{"id":4430,"date":"2024-09-13T03:34:44+00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T03:34:44+00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/?p=4430"},"modified":"2024-12-22T20:38:05+00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-22T20:38:05+00:00","slug":"nikon-z-system-got-its-first-50mm-f14-lens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/2024\/09\/nikon-z-system-got-its-first-50mm-f14-lens\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikon Z system got its first 50mm F1.4 lens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everybody loves a 50mm lens! Fast fifty is the staple of any lens mount, Nikon Z users were already spoilt for choice, and they just got another fast fifty — the cheapest yet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Nikon just announced the latest addition to their Z mount lens lineup — the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/picture>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With no S-line designation and an \u0192\/1.4 aperture, Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4 is the most affordable 50mm Nikkor slotted between existing \u0192\/1.2 and \u0192\/1.8 S-line brethren. It trades the clinical sharpness and perfection of S-line lenses for character, smaller size, lower price and additional control ring (Zf owners rejoice!). While it might not sound like a good deal, having options is never bad, and this looks like a good option at a lower price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It even addresses a problem I’ve already ranted about () — Z mount is missing lenses with aperture rings, and with Nikon Zf, an aperture ring would be a very welcome feature. Here, it’s implemented as a control ring, just like on a premium Nikkon Z 50mm F1.2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Nikon, this lens “is a classic focal length ideal for portraits, landscapes, street photography snapshots and close-ups.” It has a “painterly blur that accentuates your subject”, edge-to-edge clarity “to create immersive images with sharp details across the frame”; it “unlocks exciting possibilities for low light” and “renders faces naturally, without distorting any features”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a technical side, it uses an STM autofocus system for quiet operation, linear manual focus (not on all cameras, tho), suppressed focus breathing, weather sealing and focuses as close as 0.37 meters. And its price makes it the cheapest 50mm Z Nikkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that’s not all Z mount has to offer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s out there?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Staying with Z Nikkors, there are three other 50mm lenses — already mentioned Z 50mm F1.2<\/strong> S, Z 50mm F1.8<\/strong> S and Z MC 50mm F2.8<\/strong>. Both \u0192\/1.2 and \u0192\/1.8 lenses are part of the S line, Nikon’s premium lenses, while the MC lens is a non-premium macro lens. While the \u0192\/1.2 lens is big and heavy, the rest is more reasonably sized, with more affordable prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25ca<\/th>Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2<\/strong> S<\/th>Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4<\/strong><\/th>Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8<\/strong> S<\/th>Nikkor Z MC 50mm F2.8<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Focal length<\/td>50mm<\/td>50mm<\/td>50mm<\/td>50mm<\/td><\/tr>
Max. aperture<\/td>\u0192\/1.2<\/td>\u0192\/1.4<\/td>\u0192\/1.8<\/td>\u0192\/2.8<\/td><\/tr>
Min. aperture<\/td>\u0192\/16<\/td>\u0192\/16<\/td>\u0192\/16<\/td>\u0192\/22<\/td><\/tr>
Aperture blades<\/td>9<\/td>9<\/td>9<\/td>9<\/td><\/tr>
Lens formula<\/td>17E \/ 15G<\/td>10E \/ 7G<\/td>12E \/ 9G<\/td>10E \/ 7G<\/td><\/tr>
Special elements<\/td>2\u00d7 ED, 3\u00d7 Asph.<\/td>1\u00d7 Asph.<\/td>2\u00d7 ED, 2\u00d7 Asph.<\/td>1\u00d7 ED, 1\u00d7 Asph.<\/td><\/tr>
MFD<\/td>0.45m<\/td>0.37m<\/td>0.4m<\/td>0.16m<\/td><\/tr>
Magnification<\/td>0.15\u00d7<\/td>0.17\u00d7<\/td>0.15\u00d7<\/td>1\u00d7<\/td><\/tr>
Focusing type<\/td>Internal<\/td>Internal<\/td>Internal<\/td>Front group extension<\/td><\/tr>
Filter size<\/td>82mm<\/td>62mm<\/td>62mm<\/td>46mm<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/td>1090g<\/td>420g<\/td>415g<\/td>260g<\/td><\/tr>
Diameter<\/td>90mm<\/td>75mm<\/td>76mm<\/td>75mm<\/td><\/tr>
Length<\/td>150mm<\/td>87mm<\/td>87mm<\/td>66mm<\/td><\/tr>
Features<\/td>OLED display, L-Fn button, control ring<\/td>Control ring<\/td>—<\/td>1:1 macro, focus limiter<\/td><\/tr>
S-Line<\/td>\u2705<\/td>\u274c<\/td>\u2705<\/td>\u274c<\/td><\/tr>
Price *<\/td>US$2100<\/td>US$500<\/td>US$630<\/td>US$650<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

