Nikon 50mm f1.4 review (www.dombower.com)

[maymaiv1]

I have this lense. I dont know what it is i am doing wrong but my pictures arent as sharp ( especially on a human face portraits) as i want them to be even at f 2.8 and up.. I thought it was thw lense so i brought it back in since i just bought it and exchanged it.. But same thing! Uggh im so frustrated! can someone please help!

[dombower]

@maymaiv1 give us some details of what you are shooting and the settings you are at and maybe a link to the pictures.

[azt3ca]

bought this lens, it's awesome...

[Zerolei05]

if i put it on a nikon D3100 I won't have autofocusing?

[wrobe00011]

@Zerolei05 yes!! but the AF-S version will work

[djsinatra100]

The new version is MUCH sharper at f1.4 then the AF-D version.

[jaydawson93]

I just bought this lens for £250. it's one of the best pieces of gear I've ever used. in Low light it is brilliant! the depth of field is like Dom said, outstanding, and you can be so creative. I would recommend this to anyone interested in portrait work or working with low light in music venue's, festivals or night!

[abybryan]

i have a nikon d3100....is this better than the 35mm f1.8??? what's the difference? which is better for me... thanks!

[unheard128]

@abybryan you would need the 35mm f1.8 AF-S the d3100 does not have a built motor drive needed for lenses without a motor. Look for AF-S on a lens and you cant go wrong. The 35mm f1.8 becomes the equivalent of what would be 52.5mm on a full frame or 35mm film camera due to the crop factor. I never did like 50mm lenses so i dont liked the 35mm f1.8 on my crop camera but i use it on my d700 all the time even though its a dx lens. If you want wider go for one of the Tokina dx lenses

[NguyenTaylor]

@mythicalness Cheap relatively speaking.

[nya13]

Which one would you guys say is the better lens..this one or the Sigma 50mm f/1.4?

[dombower]

@nya13 this one is cheaper but older, havent used the sigma, 

[rofllmaoqwerty]

fujifilm? lol

[MVC7CVM]

Is the image quality better than the nikkor 24-70 f/2.8? Is f/1.4 actually 'useable'?

[dombower]

@MVC7CVM ??? thats a totally different lens. and f1.4 is two stops brighter than f2.8, check the blog for examples

[MVC7CVM]

@dombower Both lenses stopped down at f2.8, both at 50mm

Which one suffers most from any kind of distortion, CA, vignetting, etc ..

i'll check your blog :D

[dombower]

@MVC7CVM firstly you do realise there is a £1000 difference in price between the two… but at 2.8 the 50mm may be better

[MVC7CVM]

@dombower It does sound a really weird question, doesn't it :P? Yes I do realise the massive difference in price, I was just wondering if this lens is any good as an addition (for portrait) to the 24-70. If this lens has better image quality at the same F-stop and 50mm (as you say it may be) perhaps I might buy it, if it isn't then why would I spend the money on a lens which has worse image quality? Only because it has up to 1.4?

Perhaps I should look at the 1.2 ... nice reviews by the way :D

[dombower]

@MVC7CVM ah but f1.4 is 2 stops, 4 times more bright, also its manual aperture ring at the back makes it good for working on video with the canon cameras

[antropoloscar]

should i get for my D90 the 50mm 1.2 or the 1.4 or the 1.8 ????

[dombower]

@antropoloscar what do you think? also what prices can you get them from

[richardjellyman]

Do you recommend getting the d or g type of this lens, can you explain the difference in what d and g means. I know it's something to do with the autofocus

[dombower]

@richardjellyman new g lens has no aperture ring.

[t3colista]

can i use that lens on my d60?

[dombower]

@t3colista does your camera have a focus motor in the body? if so then yes

[cycluns]

what is the best setting on my nikon D200 camera with an sb 600 flash if i want to shoot in an indoor photography like a party in a hotel ballroom hall wherein i want to shoot peoples (guests) faces using this nikon 50mm i.4 lens? thank you.

[dombower]

@cycluns depends on distance from you and the subject. best setting is the second setting after you have taken your first shot,

[DRFay123]

would this lens auto focus on my nikon d3000?

[dombower]

@DRFay123 nope you need the new afs version

[DontStepOnTheSteeze]

how do you use the auto focus on the lens?

i have a nikon d5000 and i just moved up from my 18-55 to this lens,

and i dont know how to activate the auto focus?

thank you

[omfgsomental]

@DontStepOnTheSteeze 50mm 1.4 AF does not autofocus on d5000's unless it is a 50mm 1.4 AF-S. The little S at the end makes a difference. If your lens is an AF-S. You simply flip the switch on the less from "M" to "AF"

[AZNFlipy12]

lol dom check it out theres a vuvuzela sound effect for this vid lol

[showmak]

Thank you for the useful review. Now at this time which one do you recommed to be used on D300s, the 1.4D or 1.4G?

[dombower]

@showmak ill always go with the older one

[thhall459]

Thanks for another really useful video! Do you have any comments regarding the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 manual focus lens? I am considering that lens or the 50mm f/1.4G to use on my Nikon D700. Thanks from Slidell, LA, USA.

[dombower]

@thhall459 the speed of the auto focus on the g lens is not impressive, i tried it before and instantly chose the older D lens. manual focus f1.2 will be very expensive.

[thhall459]

@dombower You have convinced me. I ordered this lens today. Best of luck to you always from Slidell, LA, USA

[HayPhoto]

@dombower I have the 58mm f1.2 and it takes a lot of practise to focus perfectly but it can be done, also its expensive and unless you absolutely need it, f1.4 is good enough.

[lifekenophobic]

Great video. I'm looking at the 1.8, so I'm hoping it will be comparable. Also helped me understand DOF a bit better with your explanation at the end.

[crooney82]

dom i love your reviews man. hows that fujilm camera working out for ya. itsnt that basically a d200 with better dynamic range?

[EurghMatt]

That interesting that the front element is 52mm however the 1.4G is 56mm. Im seriously considering getting the 1.4G for my D60.

[owendart]

Hmm I'll give it a try cheers

[owendart]

Hey Dom, I was wondering if this lens is any good I know you said it in the video but I was wondering if there's anythig else that's good or bad about it, I've heard and seen many videos that say it's an ace lens but us it realy I'm lookikg at getting it but I want to be sure first. Many thanks Owen :D

[dombower]

@owendart why dont you go try one out in a shop first?  since all the videos praising it is clearly not enough for you.

[owendart]

@dombower i have done and now i can see why people including you love it, Its immence i need one :) cheers

[kankurou89]

i'm intending to get a nikon d90 to replace my sony a230 which was from my uncle. do you think the d90 is good then other intermediate cams?

[ithree6mafia]

will this fit my nikon d5000,

[yuenzhi]

Hi Dom, I just purchased a nikon 50mm f/1.4D and I realized at wide open f/1.4 it's kind soft and there's CA. But decreasing the aperture, all these will disappear. Did i get a bad copy or is that just the way it is ?

[dombower]

@yuenzhi no  you didnt get a bad copy, that is just something you have to deal with when it is at f1.4

[yuenzhi]

@dombower i see thank you for verifying this for me ! love all your videos btw

[bo178]

how would you compare this lens to the 50mm f1.8?

[singingfish82]

hi Dom .could you plz help me choose between a nikon nikkor afs 50 mm f/1.4G mm and a nikon AFS NIKKOR DX 35 mm /1.8 mm G.....i own a nikon d90 and am willing to pay more for the best lens.i want to take low light photos and portraits in low light .plz help.

[pominpocket]

I also think I will get the 85mm 1.8 D.

[pominpocket]

I like your video. And I have just purchased this lens. But now I am looking at the 85mm 1.8D for my nikon d 90. But maybe the 50 is enough I have kit lenses too

[multitalent8]

I own both. They are both fine lenses. The 85/1.8D is best for portraits. Razor sharp and beautiful bokeh. I use it more than the 50/1.4D (I have a D90 as well)

[awviraj]

@Daveteauk: dom was right, this lense is good for portraits not landscape.Other thing is 50mm is not a wide angle lense at all, lenses like 10, 18 ,20 mm are the wide angle lenses.

thank for the review.

[markrskinner]

Lens.

[Lumixster]

G'day mate, just wanted to know, if u can tell me, whats the diff between 50 mm f1.4 D and 50 mm f1.4 G?

[devonly2]

@Lumixster the G has a motor. works on D60, 3000 5000 D40 etc. SLRs without motor in the housing. needs the new one. Bigger SLRs like D80 D90 D300 D200 etc has motor so can use any.

