Its just a rumor now, but we know its going to happen. Hopefully tomorrow will announce new Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens.
Hoping for a nice compact version, not like other Z lens, but something near G 50/1.4 maybe?
It has to be something different than Z 50 1.8 - if same, then nobody is going to buy it, used 50/1.8 can be had for £499 like new condition, so if they release same thing as 35/1.4 for £650, then 1.8 will be better option.
Really curious on how this will compare to the Sigma Art 50mm f1.4. Been looking to replace it for a lighter 50mm f1.4. Considered adapting the Samyang but wanted to wait to see if Sigma would bring the 50mm DG DN to Z mount. But this just might rule out the Sigma option unfortunately.
The 1.8S is a $400 or less used lens any day of the week, and it seems to be frequently included in Nikon's discount/rebate programs. How much cheaper do we need a fast 50 to be? And can it still be good if it is?
BSPhotog wrote:
The 1.8S is a $400 or less used lens any day of the week, and it seems to be frequently included in Nikon's discount/rebate programs. How much cheaper do we need a fast 50 to be? And can it still be good if it is?
I just hope it follows the same design principles as the 35-
We don't need another boring, clinical sharp lens- Give it some character and design it to be a fun lens for portraits wide open.
The 35 1.4 is a perfect example of this. Probably one of the best new 35's I have used in a very long time. Easily my faovrite 35 with AutoFocus I have ever used.
Some people want perfect, well corrected lens- Throw spaghetti at the wall and you get 50 of them.
I really like how Nikon designed the 35 and hope it continues in the 50.
It's welcome news. Glad Nikon has a 1.2, 1.4, and 1.8 line.. but the prices for the 1.4 may be a sticking point. I doubt the 50mm 1.4 will be cheaper than a used 50mm 1.8 S as noted above, and as we know the 1.8 S is simply amazing. Could be a tough sell? Perhaps. It'll have some nice character like the Z 35mm 1.4 has. To pixel peepers though, the 1.4 probably wont cut it although they do look great.
Let's see what Nikon announces but I think releasing a 50mm f1.4 Z and 85mm f1.4 Z that follow the 35mm f1.4 Z could be a very smart move by Nikon. These won't be lenses for people debating the IQ difference between the 50mm f1.8 S and 50mm f1.2 S. They will be lenses for people starting out in Photography, people on a tight budget, or people who prefer rendering over IQ. These are important user bases to cover to grow the user base of the Z ecosystem. Most people don't buy a 2k prime lens as their first prime, and most people don't switch camera mounts once they start with a brand.
ArizonaImage wrote:
$499, not a bad price. Under the MSRP of the 1.8 S but more than a mint used 1.8 S. Curious what used prices will look like for both.
Yeah, it might bring 1.8S used prices down a bit, maybe. But I think it will be hard sale for Nikon, more light plus any "character" 1.4 will bring, against 1.8 S sharpness for less...
The time where a used Nikon 50mm f1.8 Z will be close to a new Nikon 50mm f1.4 Z in price will be relatively short. I am sure a year from now there will be used 50mm f1.4 Z lenses available and they will be priced even lower than than used 50mm f1.8 Z lenses are today.
Also the used market is mostly comprised of two types of photographers, people looking for the cheapest deal, which in a year from now will be the 50mm f1.4 Z, and photographers that deep down the gear rabbit hole and will probably eventually end up with the 50mm f1.2.
I think over all this will be a good selling lens for Nikon.
DWOfPaul wrote:
The time where a used Nikon 50mm f1.8 Z will be close to a new Nikon 50mm f1.4 Z in price will be relatively short. I am sure a year from now there will be used 50mm f1.4 Z lenses available and they will be priced even lower than than used 50mm f1.8 Z lenses are today.
Also the used market is mostly comprised of two types of photographers, people looking for the cheapest deal, which in a year from now will be the 50mm f1.4 Z, and photographers that deep down the gear rabbit hole and will probably eventually end up with the 50mm f1.2.
I think over all this will be a good selling lens for Nikon. ...Show more →
I just think its smart and great options for photographers-
Look at the Sony 50 1.2 and 50 1.4 GM- They are the exact same lens, except for the Aperture and size-
Whats the point? Why not differentiate your lens output which is what I really think Nikon is doing and making smart choices.
kaila21 wrote:
Really curious on how this will compare to the Sigma Art 50mm f1.4. Been looking to replace it for a lighter 50mm f1.4. Considered adapting the Samyang but wanted to wait to see if Sigma would bring the 50mm DG DN to Z mount. But this just might rule out the Sigma option unfortunately.
This is exactly where I'm at! I like the 50 1.8S but I find it clinical at times...fun for studio, but don't dig it outdoors. I loved the ART on my DSLRs, and short of an FTZ, this is where I'm at...
RoamingScott wrote:
Lol no this is not a Tamron. People who like to take a dump on Nikon use that as their go-to.
Which is silly because Tamron makes some absolutely phenomenal glass, including a lot of high end first party lenses that other people aren't even aware of. Half of Tamron's lens revenue is for designs made for first party or other manufacturers, and that certainly is not the small handful of Nikon rebranded zooms for Z mount.
Most of these are not known, but one that is is the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8, which is a fantastic lens, designed by Tamron, made by Zeiss.
Jman13 wrote:
Which is silly because Tamron makes some absolutely phenomenal glass, including a lot of high end first party lenses that other people aren't even aware of. Half of Tamron's lens revenue is for designs made for first party or other manufacturers, and that certainly is not the small handful of Nikon rebranded zooms for Z mount.
Most of these are not known, but one that is is the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8, which is a fantastic lens, designed by Tamron, made by Zeiss.
I agree that it's silly, considering Tamron basically made the gold standard 35/1.4 which is still debatably top-of-the-heap (until the 35/1.2 hits).
Since the early 2010s Tamron and Sigma being less capable than first party lens manufacturers pretty much completely went away. Sigma made a wow with Art primes and Tamron made a wow with their zooms.
Fast forwards to today and Sony has partnered closely with Tamron and even owns about a 15% stake in them and Sigma has partnered closely with Leica. Those are strong endorsements and the photography world has always been a bit intertwined. For example Cosina(voigtlander) makes most Zeiss lenses.
I feel this is a big reason why people want to see Sigma and Tamron making / making more lenses for the Nikon Z mount and Canon R mount.
I LOVE Nikon is doing this with fast (1.4) smaller, cheaper lenses with some character at these price points. So unique and intelligent in the industry IMO.
The ZF I didn’t really like, but if the release 3-4 more of these, in particular a 24/28 prime and 85, I’ll for the first time since it’s inception actually be interested in the Z system. More makers should lean into less perfection and l less tech. The Pany S9 did, but in a very odd way of scaling back while trying snag a different demo.
Sony’s GM’s nowadays don’t do it for me—and Profist filters and processing are fine but not ideal.
I don't get the point of this lens -- currently the 50mm f1.8s lens is $529 -- only $30 dollars more than the f1.4. In every aspect, the 1.8s is a superior lens. And the f1.4 is the same size as the S lens so no real savings there. As for character, i can add that in Lightroom/Photoshop with some adjustments easily. With today's sensors is there really that much difference between 1.4 & 1.8?
I just don't get the purpose of these f1.4 lens - besides someone who just has to have f1.4? Seems more like a marketing grab than anything else to me.
To some folks it seems to be a selling point that this lens has character, but taste in character is rather subjective. If this one is similar to the 35/1.4, it's a pass for me.