Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

 
Lens Reviews / Nikon Lenses i Lab tested
50mm $412
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image of Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

Lab Test Results

  • Blur
  • Chromatic Aberration
  • Vignetting
  • Geometric Distortion
  • Blur
  • Chromatic Aberration
  • Vignetting
  • Geometric Distortion

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Buy the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

SLRgear Review
February 9, 2009
by Andrew Alexander

The 50mm prime lens has been a stalwart companion to many a photographer, as the 50mm focal range is generally thought to replicate the same field of view as seen by the eye. Many budding photographers seek to get a ''nifty fifty'' in order to use a very wide aperture and produce photos with sharp subjects and blurred, out-of-focus backgrounds.

Until the release of the subject lens, the 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S, Nikon had produced (and continues to produce) two AF-D, screw-driven 50mm lenses, with ƒ/1.8 and ƒ/1.4 maximum apertures. When Nikon elected to produce ''screw-less'' consumer camera bodies such as the D40, D40x and D60, owners of those cameras were marginalized by rendering these older-style lenses partially incompatible with the newer cameras; the lenses will mount, and function properly, except the camera cannot autofocus the lens.

The release of the 50mm ƒ/1.4G, with its built-in AF-S motor, fills this gap, giving Nikon owners a brand-loyal option that was filled by the Sigma 50mm ƒ/1.4 EX DG HSM. The Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4G is full-frame compatible; mounted on a sub-frame (DX) camera body, the lens will produce an effective field of view of 75mm.

The Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S ships with a circular-style, bayonet-mounted lens hood and accepts 58mm filters. The lens is available now for approximately $440.

Update (Feb 16, 2009): We've included some data related to focus speed testing, just scroll on down to the Autofocus section.

Update (Nov 23, 2009): We've updated the alternatives section to reflect the results of new reviews.

Update (Feb 19, 2010): We've tested another 5 copies of the Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4G lens to evaluate sample variation. Click here to see our Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4G multi-sample evaluation!

Sharpness
The 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S is a sharp lens, though not as sharp wide-open at ƒ/1.4 as we would prefer. Optimal results start at ƒ/2, and by ƒ/2.8 we see excellent results for sharpness.

On the sub-frame D200, results for image sharpness at ƒ/1.4 were slightly soft and showed slight decentering: the bottom of the frame showed 3 blur units, while the top showed almost 4. Stopping down to ƒ/2 improves this profile, with a central region of sharpness of around 1.5 blur units, and slightly softer corners of 2 blur units; an optimal setting for portraits. At ƒ/2.8, the lens is almost as sharp as it gets, with results hovering in the 1-1.5 blur unit range; according to the numbers, the lens isn't at its sharpest until ƒ/8, where it shows corner-to-corner results of 1 blur unit. Diffraction limiting starts in at ƒ/11, but even at ƒ/16 we note only 1.5 blur units across the frame, offering better performance for sharpness when fully stopped down at ƒ/16, than when fully open at ƒ/1.4.

The full-frame sensor of the D3x is much more critical of the 50mm ƒ/1.4G. With the lens set to ƒ/1.4, we still note results in the range of 4 blur units, but the image is slightly uneven in its focus. Again, stopping down to ƒ/2 improves this profile, providing a small ''pocket'' of sharpness in the center of the image (~1.5 blur units) and corner softness upwards of 5 blur units. At ƒ/2.8, the image is more uniformly sharp, but it isn't until ƒ/5.6 that I would say the lens is completely sharp from corner to corner. An important clarification on this point: between ƒ/2.8-ƒ/5.6, I would say it is hard to point to a real-world example that shows off any uneven areas of focus. After all, we are looking at variances under one blur unit. But for applications where even image sharpness is critical, stopping down to ƒ/8 would be a must with this lens.

Similarly to the D200, on the D3x diffraction limiting sets in almost imperceptibly around ƒ/11, and by ƒ/16 we see corner-to-corner results of almost 2 blur units, again, sharper fully stopped-down at ƒ/16 than wide open at ƒ/1.4.

