Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 review: a cost-cutting swift nifty fifty

The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 aims to bring a fast aperture to the masses, with a very reasonable price tag for an f/1.4 standard prime

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Like most photographers, I feel that a ‘nifty fifty’ is one of life’s essentials and sure enough, the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 combines a classic standard focal length for full-frame cameras with a fast aperture. And it does so at a very reasonable price. It lacks the S-line kudos of Nikon’s more up-market Z lenses but works well for both stills and video. It’s also a smart option as a portrait prime for APS-C format Nikon Z system cameras.

Pros

  • +

    Quick and virtually silent autofocus

  • +

    Fast f/1.4 aperture rating

  • +

    Dual customizable control rings

  • +

    Reasonably priced

Cons

  • -

    No A/M focus mode switch

  • -

    No customizable function button

  • -

    Lacks S-line credentials

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Zoom lenses have been all the rage for decades and there’s no beating them for versatility and convenience – up to a point. And that point is that many photographers wouldn’t class the f/2.8 of even high-end zooms as a ‘fast’ aperture, preferring the quicker aperture of a prime lens. 

And when it comes to prime lenses, the standard 50mm focal length is often seen as all but essential for shooting with a full-frame camera, as it gives an entirely natural perspective and field of view. What you see is what you get. The question is, how much do you feel the need for speed? 

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Mount optionsNikon Z (FX)
Lens construction10 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view47 degrees
Diaphragm blades9
Minimum aperturef/16
Minimum focus distance0.37m (1.22’)
Maximum magnification0.17x
Filter size62mm
Dimensions75x87mm (3x3.5”)
Weight420g (14.9oz)
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FeaturesDual customizable control rings are a neat feature but there’s no ED glass in the optical line-up.★★★★
DesignHandling is mostly very good but there’s no A/M switch, nor comprehensive weather-seals.★★★★
PerformanceImage quality is impressive overall and the autofocus system is fast and accurate.★★★★
ValueIt’s reasonably priced for a full-frame compatible 50mm f/1.4 lens with a decent feature set.★★★★
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S

The slower but more up-market Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S features two aspherical elements, two ED elements and Nano Crystal Coat. It also has an A/M focus mode switch but lacks a secondary customizable control ring.

Nikon Z 40mm f/2

The Nikon Z 40mm f/2 is amazingly compact and lightweight. In fact, you can buy this lens plus the Z 28mm f/2.8 for about the same price as the Z 50mm f/1.4. However, the cheaper lenses have an all-plastic build, including their mounting plates, and hoods aren’t included.

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