Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI 50mm
The bright f/1.4 maximum aperture and Silent Wave Motor deliver strong low-light performance and fast, quiet autofocus on Nikon F-mount bodies. Its compact 280g build and 9-blade diaphragm produce a pleasing, rounded bokeh for subject isolation without adding bulk. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers who need a lightweight prime with shallow depth-of-field control.
概要
The 30-Second Version
Nikon's native Z 50mm f/1.4 is an affordable, lightweight prime with fast, quiet autofocus. Optical quality is middling, especially wide open, but at the lowest street price of around $497 it's a steal. For tack-sharp corners or video stabilization, look to the pricier S-line. Otherwise, this is the everyday fast-fifty most Z shooters have been waiting for.
Pros & Cons
長所
- Bright f/1.4 aperture at a price way below S-line glass 97th
- Fast, quiet STM autofocus that's great for stills and video 97th
- Weather sealing lets you shoot in light rain without worry 96th
- Compact 422g build is easy to carry all day 91st
- Smooth bokeh separation better than adapted f/1.8 lenses
短所
- No optical stabilization, so handheld video suffers
- Sharpness drops noticeably wide open, especially at the edges
- Bokeh is average and can look busy with complex backgrounds
- Min focus of 37cm is too long for close-up detail work
- Price swings wildly; at the high end it competes with sharper options
オーナーの声
The Word on the Street
購入者の評価が時間とともにどう変化したか
独自顧客が実際にレビューを書いた時期に基づいています。発売当初の高評価が続いたかどうかがわかります。
- Q2 2026100/100
Buyers praise the lens for beautiful bokeh, sharp portraits, and excellent low-light performance. It is considered a worthwhile upgrade from the 1.8 version.
- Beautiful bokeh and portrait quality
- Excellent low-light performance
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great value as an upgrade from kit lens
- Q3 202595/100
Buyers praised the lens for its value, compact size, and bokeh quality, noting it as a worthy upgrade from the f/1.8.
- Excellent value for money, with great bokeh and character.
- Compact and light design, ideal for street photography.
- Soft corners and vignette at f/1.4, but manageable in post.
- Fast delivery and perfect condition upon arrival.
- Q1 202550/100
Mixed reviews: some praise value and sharpness, others report poor quality and color issues.
- Good value and price point for a normal lens.
- Sharp with good autofocus and CA control.
- Poor quality and color, a bad investment.
- High quality, easy to use, lightweight for portraits.
- Q4 202465/100
Buyers praised the lens as affordable, lightweight, and capable of excellent images, though some noted plasticky build and potential focusing noise for video.
- Affordable and lightweight, with satisfying bokeh and sharp images.
- Plasticky build quality noted, but acceptable given the low price.
- Potential focusing noise during video recording, may affect on-camera audio.
- Quick autofocus and excellent portrait photo quality with Z6III.
- Q2 202250/100
Buyers praised the lens for video and value, but reported autofocus inaccuracy and chromatic aberration.
- Good for instructional videos and RAW photography with Nikon D7200.
- Impressive value for the price, with pleasing bokeh.
- Autofocus often fails to make selected point sharp.
- Green and purple haze (chromatic aberration) around objects.
- Q1 202283/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, low-light performance, and compatibility across Nikon bodies. One review was mistakenly rated 0 stars but was positive.
- Sharp image quality and excellent low-light performance.
- Compatible with various Nikon DSLR and mirrorless bodies.
- Lightweight and compact prime lens design.
- Great value and holds its own against third-party lenses.
- Q4 202163/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, bokeh, and lightweight design, but noted autofocus could be faster and more accurate.
- Sharpness and bokeh quality are highly praised.
- Autofocus is functional but considered dated and could be improved.
- Lightweight and fast performance appreciated.
- One review mentions needing to step down aperture for sharp focus.
- Q1 2021100/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, low-light performance, and value, with one calling it a favorite.
- Excellent sharpness and image quality
- Great for low-light indoor photography
- Good value, even refurbished
- Highly recommended, a favorite lens
- Q3 2020100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, speed, and value, with one noting the included cleaning kit as a bonus.
- Lens is extremely sharp and produces crystal clear images.
- Fast aperture and performance, especially wide open.
- Excellent value for the price, with a useful cleaning kit.