[Lumixster]

ty so much devon, yest in a retail shop, there was 1.4 G on sale for $196, am thinking this cant be right, yup, miss print lol great help mate ty again.

[felixcock]

@Lumixster the letters

[noerboy93]

thanks your video was so insightful! i was wondering how to adjust the bokeh on it now i now how

[muzafar001]

thank you so much DOMBOWER!

Your presentation is really helpful sir!!!!!!!!!!

Mezza

[Daveteauk]

Dom, a 50mm lens is NOT very good for portraits, it's too wide; and because of that, it IS good for landscapes. You got it the wrong way round matey.

[wladius]

That depends on the DSLR, doesn't it? 50mm is value for the full frame sensor. For example, Nikon DX sensor has 1.5 crop factor so this 50mm lens becomes 75mm, which is really close to the idealportrait focal length - 80mm (not my words I read it somewhere), and that's a bit too long for the landscape.

[pominpocket]

For so called bohker is the 85mm 1.4 a far better lens .

[Neil1138]

Excellent video! Very informational, I'm planning on purchasing this lens very soon and this video helped me quite a lot

[dateacha77]

Hi Dom, excellent review, even as a total beginner, I did understand all the details. My question though, as I am from the Canon camp, is there a similiar lens for my 450D. And is there much difference between a F1.4 and a F1.8 modell?

Cheers for helping me out!

[markrskinner]

Great video Dom!

Do you think this lens would be any good for cars? ie Static, at an outdoor show for instance?

(I use a Nikon D80)

[d8jl7]

Hi Dom, Do You have a Review on nikkor lens 35mm af-s 1.8G. ? can you suggest this lens on my nikon d5000? Thanks & God Bless!

[Noorlander0172]

Dom,

Thanks (again) for a great vid :)

I'm on the market for buying a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 or a Tokina 11-16 2.8 but making a good decision is never been so difficult ;)

[dombower]

they are both good decisions, its just a case of what one you want to get first. or buy both!

[picturethis56]

Hey Dom (: What's really the difference between this lens and the 50mm f/1.4G. Is the G really worth the $200 more?

[dombower]

af-S which is actually slower than this one, the afs will work on cheap bodies that dont have a motor,

is it worth it?

NO!

[picturethis56]

Ah, so good to know. I save 100 bucks, thanks Dom!

[soniabirjis]

HI Dom :) will this work on D5000? plz let me know thanks a lot :)

[dombower]

there is no internal drive in the lens so youneed the new hsm/af-s lens for the d5000

[bboi0813]

Will it make a lot of difference if compared to the 50mm 1.8 in terms of sharpness wide open?

[MrNomadr]

not really, the F1.4 is sharpest around F2.8 -F3.5, while the F1.8 is sharpest at around F8, in other words the 1.4 is ideal for low light, while the 1.8 works best in good light.

[ipamadeus]

i have a nikon D60 and my question is : will AF 50 mm autofocus on my camera?

or if it doesn't, may i use it on manual?

best regards

[trongs01]

the af-d 50mm wont work (the one in this vid) whereas the newer af-s 50mm will. but its quite costly.

and yes u can focus it.

[AttemptingToBeBusy]

Why is this tagged with 'canon'?

[Godte1]

Does it auto focus with a Nikon D5000

[dombower]

@Godte1 no

[Godte1]

Would I then be better off with 50mm 1.4g DX??

[dombower]

does that lens exist? or are you just making up stuff?

[AWriterWandering]

@Godte1

If you want autofocus, the 50mm f/1.4G AF-S is the only way to go on a D5000 (unless you count the Sigma f/1.4 HSM).

~Note that there is no "DX" in the lens designation. That's reserved for lenses that are only designed to cover the smaller DX sensor.

[DallasfuckingTT]

@Godte1 W/ this lens you don't need to worry about AF. It's super easy to focus fast.

[904SF]

Why would u suggest this over the new 50mm AF-S?

[dombower]

@904SF because it is better and faster

[904SF]

How? Like I would think that the newer version would be better. When you say "better" do you mean in picture quality?

[Norrberrt]

Hey Dom.. so i just remembered watching another video here on youtube.. about the 50mm F/1.4 AF.. do you recommend anything to go along with the lens?.. the video mentioned that it is very sensitive to sunlight.. and photographing strong light objects.. due to lack of ED coating.. also recommend HR-2 Lens Hood.. says ideal to photograph at wide aperture outdoors under sunlight.. an ND [Neutral Density] Filter recom. as well when photographing between F1.4-F2.8 in outdoor lighting. glass filter?