* Prices are approximate and based on the Nikon USA website. Real-world pricing depends on local factors not included here, use the prices just as a guide.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As per Z mount specification, the aperture is controlled electromagnetically, in the previous Nikon nomenclature they are E-type lenses. All four lenses feature STM focusing motors, curved aperture blades and aspherical lens elements. Except for the macro lens, all use internal focusing mechanisms, so the lens length remains constant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Z MC 50mm F2.8 macro lens features a linear extension focusing system, inner tube extends a few centimetres. As with all macro lenses, its effective aperture decreases when focussed to the closest distances – its effective aperture range drops to \u0192\/5.6\u2013\u200d32. It also features a focus limiter switch that can limit its focusing to 0.16\u2013\u200d0.3m or 0.3m\u2013\u200d\u221e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Z 50mm F1.2 lens features ARNEO, Nano Crystal and Super Integrated coatings for reduced ghosting and aberrations. The other S-Line lens, the Z 50mm F1.8 shares Nano Crystal and Super Integrated coatings, but not the ARNEO coatings. Only S-Line lenses have those coatings advertised, but the macro lens has additional coatings Nikon calls Fluorine — coating for improved resistance to dist, water droplets, great or dirt. Additionally, the F1.4 lens features a Multi Focus System, a Nikon-lingo for close-range correction system, allowing for an improved close focus capability, as evident by a slightly shorter minimal focusing distance — 0.37m vs. 0.4m for the F1.8 and pedestrian 0.45m for the F1.2 version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With four lenses in the same focal length slot, Nikon managed to differentiate four lenses with their specific goals and delivered. F1.2 S lens is a technical tour de force, with an amazing \u0192\/1.2 aperture, fast autofocus and outstanding image quality, but it’s big, heavy and expensive. F1.8 S lens is bigger than expected from a 50mm lens, but it is a quickly focusing lens with an excellent image quality. It’s a bit pricey for an \u0192\/1.8 lens, though. The F2.8 MC lens is the only one that can be called compact. Surprisingly, it’s also a true macro lens, with 1:1 magnification. Finally, the F1.4 lens successfully offers some of that elusive vintage character while keeping image quality high. It is a natural companion to the Nikon Zf, a relatively compact, retro-nostalgia-styled camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that’s not all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Nikkor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are 3rd<\/sup> party lenses in the Z mount. The most common autofocus 50mm lens from 3rd<\/sup> party manufacturers has an \u0192\/1.8 aperture — 7Artisans, Meike, Viltrox and YongNuo are selling their 50mm F1.8 AF lenses with native Z mount. Even the most expensive models are at least 30% less expensive than the cheapest Nikkor peer, but with a less bright aperture and significantly less reputation, their cost effectiveness is questionable now. Even less costly models — Meike and 7Artisans — are 50% and almost 70% cheaper, respectively, are offering more than adequate performance for the money, but in the end, you get what you pay for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two additional native Z mount lenses — Voigtl\u00e4nder Nokton 50mm F1 and APO-Lanthar 50mm F2 — support full digital communication with the camera, and have working manual aperture rings, but are manual focus only. Their image quality is optimized to be less clinical and manual focus with an \u0192\/1.0 lens can’t be anything more than an exercise of patience. Their classic looks and build quality are a class of their own, but so is the price — APO-Lanthar F2 at US$900 is more expensive than any Nikkor Z except the \u0192\/1.2 version, and Nokton with \u0192\/1 aperture is even coming close to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 50mm lenses starting at \u0192\/1 and prices as low as US$170, Nikon Z mount users are spoilt for choice. Finally!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/div>
\n

Our coverage of Nikon Z mount 50mm lenses is available here<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/div>
\n

The official Nikon press release for the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4 lens is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everybody loves a 50mm lens! Fast fifty is the staple of any lens mount, Nikon Z users were already spoilt for choice, and they just got another fast fifty — the cheapest yet!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4499,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":".gs-box{padding:20px;border-left:5px solid transparent;margin-bottom:25px}.gs-box-text>p{margin-bottom:20px;margin-top:0}.gs-box-text>p:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0}.gs-box.info_type{color:#155724;background-color:#d4edda;border-color:#c3e6cb}.gs-box.info_type svg{fill:#30a030}#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0acbb2c,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0ca1d44{text-align:wide}#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0acbb2c svg,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0ca1d44 svg{height:22px!important;width:22px!important;min-width:22px!important;fill:currentColor!important;margin:0!important}.gs-box.download_type{color:#004085;background-color:#cce5ff;border-color:#b8daff}.gs-box.download_type svg{fill:#3a9aff}.gs-box.icon_type{display:flex}.gs-box.icon_type .gs-box-icon{width:28px;min-width:28px}.gs-box.icon_type .gs-box-text{flex-grow:1;margin:0 15px}#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0acbb2c svg{height:20px!important;width:20px!important;min-width:20px!important}#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0acbb2c svg path,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0acbb2c svg:hover,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0acbb2c svg:hover path,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0ca1d44 svg path,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0ca1d44 svg:hover,#gspb_infoBox-id-gsbp-0ca1d44 svg:hover path{fill:currentColor!important}","inline_featured_image":false,"_import_markdown_pro_load_document_selector":0,"_import_markdown_pro_submit_text_textarea":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"venue_id":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[181,536,111,27],"tags":[20,43,534,538],"class_list":["post-4430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comparisons","category-new-lens","category-news","category-photography-gear","tag-digital-photography","tag-lenses","tag-nikon","tag-z-mount"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Nikon_Nikkor_Z_50mm_F1.4_S-03-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4430"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4786,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4430\/revisions\/4786"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iso3200.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}