- Highly recommended as a great 50mm lens for any bag.
- Q2 202085/100
Buyers praised the lens for its build, bokeh, and low-light performance, though one found it only satisfactory compared to other f/1.4 lenses and sold it.
- Great build quality, bokeh, and versatility for everyday use.
- Sharp and fast, works well in low light.
- One user found it only OK wide open compared to other fast 50s.
- One reviewer sold it for a Nikon 50mm f/1.8, which they preferred.
- Q1 202082/100
Buyers praised the lens for being lightweight, affordable, and producing sharp images with creamy bokeh. Some noted softness at wide apertures and lack of VR for low light.
- Lightweight, compact, and affordable lens praised for portability and value.
- Sharp images and creamy bokeh, especially stopped down or for shallow depth of field.
- Softness at f1.4-2.8; some prefer Nikon f1.8 for better image quality.
- No VR, slow and noisy autofocus, hunts in low light; limits general use.
- Q4 201983/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, bokeh, and low-light performance, with most highly recommending it.
- Excellent sharpness and bokeh, especially for portraits and low light.
- Fast and responsive autofocus, suitable for daily use.
- Great build quality and value, highly recommended by users.
- One review noted it's a gift, with no detailed feedback on performance.
- Q2 201986/100
Buyers praised the lens for low-light performance, sharpness, and versatility, though one reviewer found it overpriced compared to the f/1.8G model.
- Excellent low-light and available light performance with shallow depth of field.
- Sharp, crisp images, especially for night sky and portrait photography.
- Versatile but some find it overpriced vs. Nikon's 50mm f/1.8G, with softness at f/1.4.
- One reviewer noted soft corners and less sharpness at f/1.4 compared to f/1.8G.
- Q1 2019100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, low-light performance, fast autofocus, and great value. It was described as versatile and ideal for full-frame cameras.
- Excellent low-light performance and sharpness, especially for night photography.
- Great value for the price, outperforming more expensive alternatives.
- Fast and quiet autofocus, suitable for quick shooting.
- Compact and lightweight design, easy to carry and use.
- Q4 201880/100
Buyers praised the lens's bokeh and value, but some noted focus sharpness issues compared to a cheaper 50mm 1.8G.
- Great bokeh and value for portraits and low light.
- Sharpness concerns; some found it less sharp than the 50mm 1.8G.
- Excellent service and fast delivery from Adorama.
- Potential unit variability in sharpness reported.
- Q3 201892/100
Buyers praise this 50mm f/1.4 as a sharp, fast, versatile prime for portraits and low light, though one notes the Sigma 35mm is sharper.
- Sharp, fast f/1.4 aperture with excellent low-light performance and bokeh.
- Versatile for portraits, walk-around, and general use on both DX and FX cameras.
- Great build quality and value compared to the cheaper f/1.8 version.
- One reviewer finds Sigma 35mm sharper, but notes the Nikon is more affordable.
- Q2 2018100/100
Buyers praised the lens as excellent for portraits on DX cameras, sharp, with beautiful bokeh, and a great value.
- Excellent portrait lens on DX format, sharp with beautiful bokeh.
- Great value and price compared to more expensive f/1.2 lenses.
- Compact, lightweight, and first-rate prime lens.
- Typical excellent service and great deal.
- Q1 2018100/100
Buyers in Q1 2018 praised the lens for sharpness, low-light performance, and portability, ideal for portraits and family photos.
- Sharp image quality, even at wide apertures like F1.4.
- Excellent low-light performance, allowing flash-free indoor shots.
- Compact and lightweight, easy to carry for everyday use.
- Autofocus not the fastest, but adequate with pre-focusing.
- Q4 201783/100
Buyers praised sharpness, speed, and low-light performance, but one reported soft photos compared to a f/1.8 lens.
- Sharpness and clarity praised by most buyers.
- Fast autofocus and speed appreciated.
- Good low-light performance for moving subjects.
- One buyer found photos too soft versus a f/1.8 lens.
- Q3 2017100/100
All reviews in Q3 2017 are 5-star, praising the lens for sharpness, bokeh, low-light performance, and value. Buyers recommend it for portraits and full-frame cameras.
- Sharpness and image quality consistently praised across reviews.
- Excellent for portraits and low-light photography with great bokeh.