In summary, significantly soft when used wide open at ƒ/1.4, good central sharpness at ƒ/2, and at ƒ/2.8 and smaller, it shows quite sharp results.

Chromatic Aberration
Our test results show the 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S to be well-optimized to reduce the effects of chromatic aberration, especially at the wider end of its aperture range. On the D200, by ƒ/4 the lens shows less than 6/100ths of a percent of chromatic aberration; on the D3x, with automatic chromatic aberration removal, there is hardly any CA worth noting.

However, we haven't been able to run our RAW tests with Bibble, as that software does not yet support the D3x, our full-frame test body for this lens. When it does, we'll review this section, as I suspect the D200 isn't showing problematic corners, and the D3x is correcting them (one has only to look at the sample images to see there are some notable color shifts).

Shading (''Vignetting'')
On the D200, the 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S produces slight corner shading between ƒ/1.4 and ƒ/2. At ƒ/1.4, the corners are 2/3EV darker than the center, and at ƒ/2 the corners are less than 1/4EV darker than the center. At any smaller aperture, corner shading is negligible.

It's a different story on the D3x. When used at ƒ/1.4, the corners are 1 1/3 EV darker than the center. This is fairly substantial corner shading that you can appreciate more directly by looking at the sample images. At ƒ/2, the corners are just over 3/4 EV darker than the center; this reduces to 1/3 EV by ƒ/2.8, and goes away by ƒ/4.

Distortion
The 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S shows slight barrel distortion: on the D200, +0.25% in the corners and +0.13% generally. On the D3x this distortion is slightly more pronounced, +0.5% in the corners, and +0.25% generally. Fortunately results on both of these cameras can be corrected in a fairly straightforward manner in image post-processing software.

Autofocus Operation
The 50mm ƒ/1.4G uses an AF-S designation and is relatively fast to autofocus, racking through its close-focus to infinity distance and back, in just over one second. However, it's worth noting that the implementation of the AF-S standard is not similar to that of Nikon's higher-end lenses. Where lenses such as the 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 AF-S will snap to focus with blisteringly fast speed, the 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S is comparatively sluggish.

Camera / LensTime (seconds)
D3 / 50mm ƒ/1.4D0.28
D700 / 50mm ƒ/1.4D0.28
D2x / 50mm ƒ/1.4D0.29
D200 / 50mm ƒ/1.4D0.32
F80 / 50mm ƒ/1.4D0.41
D90 / 50mm ƒ/1.4D0.42
 
Any / 50mm ƒ/1.4G0.69

Here are the results of our focus testing. For more information on the process used to obtain these results, click here. In a nutshell, this table outlines the time it took for the lens to focus from infinity to close-focus, with the lens cap on.

As expected, the 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S offers the same speed regardless of the camera body to which it is attached.

The filter ring of the lens does not rotate while focusing, and neither does the focus ring (which does on the 50mm ƒ/1.4 and ƒ/1.8 AF-D models). The 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S is also very quiet during focus operations.

Macro
The 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S is not rated as a macro lens, and with a magnification ratio of just 0.15x (1:6.8) we can see why. The lens has a minimum close-focusing distance of 45 cm (about one and a half feet).

Build Quality and Handling
The lens is well-built, with durable plastic components and a metal lens mount. A rubber gasket shrouds the lens mount, protecting the lens from dust and moisture. The lens barrel is composed of a black semi-roughed finish, and the rubber focus ring shows a ridged pattern that is easy to grip. The lens features nine rounded diaphragm blades to make up the aperture, said to produce pleasing out-of-focus results.

The lens bears a distance scale that is recessed and windowed, its markings set in feet and meters. A depth-of-field scale is also present with indicators for ƒ/11 and ƒ/16 (however, no infrared index). A switch on the side of the lens allows the user to disable autofocus operations on the lens (marked as "M/A | M").

