Nikon 58mm f/1.4G lens review: A pricey new prime for your kit?
posted Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 12:13 PM EDT
We've just posted our Nikon 58mm f/1.4G lens review, and confess that this lens has left us stratching our heads a little. The Nikon 58mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S Nikkor lens is Nikon's latest fast prime lens and the spiritual successor to the famed Nikon 58mm ƒ/1.2 Nikkor Noct classic Ai manual focus lens. Boasting a slightly slower ƒ/1.4 aperture than its Noct "predecessor," it does keep the same focal length and lens element layout. This new 58mm lens is the latest addition to Nikon's growing collection of normal focal length prime lenses, joining the ranks amongst two pairs of 50mm ƒ/1.4 and 50mm ƒ/1.8 lenses -- both D and G model variants -- and even more 50mm lenses if you count the new special edition 50mm lens for the Nikon Df and a 50mm ƒ/1.4 full-manual focus lens.
A list price of $1,700 means this will be a significant investment for anyone buying it. (Other than the sports star/investment banker crowd, at least.) Is it worth it? Check out our review for what we found, and decide for yourself. (Note that the benefits of Nikon's Nano Crystal Coating may add something to the value equation; we're waiting for the sun to finally reappear here in Atlanta, so we can do some side by sides with less expensive ~50mm optics, to see how flare and micro-contrast stack up.)
Jump on over to SLRgear to read our full Nikon 58mm f/1.4G lens review to see our test results and read our final verdict.
The Nikon 58mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S Nikkor is currently available and ships with front and rear caps, lens hood and a soft case for around $1,700, and can be ordered from Adorama, B&H or Amazon. By purchasing this lens, or any other product, at one of our trusted affiliates, you help keep these reviews coming!
In the meantime, check out some sample photos below taken by Rob, our lens specialist, with the lens mounted on the Nikon D800E. You can view more sample photos, plus download the full-resolution files, over at our Flickr page.
