- in this the eyeball is still inside the DoF but toward the rear (obviously) and now the eyelashes are in better focus for a sharper looking eye overall. I experimented with this tactic on the 58 and found for street distance subjects, a minus 2 generated a sort of similar result but would occasionally be too much, so I abandoned the practice for that lens. Offered FWIW......Show more →
Joseph. wrote:
It's crazy that people are still talking about this lens' "issues" almost 10 years later
I remember buying this when it was first released in 2013. Me, Hardcore, Elijah, Jason Brook, along with others bought it and shot with it extensively and we were talking about the very same thing on the 1st iteration of this thread back then. This is one of the lens I've always loved on the Nikon system and will buy one again when I buy a Df someday. Most controversial lens in Nikon's history that's for sure
What I have concluded after using several 58 1.4G for many years:
- There is INDEED a sample variation of this lens.
- You need to AF Fine tune this lens
- It's not the sharpest wide open at MFD
- Has some haze wide open, but it's not a bad thing - that's what adds character. There are many sharp lenses out there so if you're into that, then maybe consider a 60G macro. The 58 1.4G is all about character wide open. Sharpens extensively at f2 but you don't want that.
- Most beautiful 3D rendering of any 50-ish lens.
- Slow AF, but accurate once AF Fine tuned
- Front plastic rim gets nicked easily by the lens cap. Don't use front lens cap on this lens. The front is already recessed a lot.
- 58mm is the PERFECT FOV that is just exactly as you see things in real life. Not 50. 58.
I have never used this lens on Nikon Z but I would expect that mirrorless will eliminate the focusing issues. I think this lens will be phenomenal on a Fuji body with film simulations. ...Show more →
Yep, that summarizes the 58g to a T. I’ve had mine since early 2014 and haven’t ever really given strong consideration to selling it. I did prefer it on my Z6 vs the Z9 or Z7II. I’m keeping an eye out for the next iteration of the Z6, as that may be the perfect time for me to sub-out the Z7II and have the Z6III as my backup as well as the constant companion for my 58g.
I mean if new people are buying said lens over these 10 years and giving their opinions on it then these issues are bound to resurface. Joseph. wrote:
It's crazy that people are still talking about this lens' "issues" almost 10 years later
I remember buying this when it was first released in 2013. Me, Hardcore, Elijah, Jason Brook, along with others bought it and shot with it extensively and we were talking about the very same thing on the 1st iteration of this thread back then. This is one of the lens I've always loved on the Nikon system and will buy one again when I buy a Df someday. Most controversial lens in Nikon's history that's for sure
What I have concluded after using several 58 1.4G for many years:
- There is INDEED a sample variation of this lens.
- You need to AF Fine tune this lens
- It's not the sharpest wide open at MFD
- Has some haze wide open, but it's not a bad thing - that's what adds character. There are many sharp lenses out there so if you're into that, then maybe consider a 60G macro. The 58 1.4G is all about character wide open. Sharpens extensively at f2 but you don't want that.
- Most beautiful 3D rendering of any 50-ish lens.
- Slow AF, but accurate once AF Fine tuned
- Front plastic rim gets nicked easily by the lens cap. Don't use front lens cap on this lens. The front is already recessed a lot.
- 58mm is the PERFECT FOV that is just exactly as you see things in real life. Not 50. 58.
I have never used this lens on Nikon Z but I would expect that mirrorless will eliminate the focusing issues. I think this lens will be phenomenal on a Fuji body with film simulations. ...Show more →
Joseph. wrote:
It's crazy that people are still talking about this lens' "issues" almost 10 years later
I remember buying this when it was first released in 2013. Me, Hardcore, Elijah, Jason Brook, along with others bought it and shot with it extensively and we were talking about the very same thing on the 1st iteration of this thread back then. This is one of the lens I've always loved on the Nikon system and will buy one again when I buy a Df someday. Most controversial lens in Nikon's history that's for sure
What I have concluded after using several 58 1.4G for many years:
- There is INDEED a sample variation of this lens.
- You need to AF Fine tune this lens
- It's not the sharpest wide open at MFD
- Has some haze wide open, but it's not a bad thing - that's what adds character. There are many sharp lenses out there so if you're into that, then maybe consider a 60G macro. The 58 1.4G is all about character wide open. Sharpens extensively at f2 but you don't want that.
- Most beautiful 3D rendering of any 50-ish lens.
- Slow AF, but accurate once AF Fine tuned
- Front plastic rim gets nicked easily by the lens cap. Don't use front lens cap on this lens. The front is already recessed a lot.
- 58mm is the PERFECT FOV that is just exactly as you see things in real life. Not 50. 58.
I have never used this lens on Nikon Z but I would expect that mirrorless will eliminate the focusing issues. I think this lens will be phenomenal on a Fuji body with film simulations. ...Show more →
It was nice of you to mention me
This lens was in my bag for the longest time, mind you, I had major GAS (NAS in this case) but I kept it in my bag for several years before parting w/ Nikoin and going to the bright side (Canon)
Been over 4 years and I have no desire to switch back to canon because this thing called GAS is completely gone... Guess it comes with age or... I grew up?
