Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Ai-s. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd

Barrel
Metal

Weight
8.8 oz (250g)

Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.

Close Focus
1.5 feet (0.45 meters).

Filter Threads
52mm, Metal

Aperture Ring
Metal.

Diaphragm
7 blades stopping down to f/16.

Mount
Nikon Ai-s Metal Mount.

Made in
Japan

 

 

Sharpness
f/1.4 This lens has some sharpness wide open but there is a large amount of spherical aberration and coma causing the lens to look soft and hazy with a fair bit of chromatic aberration.
f/1.6 Immediately there is a huge jump just stopping it down a touch. The lens sharpens up with more contrast and a huge drop in spherical aberration but still has quite a bit of chromatic aberration.
f/2 Sharpens up a lot with great contrast with almost no coma or spherical aberration but there is still a fair amount of chromatic aberration.
f/2.8: Very sharp with fantastic contrast and almost no chromatic aberrations.
f/3.5: Sharper yet.
f/4: Sharper yet.
f/8: Sharper yet.

Vignetting

There is quite a bit of vignetting at f/1.4 and begins clearing at f/2 and f/2.8 and nearly gone by f/3.5.

Bokeh

Very nice and not too distracting. Would make a great portrait lens.

 

 

Distortion

This lens has quite a bit of barrel distortion but is common for f/1.4 lenses.

Recommendations
On MF Camera
Optics:          ★ ★ ★ ★
Mechanics:   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Usefulness:   ★ ★ ★ ★
Availability:    ★ ★ ★ ★
Overall:          ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

On AF Camera
Ergonomics:  ★ ★ ★ ★
Overall:          ★ ★ ★ ★
Out of 5

This lens is a bargain nowadays, and if you want one go grab one! They are easy to find, and even stopping down to f/1.6 gives amazing results. The biggest drawback with the lens is that it wants to hold onto the chromatic aberration all they way to f/2.8, but this is still better then most 50mm’s.

This lens is built great, easy to use, and very small and light. I carry one of these in my pocket when I want to have 2 lenses with me.

If you don’t mind manual focus with a little chromatic aberration and distortion then this lens is a crazy good deal. Definitely hunt this lens down!

 

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My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!

Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd