Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D Lens Review

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G Sample Photos

Sharpness in the centre approaches very good levels at maximum aperture | 1/320 sec | f/1.4 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	Clarity across the frame improves as the lens is stopped down to between f/5.6 and f/8 | 1/500 sec | f/6.3 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res
Closest focus is 45cm | 1/640 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	Contrast can suffer when shooting into the light | 1/3200 sec | f/1.4 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res
1/640 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	1/1600 sec | f/1.4 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res
1/1250 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 200 High-Res	1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 50.0 mm | ISO 1000 High-Res

Value for Money

This golden-oldie can be picked up for around £240 new, or for £150 or less if buying used. Even though this lens may lack some of the luxuries afforded by more modern lens designs, it is still capable of delivering excellent image quality and should make an excellent used buy.

Nikon's latest AF-S 50mm f/1.4G costs around £270 and sports silent focusing and manual focus adjustments can be applied at any time.

Sigma also manufacture a 50mm f/1.4 lens, which sports silent focusing with full-time manual override. However, their 50mm offering carries a price premium and costs around £350.

If having a maximum aperture of f/1.4 isn't necessary, then Nikon's 50mm f/1.8G sports silent focusing with full time manual override but only costs around £150. The older 'D' version of Nikon's 50mm f/1.8 can also be picked up new for around £100, or used for around £75 from a dealer.

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