The focus ring is 3/8'' wide. The ring turns nicely; it is well-dampened, if just slightly stiffer than necessary. There will be no accidental adjustment to manual focus, though this is not to say that the ring is by any means difficult to turn. It just lacks the silky smoothness of higher-end lenses. It takes about 180 degrees of rotation for the focus ring to turn throughout its range of close-focus to infinity distance. There are no hard stops at either close-focus or infinity, though there is a slight increase in resistance to let you know you've reached a limit. The lens will focus slightly past infinity.

It's worth noting that the front lens element does move slightly during focusing operations, but the lens housing forms an effective shroud and thus the overall exterior dimension of the lens does not change.

The lens ships with the HB-47 lens hood, a small circular-style bayonet-mounted hood that adds 1 1/4 inches to the lens' overall length when mounted. The lens reverses for storage on the lens.

We don't usually test for flare, but in casual testing with the lens we did note it was fairly difficult to induce flare without shooting directly into the sun. The design of the lens includes a substantial shroud, protecting the lens from veiling flare. In fact, we couldn't detect much of a difference in image quality with or without the lens hood attached. Without a standardized test however, it's best to take those results with a healthy grain of salt.

Alternatives

Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4D AF Nikkor ~$340
On paper these lenses are quite similar, though the new lens uses 9 rounded diaphragm blades compared to this lens' standard 7. The 50mm AF-D uses 52mm filters instead of 58mm. Optically, the results for sharpness CA, distortion and vignetting are similar between the two lenses, though our tests have shown the AF-D version to autofocus much more quickly.

Sigma 50mm ƒ/1.4 EX DG HSM ~$490
Mounted on a sub-frame (APS-C) dSLR, the Sigma 50mm ƒ/1.4 shows slightly sharper performance than the Nikon when used wide open; stopped down, the Nikon overtakes it for maximum sharpness. When used on a full-frame dSLR, the Sigma shows sharper central performance, matched with off-the charts corner softness. Which is better? That's in the eye of the beholder. Results for CA and distortion are similar; light falloff is a bit more noticeable on the Sigma 50mm, especially on a full-frame body. The price tag on the Sigma is also a bit more significant.It's a substantially different lens: twice as heavy, significantly larger, taking 77mm filters instead of 58mm.

Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF Nikkor ~$120
The 50mm ƒ/1.8 is comparable to the new 50mm ƒ/1.4G in terms of sharpness - the results are neck and neck, though again, we have only tested the 50mm ƒ/1.8 on the D200. The 50mm ƒ/1.8 shows slightly more CA, corner shading is about the same, but the 50mm ƒ/1.8 has virtually no distortion.

Nikon 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor ~$199
With a 52mm equivalency on DX camera bodies, and a much more approachable price point for D40 / D60 owners, this lens may be just what they're looking for. The lens is very similar to the 50mm f/1.4 in terms of sharpness, CA and light falloff, though the 35mm focal length presents a bit more barrel distortion.

Conclusion
The Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S tested well in our labs, marred only by soft results with significant corner shading when set to its widest aperture. Set to ƒ/2 it makes a nice portrait lens - sharp center, soft corners - and by ƒ/2.8 it's a decently sharp lens across the image. We were a bit surprised by the slower performance for autofocus, leading us to wonder what target audience Nikon is aiming for. The professional crowd, equipped with camera bodies that support the 50mm AF-D screw-driven lenses don't need the AF-S standard in the same way that screw-less bodies like the D40/D60 do.

Whether or not you need the new 50mm ƒ/1.4G comes down to a few factors:

  1. The new 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S is much quieter during focus operations than the AF-D, making it much more subtle.
  2. Then again, the older 50mm ƒ/1.4 AF-D is much faster at autofocusing, when mounted on a pro body.
  3. But - the new 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S has a weather-sealing gasket.

Not necessarily an easy decision!

