Reviewed: Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

Here’s our concise review of the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G prime lens…

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

by Practical Photography |
Updated on

Verdict: This lightweight lens boasts fantastic sharpness, excellent build quality smooth bokeh. The vignetting is noticeable when shooting wide open and there is a little barrel distortion, but nothing that can’t be fixed with editing.

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G
Price: £442.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$25.00View offer
Adorama$181.00View offer
B&H Photo Video$406.95View offer
Newegg$415.21View offer

Nikon was responsible for the first 50mm f/1.4 back in 1950, and has continued to produce amazing updates ever since.

This version is no exception, with fantastic sharpness at the widest f/1.4 aperture, and the build quality, while mostly plastic, feels solid due to its compact size and weight (280g).

The lens features an SWM (Silent Wave Motor) to keep autofocusing noise down to near-silent. The AF performance is impressive too, which is needed considering f/1.4 only gives you very shallow depth-of-field. At the centre, images are extremely sharp at the widest aperture, and stay that way throughout the range.

Corner sharpness is also excellent and excels from f/4, as does vignetting, which is noticeable when shooting wide-open. There is a touch of barrel distortion, though that can easily be fixed in editing. The bokeh (out-of-focus area) is extremely pleasing and smooth, thanks to the 9 rounded diaphragm blades, and achieving background blur is very easy given the f/1.4 aperture.

Pros

Fast AF

Excellent sharpness

Bokeh

Cons

Barrel distortion

Vignetting

No weather-sealing

Want to see more lenses? We've rounded up 10 of the best wide-aperture lenses for under £1000.

Nikon AF-S 50mm F/1.4G
Price: £442.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$25.00View offer
Adorama$181.00View offer
B&H Photo Video$406.95View offer
Newegg$415.21View offer

Spec

Max aperture: f/1.4

Min aperture: f/16

Elements/groups: 8/7

Min focusing distance: 45cm

DxL: 74x54mm

Weight: 280g

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Kirk Schwarz is a tech-addicted photographer with over a decade's experience; Kirk’s used to putting new gear through extreme field testing. He's previously written for Practical Photography.

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