Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras

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I shoot all Nikon on a D300s body (DX), multiple speedlights (SB-700s and an SB-900), and the full array of Nikon pro glass. This lens is the "holy grail" due to its mid-range focal length (about 75mm on DX), large aperture, compact size, and light weight. However, some people moving from a kit lens and used to a consumer level DSLR body (slower focusing, different expeed engines, no AF Fine Tuning), may run into some issues. Before I go further, please accept this review as a pragmatic, rather than technical review. I focus on end-user usability in the consumer to intermediate range. Others like to focus on numbers and other technical aspects and they do a great job for nerds like me. This lens will surely appeal to consumer level shooters considering "moving up" in glass. These are shooters that typically spend less than $1,000 on a DSLR body and start with a "kit lens." Larger apertures such as the 1.4 are not panaceas for every shooting situation, whether you shoot with a DX or FX sensor, or a D700 or D300s or D3100. Yes, you will be able to shoot in lower light. However, significant depth of field considerations now come into play. So, shooting your daughters ballet recital is more likely possible w/out flash (most dont allow use of flash) but you may have significant focusing issues, especially on a body like the D3100, which focuses much slower than a D300s. So, you could expect more blurry shots when dealing with a moving subject and shooting at 1.4,even when using continuous focus. Outdoors in daylight, these considerations are mitigated, but some remain. For example, moving subjects shot at 1.4 may have the wrong area in focus and the rest out of focus due to depth of field, leaving you with an image that cannot be salvaged through post processing. And, the 1.4 aperture will typically yield soft focus, while arguably preferable for portraits, but not so for landscape. Many people also believe a 1.4 aperture eliminates the need for outdoor fill flash or, any flash. I find this to not be the case unless I am going for a specific type of shot where natural soft light source is illuminating my subject from the front (think window illumination). With this particular lens, you will want to shoot in the f2.8 to 8 range for most situations. Since I prefer shooting at ISO 100 or 200, this means I will probably have to rely on at least one speedlight. This lens provides good color rendition at a contrast level to be admired. However, it is a lens best shot in manual mode and under complete user control. You will want to integrate post processing distortion and sharpening control to play it safe. So, shoot in RAW format whenever possible to provide maximum flexibility with this lens (a good idea anyway- I always shoot RAW). This lens provides nice compression for portraits at an equivalent of 75mm, while wide enough, even on a DX for landscape. Its size and weight serves as a great all around lens for travel. For me, its a choice between my Nikon 17-35 or this lens. I usually take this lens. Side note: Many people seem to have complained about the AF accuracy of this lens. I would suggest you test for AF accuracy and then use AF Fine Tune if your camera has it (D300 and above do). Every lens can have particular quirks when paired with a body. Nikon offers the best quality control in the industry, but they cannot pair for every DSLR body differential. It is possible to get a bad copy of the lens, especially if Amazon shipped it in a large box with no packing. So, in summation, if you are moving from a kit lens on a consumer grade body, this is a great pro level FX/DX lens to consider. But I have to wonder of the cheaper Nikon 50mm 1.8 DX Lens( Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras ) would serve you just as well. I would definitely compare the two for your needs.

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Three years ago, I dropped this lens with my camera attached to it and the lens took the most of the hit. It stopped working and I didnt think it was worth fixing (too crunched). I have used tons of different Nikon lenses over the years and they are super durable, but this one just took too much abuse and was finally finished. I decided to replace it with the 58mm (which is a fantastic lens, but way pricier). I have always missed this light, fast, fun lens and finally decided to add it to my bag, again. Its so great, because its wonderful in low light, very small and light, and gives images a real, photojournalistic feel. A "real life" look. So glad I finally have this lens, again.