Joseph. wrote:
It's crazy that people are still talking about this lens' "issues" almost 10 years later
I remember buying this when it was first released in 2013. Me, Hardcore, Elijah, Jason Brook, along with others bought it and shot with it extensively and we were talking about the very same thing on the 1st iteration of this thread back then. This is one of the lens I've always loved on the Nikon system and will buy one again when I buy a Df someday. Most controversial lens in Nikon's history that's for sure
What I have concluded after using several 58 1.4G for many years:
- There is INDEED a sample variation of this lens.
- You need to AF Fine tune this lens
- It's not the sharpest wide open at MFD
- Has some haze wide open, but it's not a bad thing - that's what adds character. There are many sharp lenses out there so if you're into that, then maybe consider a 60G macro. The 58 1.4G is all about character wide open. Sharpens extensively at f2 but you don't want that.
- Most beautiful 3D rendering of any 50-ish lens.
- Slow AF, but accurate once AF Fine tuned
- Front plastic rim gets nicked easily by the lens cap. Don't use front lens cap on this lens. The front is already recessed a lot.
- 58mm is the PERFECT FOV that is just exactly as you see things in real life. Not 50. 58.
I have never used this lens on Nikon Z but I would expect that mirrorless will eliminate the focusing issues. I think this lens will be phenomenal on a Fuji body with film simulations. ...Show more →
I'm still shooting with the 58mm 1.4G and I continue to love it. I'm even still shooting with the 200mm F2 you convinced me to buy on DPreviews many moons ago.
I've been shooting the lens quite a bit indoors this winter with it being my only f/1.4 lens. Good light is always a struggle but I'm finding the more time we spend together, the more we get along.
urbanwild wrote:
Gorgeous! Btw, your photos are a large reason why I dropped a bunch of money on this lens a while back. To this day despite newer tech, it’s still likely my favourite lens. Cheers!
Thank you! Not sure why I hadnt seen your comment til now. Really appreciate the kind words
Excellent! Nice work - very sharp at 1.4! Loving the B&W again too.
Curious though.....were you having issues on a Z camera? [edit].....never mind, I see you used a z9 above. I know there are people who suggest doing AF fine tuning even with a mirrorless. I don't understand it and I admittedly have not tried doing it. Would be interesting to know if this helps your Z9 experience.
Curious also to the group - have you found doing AF fine tuning helpful at all despite the suggestion that it shouldn't matter?
I get the feeling that this lens needs all the help that it can get. You can get a really good image out of it, but this thing is definitely not plug in and play. I like it, doing the fine tune definitely helps keep it out of the trade in department at Adorama. urbanwild wrote:
Excellent! Nice work - very sharp at 1.4! Loving the B&W again too.
Curious though.....were you having issues on a Z camera? [edit].....never mind, I see you used a z9 above. I know there are people who suggest doing AF fine tuning even with a mirrorless. I don't understand it and I admittedly have not tried doing it. Would be interesting to know if this helps your Z9 experience.
Curious also to the group - have you found doing AF fine tuning helpful at all despite the suggestion that it shouldn't matter?
JadedWriter wrote:
I get the feeling that this lens needs all the help that it can get. You can get a really good image out of it, but this thing is definitely not plug in and play. I like it, doing the fine tune definitely helps keep it out of the trade in department at Adorama.
For sure.....if you're going from that lens to adding / switching to a 58mm, it has to be for the overall character / rendering and less about the sharpness. The 8mm makes a difference to the overall look but the lens paints with broader brushes.
I have that lens and the 50 1.2 in my camera bag for today since I have no idea how much weird lens switching I'm going to be doing for a shoot with my D859 and Z9 (somebody else on the job is using the work Z7II so I've been using some really weird camera combos lately). urbanwild wrote:
For sure.....if you're going from that lens to adding / switching to a 58mm, it has to be for the overall character / rendering and less about the sharpness. The 8mm makes a difference to the overall look but the lens paints with broader brushes.
@JadedWriter, these pictures are a lot sharper than the ones you posted earlier. It seems like the lens plays better with the D850 than the Z9? It would appear so.
Yes, this lens is a bit quirky and sometimes tests your patience (I have this lens). Not as consistent as other lenses but man, I feel Nikon put some special sauce in the rendering, definitely special enough to hang on to it. And it's so light
It looks like it plays better on the D850 because I had to dial in the right amount of AF fine tune on the D850. I used it on the D850 on probably the previous page and it kind of annoyed the crap out of me with the shakey output. I feel better with it now. Shot earlier with it for work and I honestly need to get back to the office and check again, but yes it’s better than non calibrated on the Z9. sanjayg wrote:
@JadedWriter@, these pictures are a lot sharper than the ones you posted earlier. It seems like the lens plays better with the D850 than the Z9? It would appear so.
Yes, this lens is a bit quirky and sometimes tests your patience (I have this lens). Not as consistent as other lenses but man, I feel Nikon put some special sauce in the rendering, definitely special enough to hang on to it. And it's so light
@JadedWriter, I think your last two series above reprent some of your best work yet — and to be clear, I think most of your image posts are excellent. 👍
