Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G AF-S

Nikon’s newest prime lens, the 50 f1.4 Af-S G provides a wide aperture ‘normal’ range lens for both FX and DX camera bodies. It is able to focus as closely as 1.5 feet from the front element and has a 9 blade aperture diaphragm to provide smooth out of focus highlights. With both a silent wave motor (SWM) and super integrated coatings, it provides a modern autofocus prime lens with resolution that will keep up with even the D3X.

Roger’s take: OK, call me a ‘glass is half-empty’ guy on this one. First, the 50 f1.4G is a nice lens. Its a bit sharper than the original 50 AF, and certainly more flare resistant with a bit less chromatic aberration. And it will autofocus on D40 cameras, which is a plus compared to the older one. Its rather leisurely to autofocus, but not terribly slow.

But honestly I expected a bit more sharpness wide open, and this really needs to be stopped down to f2.8 to get a really sharp image. Its not awful wide open by any means, its OK. But my usual purpose for a prime lens is to be able to shoot at wide aperture — if I’m going to shoot at f2.8 I’ll generally pick up a zoom. On a positive note its an accurate autofocusing lens with a flat depth of field and little focus shift, so you’ll get a lot of keepers.

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