Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D Autofocus Lens

In addition to backwards compatibility with AI models of the past, what else does this fast yet affordable prime offer? Find out in the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D review

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  Bargain price

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  Non-IF focusing

Anyone reading this review shortly after that of the Canon EF 50mm F.4 USM will surely be experiencing an uncanny sense of deja vu; the two lenses' characteristics and performance are remarkably similar, as we might expect from designs of similar vintage and optical formula from two of the leading...

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  Excellent image quality when stopped down, Essentially no lateral chromatic aberration

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  Distinctly soft at wider apertures, Bokeh chromatic aberration, most visible at wide apertures, Broad blue-coloured halation at wide apertures, Vignetting at wide apertures on full frame (essentially disappears by F2.8)

Despite the aging design of the lens, AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D remains a pretty strong contender in the world of 50mm primes. The lens is not without weaknesses - image performance at wider apertures, especially f/1.4 leaves quite a bit of room for improvement.

Handling and features This standard 50mm prime lens is a popular used buy, but still available new for a reasonable discount over Nikon's latest 50mm f/1.4G. New it can be picked up for around £240, or £150 or less if buying used.

Despite using a 15-year-old optical formula, the lens still stands up to scrutiny: while it's not tack-sharp when used wide-open, it's still quite good, and stopped down to Æ’/2.8 image quality is excellent. At Æ’/8, it's as sharp as sharp gets.

If having a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and saving pennies are both important then the older 50mm f/1.4D makes a compelling case for buying used. For the sake of around £30, if buying new then the updated lens will probably make more sense.

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  Good sharpness in the centre at maximum aperture, Outstanding sharpness when stopped down, A good value used buy, Decent enough build quality

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  Screw-driven focus, Soft with falloff at f/1.4, Basic design lacks luxuries of more modern lenses

The summary of this lens’s properties can’t be different from those of its competitors because the results are more or less the same. The final assessment is by all means positive despite several slip-ups, listed in the cons.

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  solid, small and physically light barrel at the same time,, excellent image quality from f/2.0,, chromatic aberration sensibly corrected,, low astigmatism,, good autofocus work,

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  noticeably „soapy” image by f/1.4,, significant coma,, work against bright light could have been better,

Normal primes have a long standing reputation of high quality for an affordable price and the Nikkor AF-D 50 makes no exception to this rule. The lens is able to deliver very sharp images, at least slightly stopped down.

Similar to its cousin (AF 50mm f/1.8 D) the Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4 D is a very good performer. At f/1.4 the contrast is a little on the low side and the borders may be a little soft but from f/2.8 & up the performance is really superb.

As a pro I have owned a couple of the new AFS-50mm 1.4s and this older model out does them all. Super sharp at all f stops. Yeah, the auto focus is louder than the new model and the focus ring rotates. Focus is just as fast and accurate. I use on a Nikon D810 and get outstanding results, always.

I am using this on my F100. The focus is very fast and very accurate. The bokeh is creamy and not distracting. I especially love this lens with traditional black-and-white films. The graininess works with the bokeh to produce very interesting photos.

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  Rugged, Fast / accurate auto-focus, Strong Construction, Lightweight, Nice Bokeh

Been using it for a while nice lensI'd prefer this over the G version anyday

I purchased this lens new. It was very soft from wide open to F8. Usable from 11 to 16. Maybe I had a bad copy but this was the worst Nikon lens I ever owned. Returned it within days. This copy was made in China. I don't know if that makes a difference in the build/optical quality.

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  has an aperture ring

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  soft, soft soft

I LIKE THE LENS FOR MULTIPLE REASONS. IRECOMEND A LENSE FILTER TO PROTECT THE LENS. i THINK IS PURPOSE IS GOOD FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SHOTS, PORTRAINTS, MOVEMENT AND MUCH MORE.

50mm f/1.4 D Nikkor Lens. I have had this lens for some time now and it is very sharp and fast. Fabulous for low light shooting. A must for every photographer.

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  Sharp and very fast, great for low light shooting

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  None!

This lens is an absolut must for any Nikon photographer. It's sharp as hell, it's ok cheap and the DOF is really outstanding. This lens purpose best with portraits and food photography. It's also completely ideal for low-light situations. If you can't afford the 85mm 1.8, this is the way to go.

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  Fast, Razor sharp (specially at f/4), Amazing DOF, Lightweight and Compact (can be fitted into a pocket), Price., A MUST for any Nikon photographer.

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  Slightly soft contrast at f/1.4 but not really noticeable. Could be bigger in size, but whatever...

An excellent light weight walk around utility lens for casual shooting with a D750. Purchased this lens to use while my Nikon f/1.4G was sent to Nikon for fix autofocus problems. For my causal shooting style performance of the 1.4G is not as good as the 1.4D.