Figuring out the Nikon 58/1.4G

[Frankly]

I'm thinking about picking up this lens in spite of the mixed reviews. The last ~50mm I liked was the Zeiss Milvus, no complaints other than weight and being manual focus. I really want auto-focus and a little less metal and more plastic is OK by me.

But please, tell me that at f/5.6 the more expensive Nikkor will be just as good for landscape as the Milvus? Or not and save me the hassle.

I understand wide open that focusing may be hit or miss and I'm puzzled why they introduced the lens as a G rather than E model. (Maybe I have the introduction dates wrong and the E wasn't a thing yet.)

I'd probably do some wide open portraiture with it too but since you tend to center focus the majority of those shots I suspect it should be OK.

I've already tried the other 50mm Nikkors, every one since 1973. As well as the Sigma Art (+18 focus correction, lol).

I really wish Nikon would do some slower but well corrected primes in a pancake style, I'd have no problem living with a 50/2.8E for most things.

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

Have you checked the 58mm thread over at FM? It's a great lens, but it's really designed for people photos. At f/5.6 I suppose it's sharp enough for anything though.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1253369

 

[Photon42]

I bought the lens some years back and still have it :grin: I have no idea whether it is as sharp as a Milvus, but I do have a 1.4 Nokton (Manual Focus), and I would think the Voigtländer and the Nikkor are comparable in terms of sharpness. My (adjusted) Nikkor is bang on at f 1.4. No sharpness/AF issues whatsoever. It comes with a lens shade, but with the recessed built the shade in my eyes is not really needed.

The internet does amplify negative and positive things. I remember me pondering about the 1.1/50 from Voigtländer for my old M9 - so many mixed reviews. Turns out to be a great lens (once properly adjusted).

 

[glenerrolrd]

The Nikon 58/1.4 was designed as a people lens . It has high resolution but medium contrast ....thus rendering skins tones in a pleasing aesthetic . Colors are somewhat softer and thus flattering to imperfections . Great lens for weddings ,events ,portraits etc where managing contrast can be important . A soft pleasing bokeh wide open makes this a very attractive lens . Stopping this lens down to 5.6 or smaller robs it of the character most buy it for....its becomes a excellent 50 but northing very special at smaller apertures .

Not a lens most would pick for landscape where higher contrast ,higher color saturation is often used to give the photograph some pop . Stick to Zeiss for landscape . You want to use LV for focus and smaller apertures to extend depth of field . If you expect those brilliant high lights and deep blue sky ...Zeiss is the way to go .

As a travel lens really depends on what aesthetic you prefer . You want brilliant fall foliage ...Zeiss....you want subtle winter fog ...maybe the Nikon .

 

[Frankly]

Thanks! Hmm more ways to spend money harmph