Nikon 50mm f 1 4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Fast enough for shooting in just about any type of light, this is an ideal first lens; perfect for full-length portraits, travel photography or any type of available-light shooting. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor lens delivers distortion-free images with superb resolution and color rendition. Accepts 52mm filters.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Good lens for the money, but there are better
I’ve owned two of these. Good image quality, but not quite as good as the new AFS version.
The filter ring is plastic. I could care less, but I did drop it repeatedly and chipped off a 3/4″ section of the filter ring. After some sanding, thing still works. That’s why I bought a second one–I shoot weddings and looks count. Using gear with large pieces missing just won’t fly. Also knocked a good chunk off the aperture ring.
I’m quite sure that this lens could survive normal use. However my first sample dropped off a four foot stage onto concrete. Repeatedly.
If you don’t plan on dropping your lens onto concrete, or rolling around a mosh pit with your camera, or running from wild animals in the forest, this lens will probably do.
If you want something with dust sealing, a more solid build, and must have autofocus in the nikon system, get the AFS 50/1.4. If you want compatability with film bodies AND autofocus, get this lens. If you want AF and the best sharpness, get the AFS version.
Moral of the story, use UV filters. They may not prevent your lens from getting damaged, but if I wasn’t using one, my original 50/1.4AFD wouldn’t still be functional (even with missing chunks) today.
4 Stars is a dream
I waited 2 yrs to buy this lens, and let me say one thing.. ITS AMAZING… the DOF and the creamy backgrounds are amazing, Exspecially on a D700, or even on a D70s. As for portraits outdoors, indoors sharp and love availible light(natural). On lanscapes brillant, I love it. Exspecially on my D700, I got star effect shooting my Christmas lights this yr…
Yes it is exspencive but worth it’s weight in gold.
5 Stars lens
Very well constructed, great photo’s, just a little hard to use for me…takes a little getting used to because of short focus.
5 Stars Worth Every Penny
While the 50mm 1.8D is much cheaper, a comparison to this lens shows that you get what you pay for.
The price difference is about picture quality, and not necessarily maximum aperture size. Having tried both of them out, the 1.4D gives me better results all around. Objects appear crisper, colors have more pop to them, and the bokeh is smoother.
As is generally the case, the extreme f-stop settings leave something to be desired. Depth of field, when it comes to f/1.4, is so small that I rarely ever use it.
I almost always focus manually, so it didn’t bother me too terribly much that I couldn’t autofocus with my D60 (I’ve since upgraded to a D90.) In those moments of laziness, though, I really wished I had sprung for the 1.4G.
This is the one lens I carry around with me at all times. Whether I’m out shooting in the city, out in nature, portraits, or anything in between, this lens will find it’s way onto my camera. It’s a great snapshot lens for parties, too. The wide open aperture is like staring into an abyss.
The 1.8D is a decent lens, and really can’t be beat when it comes to price. As an investment, though, the 50mm 1.4D is the way to go.
5 Stars Great lens
I have been using this lens for a while. It is the lens that spends the most time in front of my D700. This is the perfect available light/walk around lens. If you are good at not shaking when you move you can get away with 1/4 second shots with this lens. Wide open the lens isn’t the best there is but I don’t look at the pictures with a magnifying lens anyway. Remember when using the lens you have to use the foot zoom feature, walking closer or further away from the subject. And the 50mm was pretty much the only lens Henri Cartier-Bresson used, if it is good enough for him it is good enough for me.