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Im a hobbyist and a dad. I mainly take photos of my 3 year old. I found that my kid kept turning away because of the flash even if I bounce it. I needed a lens that can perform in low-light w/o flash. Ive tried these lenses for this purpose: Nikon/Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, 35mm f/1.8G, Sigma 17-50mm f2.8. Like many other users here, Im upgrading from the 50mm 1.8D. I bought the cheaper 1.8D first because I didnt think Id be using the 50mm so much. I soon found that the most useful (and most commonly used) focal length for my job was around 50mm. Once I realized that, I upgraded to the 50mm 1.4G. Ive considered the 85mm f/1.4. If you have a telephoto, then try zooming to 85mm. In a small room, you might not be able to include everything you want on your frame. 85mm is very tight especially on a DX camera because of the 1.5x crop factor. I think 85mm is more for the full-frame camera owners. If you have a DX, this 50mm lens (x1.5 = full frame equivalent is 75mm) is just right for many indoor portraits. Ive also tried the Sigma 17-50mm because of its wide constant "pro" aperture (f2.8). I was hoping that I can use that instead of carrying multiple primes like I do sometimes (50mm and 35mm). That was a big $700 mistake. There is no way an F2.8 can ever compare to the primes in terms of being able to shoot in low-light without flash and also getting beautiful bokeh with background separation. This does have an odd filter thread size. I tried putting a 58-70mm step-up ring like Ken Rockwell suggested so I can use my 70mm filters. That setup looks ridiculous, and your hood wont fit anymore. Just get the 58mm HOYA UV filter. The photos taken with this lens actually look brighter than what I can see with my own eyes in the room. No clumsy flash needed. Amazing lens.

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Scored nicely buying it used, saving a few bucks. The autofocus is great and it does not weigh much at all, making carrying it around a breeze. If youre serious about portraits, get this. I used this for a landscape shot but the results are pretty good, I shot this by hand!

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The Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G slowly became my "walking around" lens I purchased it in 2009. Before I made the purchase, I compared the Nikon MTF charts with those for 50mm f.1.4 from Zeiss and was surprised that Nikons lens is, at least theoretically, a better performer. As expected, the corners are soft wide open, with significant improvement with stopping down; by f/2.8 the edges are very acceptable. The entire field is tack sharp by f/4.0. Im now using this lens on a Nikon 800, which is very demanding on optical quality. Pros - Fast, bright and sharp - AF is quiet, usable for shooting video - Excellent balance of contrast and resolution - Smooth bokeh - Weather sealed Cons - The lens has considerable geometric distortion that turns rectangles into trapezoids. It does not improve with stopping down. Youll need software like DxO Optics Pro Version 7 Elite Edition Photo Enhancing Software for Macintosh & Windows to easily correct the problem. - Some color fringing is noticeable at large apertures. - Im not crazy about the plastic build, but it seems solid enough. - AF speed seems sluggish on a Nikon D800 36.3 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

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The FX Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 is a really nice street lens, portable and sharp. The Bokeh is nice, is it like the 85mm f/1.4 no but its a 5th of the price and you wont psychiatric help if you drop it on the street like you would with the 85mm. There is some fringing in bright light but in most cases its fixable via Lightroom or a similar application.

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Worst 50mm Ive ever purchased. On a 36.3MP D810 in focus areas are still super soft wide open. This is frustrating when comparing it to a Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art lens or even Canons 100 dollar 50mm 1.8.

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I purchased the Sigma 50 1.4 first for the Nikon mount. I really wanted to like that lens. It looked great, big and heavy, a real piece of glass. But the thing would not focus properly on my D300. Every image was out of focus, no matter what compensations I dialed in. Sharpness was pretty bad on those rare shots that I got it focus wide open. Closed down, it was a good performer, but still missed the focusing mark. I sent it back and got this lens. The lens strikes a nice balance between size and performance. It is much slower to focus than my 24-70 and even my old 85mm 1.4. I would say it is on par with the previous version of the lens, AF-D, which I sold to buy this. The Sigma did a lot of hunting, but this locks on and stays there. The Sigma danced around the focus spot and never quite hit it. Optics are superior. Much sharper wide open with the Nikon. Construction, although plastic, is adequate. I dont use my lenses for hammers. It should outlive me. I wish it had nanocoating for this price. No a lot of improvement over the AF-D, and you can save about $200 by going that route. But definitely a big improvement over the Sigma. I look forward to using this for low-light candids at weddings with my D700 and portraits with my D300.

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I was looking for a prime lens that would give me a nice depth of field when filming and this absolutely does the job. The low aperture setting was another reason I bought this so I didnt have to fight too much in lower light to get some great footage/shots. My only issue is simply the tightness of the frame, though I understand its not designed to be wide angle. Overall, its a lens I use constantly.

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Super fun to use! Great definition. Its the best for low light situations. I just used it at my high school reunion at a restaurant / bar and I was able to get pictures that were nice and bright looking.

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