In some ways, the decision to buy or not to buy is simple: if you have a D40, D40x or D60, and you want a 50mm lens that autofocuses, you want this lens or the Sigma 50mm ƒ/1.4 HSM. Or, if you just want the equivalent of 50mm, you may be interested in the Nikon 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX. But shooters currently using either of Nikon's 50mm AF-D lenses may want to do some comparison shooting before deciding to trade up.

Sample Photos

The VFA target should give you a good idea of sharpness in the center and corners, as well as some idea of the extent of barrel or pincushion distortion and chromatic aberration, while the Still Life subject may help in judging contrast and color. We shoot both images using the default JPEG settings and manual white balance of our test bodies, so the images should be quite consistent from lens to lens.

As appropriate, we shoot these with both full-frame and sub-frame bodies, at a range of focal lengths, and at both maximum aperture and ƒ/8. For the ''VFA'' target (the viewfinder accuracy target from Imaging Resource), we also provide sample crops from the center and upper-left corner of each shot, so you can quickly get a sense of relative sharpness, without having to download and inspect the full-res images. To avoid space limitations with the layout of our review pages, indexes to the test shots launch in separate windows.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor User Reviews

8.6/10 average of 17 review(s) Build Quality 8.8/10 Image Quality 8.9/10
  • 8 out of 10 points and recommended by desmobob (8 reviews)
    Fast. Uniform sharpness across the frame as it's stopped down just a bit. Pleasing IQ and nice bokeh. Silent autofocus.
    Not quite as sharp when shot at wider apertures but it takes some very close pixel-peeping to see that.

    I have seven different Nikkor 50mm lenses; three MF and three AF versions, f/1.2 through f/2. I think they're all very nice and each has it's stronger areas and maybe some weaker points.

    The f/1.8G really impressed me and I was hoping for the f/1.4G to do the same, but it hasn't really done that so far. I guess what I mean is that it performs as well as I expected, where the f/1.8G surprised me by performing better than expected considering its budget price.

    It's certainly a nice lens and I could be very happy with it being my only 50mm Nikkor. It might be the one that I'd say is the most consistent overall performer.

    I really hope for Nikon to update/improve the 50mm F mount f/1.4 lens one more time, but I fear it won't happen with the Z mount stuff moving to the forefront.

    reviewed April 7th, 2022 (purchased for $347)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by photospots (5 reviews)
    very sharp, great bokeh
    could have better autofocus speed

    A very sharp lens which is very sharp and creates great bokeh if you use it as a portrait lens or other places where bokeh is important.

    But you should consider buying the 50mm 1.8g which is cheaper, but has almost the same picture quality.

    http://www.photospots.dk/2012/10/buyers-guide-to-nikon-50mm-lenses.html

    reviewed October 22nd, 2012 (purchased for $400)
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by lalitjee (13 reviews)
    sharp,compact size,fast focus.
    not any

    i totally enjoy the image quality from this lens,

    reviewed November 26th, 2011
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by maskinmoller (6 reviews)
    sharpness, build quality, AF precision
    AF a little slower than the old version

    Love this lens for generel photography and as a short portrait lens. AF is precise could be faster. Sharpness is great over the whole frame stopped down a bit and in the center it's quite good wide open too.

    reviewed March 16th, 2011
  • 3 out of 10 points and not recommended by Perry Rhodan (42 reviews)
    Cheap, sharp, compact, quick, light.
    CA horrendous on 3 copies, AF lacking in speed and precision

    Very bad CA. Uncontrollable distortions. Very inconsistent up to 2.8. Tested 3 copies, all unusable on the D7k and D90. Really the 50 1.8 afs is leaps and bounds better.

    reviewed January 24th, 2011 (purchased for $300)
  • 7 out of 10 points and not recommended by colinjames (8 reviews)
    Sharp from f2 & beyond across the frame
    Contra lighting a huge obstacle, hunts