[dombower]

@Norrberrt no.

[Norrberrt]

.. thank you.. the older lens it is.. sticking with the AF..

[emajbranch]

hey dom, great info. I love photography, I usually use film but I bought a nikon d60 a year ago and i'm looking to purchase some more lenses. I need a lens that's great in low light situations as well as one that's good for great light situations. should I go with the 50mm f 1.8 or pay the extra money for the 1.4?

[Norrberrt]

.. hey dom.. love your vids.. a lot of help.. thanks.. one thing that is on my mind.. theres a replacement for this lens now.. AF-S.. it says that it is a bit faster than the older version [AF].. but i dont know with which one to go with now.. the AF or the AF-S?.. what is you opinion?.. thanks..

[dombower]

@Norrberrt i tried both the af and the afs and opted for the af (it was a good hundred pounds cheeper and its speed to initiate focusing was much faster. i found the afs to be a bit sluggish. dpreview i think did a lens review comparing and found a possitive difference for the old lens

[LivingForLOL]

It like the same as the canon 50mm 1.4 USM, right?

[Ot3n]

i got an old-ish 50mm nikkor 1.2 Ai myself. i like it alot

[crazyinsanitie]

Hey dom whats better nikon 50mm f/1.4 or the nikon 50 mm f/1.8 because the 1.8 is two times less expensive as the 1.4 one??? also does .4 make that much of a differences???

[dombower]

when you do shoots like mine you want every bit of fstop possible!!! the difference between an 1.4 and a 1.8 can be a 30th to a 45th of a second which can be a big difference.

[HeavenOfTrance]

hehe hey mate.. you know.. HSM is the name for the sigma motors .. the nikon name is SWM (Silent Wave Motor)^^

[trashho]

Great lens, bought mine yesterday and took some really, really, really nice shots with it.

I highly recommend this lens!

[wadevb1]

I have had the lens for five hours now and have been impressed since the first picture. I went into the shop expecting to purchase the 85mm 1.8 but discovered the 50mm fit my focal length better.

Mine is attached to a d90 and as he suggests, it's now close to a 75mm.

A must lense for the bad IMO.

[trashho]

Thanks for the review!

Going to buy it tomorrow or Saturday!

[maccj92]

Hi dom

Is this lens any good for macro at all what cheapish lens would you reccomend for macro I have a nikon d90

[dombower]

no this is rubish for macro. i think sigma make a 50mm macro but it is a 2.8 not 1.4

[111ImNumber1]

Hi, I have a d700 and am thinking of getting a 50mm, BUT i am not sure which one i should go for! 1.4G, 1.4D, or 1.8D? Is there actually any significant difference between these lenses? which one would you recommend on the d700? thanks

[dombower]

when you do shoots like mine you want every bit of fstop possible!!! the difference between an 1.4 and a 1.8 can be a 30th to a 45th of a second which can be a big difference. the older f1.4 i think is still the winner!

[ctgartland]

I wish the comparable Canon 50mm lenses had the same quality because I was thinking about buying a Canon 50mm f/1.4, but I heard that its focus motor would stop working after about a year. Also, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 (Nifty Fifty) had terrible build and, in some instances, fell apart after a year or two.

[Drpepper99uk]

Thanks Dom,

Great video's by the way ;-) Very informative.

Mike.

[Drpepper99uk]

Hi Dom,

Excellent video, silly question but can you still select the aperture value using the SLR controls on the camera in Aperture Priority mode even though this lens has got an aperture ring on it?

[dombower]

yes, the apperture ring needs to be kept on f16 and then you can use the digital slr. otherwise you get an error message put up and you cant shoot.

[ewongkl]

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. For example, with aperture set at 1.4, you took 1/70 of a second; with f/2, you took 1/20s etc.

We know that, with a higher ISO, you can use an even higher shutter speed. Maybe (say) 1/100s for f/1.4, 1/50s for f/2 etc.

What we're interested is how low the ISO can be kept while a sharp picture can still be taken. I'm just wondering what ISO you used for those comparisons. Thanks for your reply.

[dombower]

it doesnt matter because i used the same iso for all shots.

[ewongkl]

Thanks, Dom. Really helpful.

