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Archive 2024 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

Vento
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p.2 #1 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

In the end, it's always a question of perspective, which is why more choice of different orientations never hurts.
Personally, I also find it difficult to understand the appeal of the Z 35/1.4, we'll have to wait for reviews of the Z 50/1.4, but ultimately it seems to be going in a very comparable direction.

But, as mentioned in the opening sentence, this is due to different backgrounds and different expectations.
I have been shooting analog for decades and have dozens of vintage lenses with character, with optical flaws like SA, CA, LoCA, field curvature, flaring from hell........
For me, modern lenses like my Z 50/1.8 S, Z MC 105/2.8 VR S, Z 135/1.8 S Plena, Z 400/4.5 VR S or the CV 35/2 Apo Lanthar Z are an absolute blessing and a gigantic step forward.
If I want character in this area, then I adapt my Tomioka 55/1.4 or my CZJ Biotar 58/2 Q1 13-blades, or I get out the Canon nFD 85/1.2 L straight away.

Other users have a different background, are looking for a more analog look, less clean than some of the modern, highly corrected lenses offer, a Z 35/1.4, Z 50/1.4 certainly fits into this niche, especially since MF is out of the question for many users, because those who like MF have so many wonderful character-lens options for adaptation, many of them with a long history, which are also significantly cheaper.

This is a clever move by Nikon, as the f/1.8 S is already of such high optical quality that an f/1.4 S with a similar orientation would have made little sense, especially as there is also the Z 50/1.2 S for enthusiasts or the Noct for the really tough ones.
The consumer sector in particular also sorts strongly according to performance data, with f/1.4 ranking higher for many.
For an f/1.4, which normally ranks higher within the system, it then again seems inexpensive, almost a bargain.

Edited on Sep 10, 2024 at 06:19 PM · View previous versions

Sep 10, 2024 at 05:50 PM

Jman13
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p.2 #2 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

itai195 wrote:
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.

From what I�ve seen in several videos it�s a lot less busy than the 35. Not super creamy, but generally quite nice.

Sep 10, 2024 at 06:15 PM

DWOfPaul
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p.2 #3 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

vparikh wrote:
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...Show more →

Give it a year and there will probably be sales on the 50mm f1.4 for 100 off, then during a sale there will still be $100+ price difference between the 50 f1.4 and 50 f1.8. For people on a budget or photographers just starting off the 20% - 25% price difference during a sale will have people picking the f1.4 over the f1.8. Then some photographers will pick the f1.4 for the 2/3 stops more light gathering. 2/3 of a stop faster and 100 cheaper will sound even more enticing to a photographer starting out. For example, my first f1.4 lens was the Nikon 50mm f1.4 G, not because the reviews said it was awesome, or 50mm was my favorite focal length, but because it was the cheapest f1.4 lens Nikon made at the time and I needed a fast lens for low light photos. (Side note this was before the Nikon f1.8 lenses started and the Sigma Art lenses started so the 50mm f1.4 G was about 1/3 the price of any other Nikon f1.4 lens at the time)

Think of a new photographer comparing Nikon Z vs Canon R. The 35mm f1.4 Z is 596 and the Canon R 35mm f1.4 is 1,500. While the Canon is probably a better lens it's 2.5x more expensive for the same specs. Experienced photographers will appreciate the differences but that's not the target market for the Z f1.4 lenses so far. Even on Sony all the 50mm f1.4 lenses from the major brands are more expensive. For example the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is 1,300, the Sony Planar 50mm f1.4 is 1,000 and the Sigma 50mm is 800. This could make Nikon Z much more affordable to a new photographer starting out.

Lastly, there is a growing market of experienced photographers that are looking for less clinical lenses. For example, the people spending 1,000 + on a MF prime mainly because of the rendering of the lens. Admiditly I am not sure how large this market is, but at the end of the day, a sale is a sale for Nikon. So if they can make a lens that targets photographers on a budget and also sell some lenses to photographers looking for a certain rendering style it becomes a win win.

Sep 10, 2024 at 06:29 PM

tomasr
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p.2 #4 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

MTF is not shining very bright for the new lens; same story as 35mm f/1.4. A point has been raised that this will be sufficient for lower resolution (24MP) Z6 variants or 4K video, and that is probably true, at least to some extent. I'm just not sure why you simply wouldn't get the 1.8S lens instead, or adapt the ART which is simply cheaper used.
The big unknown at this point is how the lens behaves once stopped down by 2 or 3 stops. Some of them really clean up very quickly, some stay very soft in the periphery all the way. ART really cleans up at f/2.8 and is optically perfect at f/5.6 for ultra high res landscapes; the major flaw until then is field curvature rather than complete lack of definition. So there are good chances to get away with it shooting portraits much wider. Some lenses are just mushy no matter what.

Sep 10, 2024 at 06:42 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #5 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

?

