Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4: A Lens That Overdelivers… Or Does It?

[@AbhinavYadav-zm7ut]

Appreciate you trying out these new lenses especially on the Zf. I got the Tamron G2 after I saw how it balances on the Zf in your video.

[@btonelli]

Thanks!! Glad that portion of the video helped

[@btonelli]

@@NelsonLovell the images will look the same regardless. Full frame sensor just like Z8

[@georgec5725]

Nikon for the love of all that’s good and holy PLEASE make SE versions of your 35mm and 50mm f/1.4 releases, and PLEASE make a 28mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 version too! Signed, a Nikon ZF and F mount shooter

[@btonelli]

I would love to see more SE Lenses. Hopefully in the future

[@neilmarshall7805]

Thank you so much for pairing it with the Nikon Zf. That is exactly what I will do.

[@btonelli]

@@neilmarshall7805 glad it helped

[@bubbachua]

nikon Z lineup is getting better and better all the time!!! great job bobby keep it up, love your content as always

[@btonelli]

@@bubbachua thank you! Yes some big improvements

[@timurhant469]

Thank you Bobby, much appreciated. It's incredible how Nikon manages to bring new 1.4s so good and so affordable compared to the older F lenses. I will keep my 1.8 S but I am seriously interested in testing this. Hope to see a 85 and maybe a 105. the old 105 1.4 was and still is one of the top 3 Portrait lenses on any Nikon system in my eyes. The other one would be 200 f2

[@btonelli]

Couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching

[@benjhaisch]

came here because I wanted to see it on the ZF as well. love that they are making these

[@btonelli]

Yeah these are really nice companion lenses for the Zf. Hoping for more retro design lenses from Nikon in the future

[@benjhaisch]

@@btonelli gosh, add some styling and an aperture ring to this and 🤌🏼

[@dougwend7481]

Great video, the best by far on this lens to date. I have been waiting for a 1.4 for some time. I finally sold off the 58 1.4 as I wanted more native lenses. Not in to 1.2 as I see its overkill and too heavy. The 1.8 is super sharp but lacks a bit of the extra bokeh I want. The 1.4 is perfect. Not clinically sharp but sharp enough. Great job and thank you.

[@btonelli]

@@dougwend7481 thanks! Really appreciate it

[@sithbk0075]

Im not much of a 50mm but bought 50/1.2 and sold it last year. Great lens but really heavy and big. Definitely will pickup 1.4 and 35/1.4 later this year.

[@btonelli]

@@sithbk0075 yes the 1.4 ‘s are easier to carry for sure

[@philcampbell5827]

Currently have the 50 1.8 although had this been released at the time of purchase I would have likely taken this over the 1.8. Hoping they come out with an 85mm in this lineup as that is one prime I am looking to upgrade from the f mount version to z-mount and haven't yet pulled the trigger on the Z 1.8 version. Anyways great video as always Bobby!!

[@btonelli]

Yeah it seems they may just come out with an 85 which would be ideal as the 1.2 is big for many. Thanks for the support!

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

Great video with very good shots. I like those new f/1.4 lenses because to me backgrond bokeh is more pleasing to the eye than absolute sharpness. But Voigtländer lenses are also very tempting for my Nikon Zf.

[@btonelli]

Thanks!! It’s the Bokeh is quite nice with these

[@Scooter_123_abc]

On Black Friday I went to a local camera shop to purchase the 50mm f1.4 and a new Zf followed me home with it. To say I am pleased with the combination would be an understatement. Folks can rave all they wish about the 1.2 lens but it is very obvious the 1.4 is a much better deal. You lose only 1/2 stop in light gathering and DOF but the Image Quality is more than good enough and the weight/size difference is huge. BTW the Zf also has much better AF and Speed than my Z7 II and the dials can be very handy.

[@btonelli]

Congrats and well said!

[@jaimeduncan6167]

Beautiful pictures!

[@btonelli]

Thanks 🙏

[@Abc1987]

The 1.8S is marked down in the USA, they’re similarly priced currently

[@btonelli]

@@Abc1987 it’s been out for a few years so makes sense

[@Abc1987]

@@btonelli definitely makes it an interesting decision. I imagine we’ll see more comparison videos/articles between those two

[@btonelli]

@@Abc1987 reality is the differences are very minor I feel. The 1.8 may be slightly sharper but the 1.4 is lighter and has better close focus and a control ring

[@Liljoozy]

​@@btonellithe S line has better glass coatings and weather sealing thiugh, no?

[@Abc1987]

@@Liljoozyapparently so. You can also compare the MTF charts which appear very different (acknowledging that’s just one data point)

[@bubuli]

i have the 35/1.4Z and it's really priced really well for its specs (STM with MFS, which is the new Nikkor CRC or Floating Element) ...and it's up there with the best modern 35 prime lenses. looking at the 50/1.4Z specs it's similar and based on the sample images it's LoCA is even well-corrected (less green/purple bokeh fringing). so it looks like another hit for Nikon.

[@Liljoozy]

What is STM and why is it a key spec for you? Never heard of it as a long time Nikon DSLR user

[@bubuli]

@@Liljoozy STM is stepping motor...but akshully the key spec is MFS (STM or not is not that important to me) which makes the lens consistently sharp at wide open apertures throughout this focus range.

[@btonelli]

Yes it’s well corrected.

