First Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Test and Overview

First Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Test and Overview

Posted on • 2 Comments

I don’t usually use Nikon lenses, because I prefer to keep my setup clear, especially when using a follow focus, which I use a lot. Nikon and Canon lenses focus in different direction and to me it is confusing when trying to focus quickly and precisely , so I usually use lenses that focus anticlockwise from foreground to infinity, unlike Nikon which focus clockwise.

Saying that, I still decided to get hold of a decent Nikon lens to see what the whole fuss is about.

Well, to start with, the lens is really nicely built.  Weird thing is that my lens doesn’t look the same as all the other Nikon 50mm f/1.4s I found on internet. My one has 3 lines on the focus ring, just like Nikon 50mm 1.2 and unlike all the other 50mm f/1.4s I’ve seen, which have 2 (see the pictures below). I was told that this is actually a Nikkor 50mm/1.4 ‘K’ pre Ai version made from 1974-76 updated later with Ai kit no. 5 (that’s basicly an aperture ring required to mount the lens on Nikon cameras from 1977 to today’s models).

This particular version got also the longest focus throw of all Nikkor 50mm/1.4 as far as this list tells: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#50fast

Optically this lens is really nice, at least from my first little test I’ve done. Images are sharp, great contrast and colors. Bokeh is also one as would be expected from a f/1.4 lens.  I decided to use it in a low light situation, with a combination of a small LED light on top of the camera. By no means this was a scientific test, just sort of real like user experience and I did enjoy filming with this lens a lot. I might do another a bit calmer test video for this lens with a bit more emphases on resolution and it’s performance in natural lighting or external evening street lighting.If you are already a Nikon lens user and you don’t have a 50mm yet, this lens is definitely worth looking at.  It is nowhere as cheap as some other lenses I already tested, but it is f/1.4 and it’s Nikon which pushes the price even higher.At this point I would give it 4.5 out of 5, just because of it’s price, which is not incredible value for money.  Otherwise it would be a 5, especially if you are a Nikon lens user.If you are going to use it on a Canon DSLR, make sure to buy a decent adapter, because the cheap one I bought on Ebay has play and ruins the good feel of this lens.
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4

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2 Responses to First Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Test and Overview

  2. hello, great review! As somebody who also shoots Nikkor glass adapted onto Canon, I find that the solution to adapter play/wobbling is to slot in a tiny piece or paper or cardboard between the adapter and lens as well as the adapter to the body if needed. Also using the pro series adapter might make the play less
    hope this is helpful!

    Reply

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