    This was the 4th 50mm I've owned from Nikon - I'm giving up on this focal length unless a future 50mm 1.2 is done right or a Sigma 50mm 1.4 is given to me. The most annoying part about owning this lens is its propensity to hunt. It's af-s is a joke. Worse than a funky 3rd party macro. IQ is superb when it takes pictures. Shot on D700 - I had this lens since it came out and sold a couple months ago and I'll never miss it. I played with 3 samples at the camera store so I feel I got the best (minor variation on this particular lens I believe). This one showed apparent aperture blades in oof at 2.8 only - all other apertures were nice and round. C'mon! LOca's weren't too bad in its defense...

    reviewed November 10th, 2010 (purchased for $400)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by Tony305 (2 reviews)
    good size on D90

    Bought it used.
    Very happy with it, for low light.

    reviewed October 29th, 2010 (purchased for $370)
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by andre_ (31 reviews)
    outstanding bokeh, no flare, sharp from f1.4
    AF slow, big

    I've shifted to this new model after a long experience with two 50mm f1.4 AF-D.

    Compared to them, the AF-S is more definited til f2.8, and present no flare (considering the large aperture) when spot lights are in the frame.

    The bokeh (already at the top in the former model) is outstanding, now!

    The linearity is better than in the AF-D, even at f1.4, without any coma on the corners.

    Color rendition is very close to the old lenses, lacking the nano-crystal coat that make the new zooms hypersaturated.

    The only cons is the AF.
    Precise, as well as the former AF-D, the AF speed is almost the same (and sometime the impression is that's too slow).

    But, actually, it is never a real problem in the "real life".
    a_

    reviewed July 25th, 2010 (purchased for $400)
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by moose (21 reviews)
    fast and accurate high resolution lens

    Nikon professional user.

    On the D300 and D200 this lens is superb. Fast to focus and very very sharp.

    This is a high resolution 50mm lens that every Nikon photographer will want to own.

    reviewed July 3rd, 2010 (purchased for $288)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by Cliff Beard (12 reviews)
    Fast, compact, light, Great image quality on full and crop frame
    Slow AF, slightly soft and lacking in contrast wide open

    This is a classic all-rounder on full frame and a short portrait lens on crop frame. I find it far more useful on full frame, where it can be put to almost any use and has to be the most versatile lens overall.

    In conjunction with the high ISO capability of modern bodies its low-light potential is fantastic and I find that subject isolation and smooth bokeh can be achieved very easily.

    As with all fast primes, wide open it lacks a bit of contrast and sharpness outside the centre, but stopping down to even F1.8 sees an improvement and by F2 its really good. Great for portraits at F2 to 2.8. Stopped down to F4 and smaller its bitingly sharp across the frame and doesn't seem to suffer significantly from diffraction softness at F16.

    The SWM is quiet and accurate though AF is a bit slow...not an issue with real-world shooting with this lens. The MF ring is surprisingly good for low light and close up work. It even has a focus distance scale.

    In real world situations I don't find the vignetting at widest apertures an issue, nor the slight CA you see either side of the focal plane when test shooting text on paper for example.

    Overall, its a similar story to the 35mm F1.8...a great performing and top value lens with immense versatility. If I had only one lens, this would be it.

    reviewed September 28th, 2009
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by jake (8 reviews)

    super lens for this money

    reviewed August 9th, 2009
  • 8 out of 10 points and recommended by VictorN_1212 (3 reviews)
    small and light, sharp
    a little prone to ca as i would expect

    i got this lens a couple of days ago and mounted it on my D60. makes for a very light combo. overall image is quite good... very sharp when stopped down to 2.8 and sharpness peaks at around 5.6, imho.

    highly recommended for a dx - short portrait lens.

    reviewed July 16th, 2009
  • 6 out of 10 points and not recommended by Toby (6 reviews)
    The (slow) autofocus will work also on cameras not supporting AF-D
    Autofocus too slow, image quality average, no image stabilizer

    Considering that this is a prime, the sharpness is rather average (on my D300). It is certainly not to complain about, but also nothing to get excited about. E.g. only at f2.8 (or smaller) the sharpness matches my 16-85 DX VRII set at f4. I would have expected a much better performance from a prime as compared to a zoom lens.