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...Show more →

The 50/1.8 S is a sale price. But regardless, what you are missing (I think, but maybe I am wrong) is that lots of people don't want to try to make new fast glass look old. It's kind of works, kind of doesn't. And it takes a certain amount of skill, patience and time in post a lot of shooters don't have. I have always found things like dropping contrasts, adding filters and lessening clarity and sharpness aren't quite the same. Though it does alter the character nicely if done well.

And I do think there's a significant difference between 1.4 and 1.8--in terms of light gathering less so, but in terms of shooters' perspectives and bokeh quantity, yes. Just like shooters will pay a a non-linear amount more and carry larger lenses for the last 5-10% of optical perfection which often can't even be seen at displayed sizes or by most people, some crave it. This is the mentality--"we always need the best" type thing. And let's be honest, so much of photography nowadays is really just hobbyist and people bored and looking to try new gear/wanting the latest and greatest. Not a lot of logic, other than, I-like-it mentality, which people are entitled to.

But back at your first question. The 50/1.8s is optically superior but it's 1.8, and relatively large for a 1.8s. I personally prefer more character than most shooters on FM, and I've owned Otus/Sigma Art level stuff.

I get your perspective, but I think you're missing a large segment of shooters. Nikon does too. This lens also helps Nikon compete and snag shooters away from the growing number of cheaper 3rd party makers.

My guess is, this budget 1.4 line will sell well. It's not like these are MS-Optics lenses where the optics are "true" character lenses. These lenses seem more like lenses within the last 2 generations of lenses, which a lot of shooters will enjoy. Nikon's calling these character lenses is just more buzz marketing. Sounds a lot better than reasonable compromise, pretty decent, better than most other mid tier glass etc.

And people like lower-correction--soft filters and film presets and what not are very much in vogue now--the market is correcting from the striving for perfection phase, which really started about 10 years ago. Nikon things there's a market there apparently. I agree.

And my guess is Nikon keeps releasing theses lens to reach video/content creators with very similar size/price/build with similar renderings across the range. Panasonic does this with their 1.8 line for video, but their lenses are larger than I would like for 1.8s, like Nikon's S line.

Sep 10, 2024 at 06:42 PM

ahinesdesign
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p.2 #6 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

When the first 1.8S primes hit the market, there was plenty of whining about how they were too large for f1.8, too expensive, too perfect or �clinical� or �no character.� Many said what Nikon really needed were lenses similar to the F-mount G line.

Now that Nikon has introduced a couple of f1.4 options that address all of those complaints, all we hear is whining about how they aren�t perfect lenses� Some people will never be satisfied, it seems.

At least the new f1.4 lenses don�t have $&@%ing PLASTIC mounts! Right?!?! </s>

Sep 10, 2024 at 08:26 PM

PixiPhotography
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p.2 #7 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

Sep 10, 2024 at 08:29 PM

BSPhotog
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p.2 #8 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

So there I was, thinking about how this lens doesn't really have a place for me (or probably most people that already have the 50mm f/1.8S). It is no smaller and generally worse optically--but does get a 2/3 stop of additional light. Cool. When I want a bit different experience from the 1.8S, I have the 40mm f/2.

Anyway, my rationale brain got distracted and I pre-ordered this thing.

Sep 11, 2024 at 11:50 AM

Nathan Padgett
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p.2 #9 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

I love that there are new lenses to choose from. But........ I'm a gear whore. I love trying and using new lenses, old lenses, new cameras, ect. Now I have too many decisions to make and there aren't clear answers to which is right. Super sharp, great optics vs a little less sharp but an extra 2/3rds of a stop.

I already have the 35 and 50 1.8S's (plus a 58 1.4 I can't seem to let go of). If I didn't any, I have no idea which I'd choose (likely the 1.4's). It's too bad they didn't make the 1.4's the S line. The monster 1.2 seems amazing, but the size and weight is just brutal. The 1.8s could have been smaller and cheaper with more character. Maybe they'll do an f2 line or something like the 40mm.

Ugh. I'm just frustrated really. I want to try them, but can't justify them since I already have the 1.8s.

Sep 11, 2024 at 12:19 PM

JadedWriter
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p.2 #10 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

One reason to not just simply adapt one of the Sigma Art lenses from the DSLR generation is because I have had my 40 1.4 just randomly stop auto focusing mid shoot. It's not often, but it does happen. It has happened in photo and video. And sometimes people just want things to actually work. The debate regarding getting one of the S lenses is a different story. The 1.4's don't look like world beaters, but they look decent enough. Need to look at the reviews again for the 35 1.4 to remember what the problems people are having with it. The 50 looks pretty good from what I've seen though.
tomasr wrote:
MTF is not shining very bright for the new lens; same story as 35mm f/1.4. A point has been raised that this will be sufficient for lower resolution (24MP) Z6 variants or 4K video, and that is probably true, at least to some extent. I'm just not sure why you simply wouldn't get the 1.8S lens instead, or adapt the ART which is simply cheaper used.
The big unknown at this point is how the lens behaves once stopped down by 2 or 3 stops. Some of them really clean up very quickly, some stay very soft in the periphery...Show more →

Sep 11, 2024 at 03:20 PM

aerospace99
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p.2 #11 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

BSPhotog wrote:
So there I was, thinking about how this lens doesn't really have a place for me (or probably most people that already have the 50mm f/1.8S). It is no smaller and generally worse optically--but does get a 2/3 stop of additional light. Cool. When I want a bit different experience from the 1.8S, I have the 40mm f/2.

