The Nikon 50mm 1.4G lens is the long awaited update to the classic Nikon 50mm 1.4D lens. You can get this lens from Amazon (best price + FREE shipping)
Most photographers was waiting for this upgrade, which includes the AF-S motor, because the D version will not autofocus with Nikon entry level DSLR bodies.
This lens will autofocus with every single Nikon DSLR out there in the market due to the addition of AF-S motor.
When used in an APS-C or cropped sensor DSLR camera, the lens will behave like a moderate telephoto lens (75mm equivalent) which is great for portrait shots.
Combined with a full frame camera, you have the perfect, classic f/1.4, 50mm normal lens that almost every photographer use when they are just starting out their photography journey.
So, does this lens perform better than its predecessor?
Let’s read my full Nikon 50mm 1.4G review below to find out!
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Nikon 50mm 1.4G Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Focal Length Markings:
50mm
Features:
AF-S – Autofocus compatible with all Nikon DSLR camera, including the entry level ones.
FX – Compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor, film and full frame DSLR camera.
G – The lens has no aperture ring. Aperture selection is controlled via the electronic mechanism inside the DSLR camera.
Full Technical Specs (from Nikon’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 5 / 6 |
| Angle of View | 31 30′ (DX) – 46 (FX) |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 1.5ft. (0.45m) |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
| Weight | 9.9oz. (280g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 2.9 x 2.1in. (73.5 x 54.2mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.15X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Adorama |
Optical Performance
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Nikon 50mm 1.4G Sharpness
Sharpness is excellent on the center at any aperture, including f/1.4.
Borders, is a bit soft at f/1.4, but when stopped to f/2 or smaller aperture is great.
The point of maximum sharpness on this lens is at f/4.
See my sharpness test result below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 50mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 50mm | Good | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Distortion
Barrel distortion is almost non-existent on this lens. It can be completely ignored.
See the distortion test result below.
Nikon 50mm 1.4G Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is surprisingly well controlled on this lens, even at f/1.4. There is just a very slight vignetting at f/1.4 on this lens.
At f/2 or above, it is pretty much gone and can be ignored.
You can see the vignetting test result below.
Nikon 50mm 1.4G Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration control is excellent on this lens. It is very low at any aperture and you can ignore it.
See the full chromatic aberration test result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 50mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
High quality plastics.
Focusing
The focus ring is damped and operates very smoothly on this lens. The lens dimension does not change during focusing.
The rubberized focus ring is slightly damped and operates reasonably smooth.
Front element does not rotate so you can use a polarizing filter easily with this lens.
This is an AF-S lens which means it will focus with all Nikon DSLR camera, including the entry level Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
The focusing speed is fairly fast, but I still find the Nikon 50mm 1.4D lens to be faster when used on semi professional/professional camera body.
Image Stabilization
There is no VR or Vibration Reduction on this lens which would be unnecessary given the fast aperture.
Compatibility
Being an FX lens, it is compatible with both Nikon cropped sensor DSLR and full frame DSLR camera. Also compatible with Nikon film camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images that I took with this Nikon 50mm 1.4G lens. Click on any thumbnail to enlarge the images.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
I will be summarizing all the drawbacks and positives of this Nikon 50mm 1.4G lens below.
Drawbacks
- Slightly soft borders at f/1.4
Positives
- Very sharp on the center at any aperture and on the border (above f/1.4)
- Excellent distortion control
- Very low chromatic aberration at any aperture
- Good vignetting control
Good For
- Normal lens for full frame DSLR
- Moderate telephoto for cropped sensor DSLR
- Low light photograpy
- Wedding photography
- Portraiture
- Street photography
- All around fast, normal lens
Not So Good For
- Landscape photography – the angle might not be wide enough
- Indoor group photography
What Others Are Saying…
by “J. Thompson”
Price: No, it’s not usually this expensive. I paid around $400 for mine, but I got it a couple of months ago. Apparently Nikon is having a hard time making enough of these. Rather than rewarding…
Click here to see the full review
by “Sidarta Tanu”
This Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S lens produces sharp pictures and great color and contrast. It is also perfect for portrait and other general purposes (semi-macro etc). This lens also produces nice…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Nikon 50mm 1.4G lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (best price + FREE shipping)
See the following related Nikon standard and moderate wide angle prime lens reviews to see more options.
Thanks for reading this Nikon 50mm 1.4G review and I will catch you in the next review!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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