    Build quality seems to be ok and is certainly better than the one of my 16-85 VRII.

    I have to agree with the test: The autofocus is really slow! If you use the lens in theaters or concerts, the slow focus will make you miss some good shots. Again, the 16-85 (or the brillant 70-300 4.5-5.6 VRII) show how it can be done.

    I would rather opt for the 1.4 AF-D, if I were not expecting that Nikon will slowly phase out camera bodies supporting the AF-D system.

    Following the first posting of my review I got so fed up with the slow AF that I finally exchanged the lens for an AF-D.

    I was absolutely annoyed by the slow autofocus of the AF-S, I missed too many good picture opportunities.

    Now, the autofocus of the 1.4 /50 AF-D is about twice as fast on my D300 body.

    Large aperture lenses like the 1.4/50 are being bought for low light portrait/people photography. In such situations you just need to be quick.

    For a lens of this size, you would expect an VR, but it is bulky even without it. The AF-D is only about two thirds of the size and currently you can get it as a real bargain.

    The image quality of the AF-D may be slightly better, but it does not appear to make a practical difference.

    reviewed June 5th, 2009 (purchased for $475)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by ktwse (11 reviews)
    Great IQ, fairly compact
    Slow AF, poor bokeh

    Stopped down to f/1.8 this lens truly delivers, across the frame, on an FX camera. But it's still quite useful at max aperture, delivering good center sharpness and decent enough corner sharpness. It's also a lot of FUN to use, and the size is just perfect on a D700. The Sigma EX 50/1.4 might be slightly better optically but is also twice as large and more expensive. My choice would be this one.

    The AF can be a bit slow, most likely because of the long travel between infinity and the closest focusing distance, and the bokeh is not all that great. Apart from that, this is a brilliant lens.

    reviewed March 4th, 2009 (purchased for $400)
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by igorisk (1 reviews)
    image quality
    sometimes slow focus

    image quality is excellent, very satisfied

    reviewed February 2nd, 2009 (purchased for $473)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by Thoppa (17 reviews)
    Quality is excellent
    AF-S has not made a significant AF speed improvement.

    This is an ideal short portrait lens on DX. If you don't mind the price then you won't be disappointed.

    I have no real complaints, however, the close focus distance could be better and the AF speed is not hugely better than AF-D, but it does seem to track a subject better in AF-C than the AF-D does.

    I quite disagree with the previous poster about bokeh and I'm not the only one who does :

    http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html

    However, I quite agree about a new AF-S 35mm f1.8 - yes please !!

    reviewed December 15th, 2008 (purchased for $440)
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by Canon-Nikon-user (14 reviews)
    good IQ , with very high resolution , good wideopen perf, almost no CA.
    a bit slow AF, harsh bokeh

    on my D300 , it is slower to focus than my 35f2D or 85f1.8D, but on a D80 or 90 , it is a bit faster lens than these screw-driven primes.

    it is sharp wide open , it is very bright with good contrast , and I see almost no CA at atll.

    bokeh is not so good a bit harsh compared to the excellent Sigma , but for my use candid street shots , I think it is good enough and more importantly, I love the size of it , it is very inconspicuous and makes my D300 look very compact , now I go out with my D300 withou hesitation.

    this is what I was waiting for for a long time , thanks Nikon , this time you got it.

    now, you should design an AF-S35f1.8G and AF-S85f1.8G, no need for a huge f1.4 prime , but make it small and inconspicuous with high resolving power like this one or the AF-S60f2.8G, if the 60 was f1.8G ,it would be the perfect lens for me though.

    reviewed December 10th, 2008 (purchased for $350)