LensTip.com

The first chart in this chapter presents a comparison of basic parameters of the Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.4, its system Z brothers, and two latest f/1.4 standards presented as Nikon F versions.

As you see, the new model is noticeable bigger and heavier that any double gauss construction for reflex cameras. At the same time it is a very strong rival of Nikon Z version models. It is noticeably smaller and ligher than the faster Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.2 S. What's interesting, it is also a tad smaller than the f/1.8 model even though it weighs practically the same.

Let's have a look at this comparison to other f/1.4 standard lenses offered for contemporary mirrorless cameras with full frame sensors.

Please Support Us If you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - advertisement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If you focus just on lenses from renowned producers with autofocus the Nikkor Z 1.4/50 is here definitely the smallest and, along with the Samyang model, the lightest one. What's more, it allows you to use filters with the smallest diameter and offers you the shortest minimum focusing distance at the same time. These two features are serious assets.

In the photo below the Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.4 is positioned between the Sony FE 50 mm f/1.4 GM and the Voigtlander Apo -Lanthar 2/50. The difference in size is especially conspicuous when you look at the rival Sony model and the Nikkor next to it.

Overall the casing of the Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.4 looks ascetic – with black dominating the whole design, with few white inscription. You can't find any distance or depth of field scale or aperture markings on it. There is no focusing mechanism switch either, not even mentioning any focus lock buttons.

The lens starts wit a mount made of metal that surrounds contacts and an immobile rear element, 39 mm in diameter. That element is quite flat and situated practically on the same level as the contacts. Everything around it is nicely blackened and matted here and the lens remains weather-sealed at the same time.

The proper body of the lens starts with a ring made of plastics that doesn't move; it features a white dot to make the alignment with a camera easier, an inscription with the name and parameters of the lens, the logo of the producer. Its lower part features a string of darker, matt inscriptions, stating the serial number of the device, information that it was made in China, and its focusing range ∞ - 0.37m/1.22ft..

A narrow, ribbed ring, just 9 mm wide, without any markings, is the next part of the lens. It allows you a clickless control of chosen parameters such as aperture, speed, or exposure compensation.

Then you get just another part of the barrel, also narrow but not moving this time. On this part you find a much wider, ribbed manual focusing ring, as wide as 36 mm. It is a focus-by-wire device so you won't see here any distance or depth-of-field scale. You have to rely on a simplified scale that appears on the display of the camera.

The ring moves smoothly and is properly damped. Its focus throw amounts to about 220 degrees and doesn't depend on the speed of your turning. It is a significant value, allowing you very precise settings.

The Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.4 ends with a metal ring from which sticks out a filter thread. The front element is immobile, 37 mm in diameter, surrounded by a part of the casing with the parameters of the lens and a non-rotating filter thread, 62 mm in diameter.

The lens is equipped with special seals in order to protect the lens from humidity and dust.

When it comes to optical construction you deal here with 10 elements positioned in 9 groups. One element is aspherical in shape. The diagram shows very clearly that you deal here with a brand new construction, different from classic double gauss lenses or their modifications. Inside you also find a round aperture with nine blades that can be closed down to a value of f/16.

Buyers get in the set: a front cap (LC-62B), a rear cap (LF-N1) and a petal-type hood (HB-115).