Maybe you've answered that before; but what camera was that you're using there? and the shutter speeds you mentioned were used at what ISO setting?

Thanks again.

[colinstu]

That is the Fujifilm S5 Pro.

He also has a D300 and D80 from what I've seen from his videos.

[dombower]

the shutter speeds you mentioned were used at what ISO setting?

???

thats a really bad question. that is like saying what temprature and for how long do you cook every meal you have.

[chevi97]

You should try the Sigma 30mm f/1.4

I also owne the Nikor 50mm f/1.4 , and the Sgima outperforms its...its a trip....

give it a try if you can

[redvers21]

Hi dom

thank's for the reply

the d300 is a great camera but i want full frame i see the d700 sell's for 1765 was it 1500 last year. i have an old pp mag from las sept and none of the ad's list it under 1700 if i go ahesd and d700 buy i will get the 50mm f1.4g that will be my budget away

paul

[dombower]

when the d700 first came out it was marketed at £1799 then there were loads of discounts on line and in the shops where with a bit of shopping around you could get it for £1500 plus memory card etc, but with the japanese yen being much stronger against the pound any discounts are now not obvious.

[redvers21]

Hi dom

thank's

what do you think of the combination of d700 and nikon 50mm f1.4g

the problem is yf i wait for a price drop it could be next year and that will be to long without a camera

paul

[dombower]

if you are without a camera than just go for it, but if you were upgrading from a d300 i would just wait

[redvers21]

thank's dom

[brt5470]

For my Canon I got the super cheap 50mm 1.8 II, It's so much fun to play with. It creates beautiful shots very easily.

Everyone should have a 50mm 1.4-1.8 in their kit I think.

[dombower]

the problem is in the current economiic climate it is now about 300 pounds more expensive than when it first came out, so for me i am waiting untill i see a significant price drop before i invest in a d700 or its successor. If i had 2 grand i would buy the d300 and some lenses ( but again the d300 is 300 more expensive than this time last year, so try and hold off for a while and see where prices go. i expect end of summer for new products to be out and prices of current products to drop.

[redvers21]

enjoyed your review

[dombower]

glad to hear it!

[redvers21]

hi dom

do you think the nikon d700 is overpriced

my budget is 2 grand

any suggestions from you would be helpful

regads

paul

paul

[dombower]

the problem is in the current economiic climate it is now about 300 pounds more expensive than when it first came out, so for me i am waiting untill i see a significant price drop before i invest in a d700 or its successor. If i had 2 grand i would buy the d300 and some lenses ( but again the d300 is 300 more expensive than this time last year, so try and hold off for a while and see where prices go. i expect end of summer for new products to be out and prices of current products to drop.

[eapradius]

Hey dombower I just got a d70 with no lens, would you recommened the Nikon 50mm as my first lens?

[dombower]

i would say that that would be an awesome idea! especially the f1.4

[eapradius]

Cool!! thanks, I know you said its for portrait , but can I do any landscape photography at all? Lets say a building?

[dombower]

landscape.... building? do you mean architecture photography?

no unless you are a long way away. for stuff like that you really need a wide angle like the sigma 10-20 (fun and cheap)or the tokina 11-16 (which is the best)

I have done some stiched panoramas with the nikon 50mm some which i am still doing just now from the lake district. ill try show them when i do a review of the photos you can take with the 50mm later this month

[eapradius]

Hey dombower what do you think about Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX is it also a good starter lens?

[dombower]

no all kit lenses are pump. get a wide angle say the sigma or tokina and the 50mm. much better than any guff kit lens

[SexyToshi]

This lens is my second prime lens after nikkor 10.5. It takes beautiful shots

[bb3866]

I actually use mine for landscape photos also, just depends on how your eye works.

[acolo63]

Any plans to do a review of the Fuji S5? What differences do you find with the Nikon? Thanks

[dombower]

i think i might,

[dombower]

done

[RossNW]

Where did you get this for £180?

[dombower]

jessops? but think the price is higher now. The new version is far more expensive

[NikonPhoto07]

Very helpful review Dom. I've been looking for a lens to be my go to lens for a portrait shots. Thanks a lot for posting this. What camera model is that you have it mounted on? Do you still use your Nikon D300?

[dombower]

I use the nikon d300 and the fuji s5 pro, which take all the nikon lenses.

glad you found it helpful