Anyway, my rationale brain got distracted and I pre-ordered this thing.

Sort of relating to this.......I have the 50 1.8S and the 40. Have moved on from the 58. I see the 50 1.4 as a plausible alternate for a "slight" retro/character/dreamy/low light/human face alternate that brings a hint of the 50 1.4D, 58 1.4G with decent correction, all in the native Z mount with great AF. I passed on the 35 1.4 after trying it out (just could not tear myself away from the Tamron 35 1.4), but I see the 50 has better possibilities. The 50 1.8S is the lens for inanimate objects for me. The 50 1.4 looks like a great people lens and I can easily see the justification for having both the 1.8 and the 1.4. I am interested to be sure.
50 1.8S Travel, inanimate, full length portraits, super sharp head shots.
40 replaces Tamron 35 1.4 (my ultimate 35mm lens choice) for size/weight when mobile and need a bit of wide over a 50
50 1.4, low light, close focus, people, close head shots, maximum bokeh. 10mm and 2/3 stop over 40mm

I know that is 3 lenses but quite frankly its an embarrassment of riches. These 3 options truly deliver different results and provide great alternatives to each other. I like the choices here. Great time to be in Nikon.

I passed on the Zf for ergonomics but I see the 50 1.4 on the Zf in low light as a phenomenal solution. I think Nikon has figured out some things here.......

Sep 12, 2024 at 05:07 AM

vparikh
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p.2 #12 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

I wish Nikon would have released say a 50mm f2 S lens that is smaller and has an aperture ring.

Sep 12, 2024 at 05:08 PM

DWOfPaul
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p.2 #13 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

vparikh wrote:
I wish Nikon would have released say a 50mm f2 S lens that is smaller and has an aperture ring.

Not exactly what you are asking for, but I have been wondering if after the f1.4 lenses if Nikon might expand the compact prime setup (26mm f2.8, 28mm f2.8, and 40mm f2) with some more lenses such as a 50mm f2 and 24mm f2.8.

Sep 12, 2024 at 05:50 PM

phinix
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p.2 #14 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

DWOfPaul wrote:
Not exactly what you are asking for, but I have been wondering if after the f1.4 lenses if Nikon might expand the compact prime setup (26mm f2.8, 28mm f2.8, and 40mm f2) with some more lenses such as a 50mm f2 and 24mm f2.8.

Yep, I hope they will do that soon. I'm tired of trying to find good wide angle lens for my Zf. 24/2.8 would be perfect.
I just cannot stand the look and heftiness of those S line wide lens, 24mm or 20mm, so heavy and long.
Megadap + Batis 25/2 is half the weight, would look weird as hell, but still

Sep 13, 2024 at 03:48 AM

aerospace99
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p.2 #15 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

Following up.....my review of the reviews to date show that this may be indeed the lens I have been waiting for. For 2 years I have been straddling the 58 1.4 and 50 1.8S fence but the adapter situation of the 58 makes a mixed kit somewhat cumbersome. I have always wanted a bit more bokeh on the 50 1.8S and did not like the fact that I really was not happy with the 58 below about 2.2 aperture. From what I am seeing, this new lens may be a really good compromise between the 2. Will see.

Sep 14, 2024 at 07:58 AM

Vento
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p.2 #16 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

vparikh wrote:
I wish Nikon would have released say a 50mm f2 S lens that is smaller and has an aperture ring.

Why not a Voigtlander 50mm f/2 Apo Lanthar Z?
In any case, if you like manual focusing, this is an absolutely brilliant lens with exactly the specs you want.
If applications such as landscape, architecture, city, nightscapes are required, there is nothing of higher optical quality with a native Z-mount and these key data.
Apart from that, the 50/2 Apo Lanthar is already pedaling wide open all the way to the floorboard and that from MFD to infinity.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1625777/

Sep 14, 2024 at 08:06 AM

Jman13
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p.2 #17 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

Yeah if you want a compact 50mm with great haptics and image quality, the Cv 50/2 is well, the best there is. It�s perhaps the best all around 50mm lens ever made from a pure optical standpoint.

Sep 14, 2024 at 08:20 AM

phinix
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p.2 #18 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

So when is it out?
Anyone already planning to order it?

Sep 19, 2024 at 06:12 PM

jrscls
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p.2 #19 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

I think this lens looks interesting but I�m going to stick to the safer option, the 50 f/1.8 S. I assume we�ll see some images soon when it starts shipping.

Sep 22, 2024 at 08:13 PM

BSPhotog
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p.2 #20 · Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 lens

phinix wrote:
So when is it out?
Anyone already planning to order it?

I believe 09/26/2024 is the official release date in the US.

Sep 23, 2024 at 08:52 AM

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