- Good value, especially with bundle deals or rebates.
- Positive experience with Adorama service and fast delivery.
- Q2 201782/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, bokeh, and low-light performance, but noted softness at f/1.4 and focus reliability issues.
- Sharpness and bokeh quality highly praised, especially at f/2.0 and above.
- Softness at f/1.4 and inconsistent focus at that aperture noted.
- Excellent low-light performance and pleasant bokeh.
- Works well as a portrait lens, especially on crop sensor cameras.
日付のある顧客レビュー 139 件を暦四半期ごとに集計しています。期間別の分析は英語です。
実証データ
Performance
Benchmark numbers tell a story of peaks and valleys. The standout here is autofocus, sitting in the 87th percentile. That's one of the best on the market for a non-exotic prime, and it shows. In real use, the STM motor locks on quickly and stays locked, even in dim interiors where other lenses hunt. It's not quite the silent wave of an S-line lens, but for video shooters, it's quiet enough that you won't hear it in the clip unless you're using the onboard mic in a dead silent room.
Optically, the lens lands in the 43rd percentile, which is solid but nothing to brag about. Wide open at f/1.4, there's a pleasant softness and some loss of contrast in the corners, but the center holds up well for portraits. Stop down to f/2.8 and things crisp up nicely across the frame. Bokeh sits right at the 50th percentile, middle of the pack. It's smooth but not particularly memorable, and the 18-blade diaphragm doesn't work miracles with busy backgrounds. If you're used to the buttery separation of a high-end 85mm, you might find this a bit ordinary. But for the price, it's more than acceptable.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 8 |
| Groups | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 50 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
vs Competition
The obvious rival is Nikon's own Z 50mm f/1.8 S. That lens is optically superior, with sharper corners, better coatings, and that green S badge that signals the best Nikon can do. But it maxes out at f/1.8, so you lose that extra two-thirds of a stop of light and the slightly shallower depth of field. If you're a pixel-peeper or a landscape shooter who demands edge-to-edge clarity, the S-line is the clear winner. But for portrait shooters who want more background separation on a budget, this f/1.4 makes a strong case, especially if you find it at a deep discount.
Another path is manual focus glass from companies like TTArtisan or 7artisans. A TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 for Z-mount can be had for under $200, and it's surprisingly decent. But you give up autofocus, weather sealing, and any kind of electronic communication with the body. That's a non-starter for event shooters or anyone who values quick capture. This Nikkor splits the difference beautifully: it's cheaper than the S-line, but autofocus keeps it practical in a way that cheap manual primes just aren't.
Lately the competitive field has gotten more crowded. The Meike MIX Series 85mm f/1.4 II has been turning heads as a budget portrait option, and the Yongnuo YN23mm F1.4S DA DSM is pulling in wide-angle shooters who want speed on the cheap. Neither is a direct 50mm rival, but they're all fighting for the same "affordable fast prime" dollars. If you're open to a different focal length, those are worth a look. For a true 50mm with native Z autofocus, though, this Nikkor still sits in a sweet spot that's hard to match.
| Spec | Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI 50mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Viltrox AF 9mm F2.8 XF | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 9mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 280 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 175 | 326 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | STM | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| 製品 | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | ユーザー評価 | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI 50mm | 14.5 | 97.1 | 86.3 | 95.8 | 55.2 | 97.2 | 64.1 | 33.6 | 90.8 | 80.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 80.7 | 64.1 | 84 | 96.6 | 68.8 | 91 | 97.9 | 52.3 | 80.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.3 | 84.2 | 85.4 | 89.9 | 81.7 | 86.2 | 80.8 | 78.7 | 90.8 | 35 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 54.2 | 84.2 | 84.6 | 49.1 | 86 | 86.2 | 91 | 80.7 | 86.4 | 96.7 |
| Viltrox AF 9mm F2.8 XF Compare | 85.3 | 84.2 | 87.2 | 89.4 | 84.6 | 86.2 | 45.4 | 33.6 | 86.4 | 80.3 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.1 | 71.7 | 38.5 | 78 | 79.9 | 45.4 | 95.9 | 90.8 | 80.3 |
価格
Value & Pricing
Value here is a moving target. The $667 price gap between the cheapest and most expensive vendors is wild, and honestly, it's the difference between a no-brainer recommendation and a "maybe look elsewhere." At $497, this lens is a steal. You're getting a native Z 50mm f/1.4 with fast, accurate autofocus and weather sealing for less than most comparable options. At that price, it's hard to complain about average sharpness or missing VR. It's just a lot of lens for the money.
