Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D Review

DPR reviews the Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D and unsuprisingly find that it provides exceptional image quality, specifically when stopped down (typical of this size lens, it is a bit soft wide open), as they say:

The results of our studio tests demonstrate that in this region it is wholly untroubled by the 12Mp sensor of the D3, and has plenty in reserve for the inevitable arrival of FX cameras with double the resolution; indeed it is sufficiently sharp in the centre to out-resolve the D300’s 12Mp DX sensor, which would be equivalent to 28Mp on FX. And all this comes in a lens which is small, light, unobtrusive, and distinctly affordable.

-DPR

This isn’t to say that it is outclassing the competition, as the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM has firmly put its foot in the door in the 50mm prime category, and outperforms the Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D when wide open, but at the expense of size and expense. Also, anybody considering this might want to consider the f/1.8 which gives up a little in speed, but not much, if any, in image quality or build. It also is quite a bit cheaper.

Get the review here…

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1. 

   Yeow Ming says:

   August 13, 2010 at 11:59 am

   I like using the Nikon 50mm f1.4D @ f1.4 however at this aperture the center is soft. Is there anyway to overcome this? I apply higher In-camera sharpening and contrast when I shoot with this lens at f1.4, Is mine method proper? Do you have an alternative remedy? Please advice.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     August 16, 2010 at 8:06 am

     This is usually the case, wide open lenses are not going to be at their sharpest, it isn’t you, just the nature of lens design I suppose. If you’re shooting on a tripod I’d suggest focus stacking….take a picture at f/2.8 or slightly higher, then another at f/1.4, stack the two in photoshop and keep just the sharp portion of the f/2.8 shot. Minus a tripod, you simply have to learn to like your results at f/1.4 or shoot a smaller aperture.

     reply