But if you're looking at the $1,164 end of the spectrum, things get dicey. For a little more, you could grab the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S, which is sharper, better corrected optically, and S-line built. So the real advice here is to shop around. Set a price alert, check smaller retailers, and don't pay top dollar. If you can snag one near that $500 mark, you'll be grinning every time you twist it onto your camera.
詳細情報
Overview
Nikon finally gave Z-mount shooters what a lot of us have been asking for: a native 50mm f/1.4 that doesn't break the bank. For years we've had the outstanding but pricier 50mm f/1.8 S, or we've had to adapt F-mount glass and put up with clunky autofocus. This lens is a direct answer to the crowd that wants that dreamy f/1.4 separation without having to sell a kidney. At 422g it's also light enough to live on your camera, making it a natural walkaround prime for everything from casual portraits to street photography. If you're stepping up from a kit zoom, this is the lens that'll show you why fast primes are addictive.
The build is solid but not over-the-top. It's weather sealed, so a little rain won't ruin your day, and the STM motor is quick and practically silent. That AF performance lands in the 87th percentile in our database, which means it snaps into focus with confidence, even when you're shooting wide open and chasing kids or pets. There's no aperture ring, no focus clutch, no extra frills. Just a clean, functional design that does what it's supposed to do. And honestly, at the prices we're seeing, a few missing niceties are easy to forgive.
Now, there's a big asterisk here: the price. Depending on where you shop, this lens can cost anywhere from $497 to $1,164. That's a massive spread, and it completely changes the value proposition. At the low end, you're getting a modern AF 50mm f/1.4 for less than the cost of some used adapted lenses. At the high end, you're bumping right into S-line territory, and the math gets fuzzy. But we'll get into that. For now, just know that if you shop smart, this might be the best deal in the Z ecosystem right now.
Common Questions
Q: Is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 weather sealed?
Yes, it's sealed against dust and moisture, so you can shoot in light rain or dusty conditions without much worry. Just don't dunk it, and pair it with a weather-sealed body for full protection.
Q: Does this lens have image stabilization (VR)?
No, there's no optical stabilization built into the lens. If your Z camera has in-body image stabilization, you'll get some help, but for video without IBIS, you'll want a tripod or gimbal.
Q: How does it compare to the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S?
The f/1.8 S is sharper, especially in the corners, and has better optical coatings. But the f/1.4 gives you more light gathering and shallower depth of field, and it's often much cheaper if you shop around. For pure image quality, the S-line wins; for value and bokeh separation, this lens holds its own.
Q: Can I use this for macro photography?
Not really. With a maximum magnification of 0.17x and a minimum focus distance of 37cm, you won't get close enough for true macro work. If you need extreme close-ups, a dedicated macro lens is a better choice.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot a lot of handheld video and your camera lacks IBIS, the absence of stabilization will frustrate you. Videographers should probably look at stabilized options or the stiff competition from other systems. Landscape and architecture photographers who need edge-to-edge sharpness wide open will also find this lens lacking. In those cases, the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S is a sharper, better-corrected investment. And if your budget is firmly under $400, you might consider a manual focus TTArtisan or 7artisans 50mm f/1.4 for Z-mount. You'll lose autofocus and weather sealing, but the savings are real.
Verdict
If you're on a Z camera and you've never owned a fast prime, this should be high on your list. It's a fantastic first step up from kit zooms, and at the lower end of the price range it's almost impossible to beat. The combination of f/1.4 brightness, snappy AF, and weather sealing in a lightweight package means you'll grab it more often than you think. Portraits, low-light candids, even some casual video work, this lens handles it all with a friendly, forgiving character.
But if you already own the Z 50mm f/1.8 S, this isn't a meaningful upgrade unless you absolutely need that f/1.4 aperture for a specific project. And if sharpness across the whole frame is non-negotiable, you'll be happier with the S-line or even adapting a high-end F-mount lens. This lens is all about balance: good enough optics, great autofocus, and a price that can be downright sweet if you're patient.