[@GarryM66]

Nice and I agree I think this might be better overall than the 1.8s but guess it’s all down to use case. For my style of photography I like to soften and make my images more dreamy and I also like close up detail shots so for me this is the lens I would choose. I think pair this with the xf and you’ve got a fantastic street/walk around package. Really interesting what Nikon are giving us here as well as the choice 👏

[@Liljoozy]

Zf

[@btonelli]

Yes it’s a good lineup of 50 lenses now and all down to preference because they all perform well

[@Vaptomwen]

Looks very good , I’m still waiting for ultra wide primes the wider the better

[@btonelli]

So far only Viltrox with that but hopefully we see Nikon come out with those in the future

[@NathanPhua]

Laowa 10mm is pretty good

[@cy9nvs]

7:18 were those shot from the same position? Because the face is much bigger in the image taken with the 1.2, which of course shows more detail.

[@btonelli]

@@cy9nvs roughly the same position. The guy was moving a bit.

[@kristoffergo6294]

Pre ordered this one already! I'm glad I moved back to Nikon.

[@btonelli]

Congrats!

[@RadAlzyoud]

Excellent review. Thx

[@btonelli]

Thank you

[@RobertFalconer1967]

It's interesting that we find ourselves in a place where the f/1.8 is actually a stronger performer optically than the f/1.4 variant. Not taking anything away from the Z 50 f/1.4, which I'm sure is a very good performer. But when the Z 50mm f/1.8 S arrived it was repeatedly being compared favorably to the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 optically; high praise for a lens that costs 1/8th the price of the Otus.

[@btonelli]

Yes it’s interesting. Different approach Nikon has taken with these 1.4 lenses

[@dakotaxu4792]

Bobby can you do a review is the excellent Sigma 50mm f1.2 Art lens for Sony but used on the Nikon Z system with the Megadap ETZ21 adapter? I’ve heard that it works flawlessly!!!

[@btonelli]

@@dakotaxu4792 yes it does work almost flawlessly but not worth producing an entire video for that scenario. I use the Megadap all the time for video and photo with great success

[@marcopaglionicoin3ufw952]

Ciao Bobby good morning, a question, would you recommend it for street riding both during the day and especially at night with mirrorles z6II? Thank you

[@btonelli]

Ciao. It’s a versatile lens for both

[@marcopaglionicoin3ufw952]

@@btonelli Ok Tank's & have nice day

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

Clinical sharpness isn't great for portraits anyway. Therefore a good choice from Nikon to deliver something in-between without having the huge and heavy size of f/1.2 lenses.

[@btonelli]

Agree

[@pmw350k]

Clinical sharpness is just a cliche for lens transparency. It’s never a bad thing.

[@r3vo811]

Is it possible to make one ring the aperture ring? That was the biggest let down with the introduction of the ZF... not lenses that capture the feeling on analog experience like Fuji's lineup.

[@btonelli]

@@r3vo811 the control ring is set to be aperture but you can change the functionality in the camera to be whatever you want

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

If you want analog feeling just try the Voigtländer lenses made for Z-Mount.

[@btonelli]

@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas yep. I made a video on that

[@r3vo811]

@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas They are no AF-Lenses and since my eyes are not that reliable even with the ZF's focus assist AF is absolutely necessary/crucial...

[@ruff1draft]

In February this year I bought the Nikon 50mm F1.4 DSLR Version for my Nikon D5500 and it's a beast

[@btonelli]

@@ruff1draft yes still a great lens!

[@Janihonkalaxx]

😂

[@Benjamin_Jehne]

You can see directly that the bokeh is a bit more busy, but who cares!? This is a spot on lens. We need these midrange lenses in our systems and thx Nikon that they're stepping back and bring back the old lines back. Not everyone is willing to pay 1500€/$ for a 50mm F1.4. We always had these around 500€/$ lenses in times of DSLRs. I do a lot of event-photography and I don't want or need these expensive lenses. I want it small, lightweight and for a normal price tag. If it breaks, who cares - get a new one. Sh+t happens but you don't want it to happen to your 50mm F1.2 at a stupid event.

[@btonelli]

Agree. Small, inexpensive and a good performer is what most people want. Those that have the budget and the desire for the expensive high performance glass will opt for something different. Great to have options

[@nethbt]

Mandeep is looking groovy fantastic 🤩

[@btonelli]

@@nethbt haha all looking good

[@nethbt]

@@btonelli and Gukesh too, they are all photogenic

[@jtes1442]

If you already have the 50 1.8S, it makes no sense to purchase this lens, as that 1.8 is a beast of a performer and goes on sale regularly. However, that would be a tough choice if you don't have either.

[@btonelli]

👍 agree

[@francisgarofalo3434]

I haven't shot the 1.4 but my 50mm f 1.8 Is fantastic!!! I recommend it without reservation.

[@btonelli]

@@francisgarofalo3434 yes the 1.8 is a solid lens

[@RussandLoz]

The 50 1.8 will be cheaper than this lens on the used market. Will also be much sharper and better image rendition. Wonder why you didnt compare it?

[@livejames9374]

And this will also be cheaper on used market. Wait a couple weeks.

[@btonelli]

We had the 1.8 that day but to be honest the differences were negligible.

[@pmw350k]

@@btonelli I returned the Z35mm f/1.4 and paid more to buy the f1.8. The problems with the 1.4 were too bothersome, CA, flare, coma, astigmatism, softness. With the 50mm I'd have to see side by side proof the 1.4 wasn't also significantly worse.

[@btonelli]

@@pmw350k sorry to hear this. I didn’t experience these results with the copy I had

[@Anen_Aier]

@btonelli hi there As per optical performance which lens you prefer for video, 50mm 1.8 or 28-75 2.8 ? I have watched one of your video with the tamron 28-75 also. I'm goin to order one for wedding. So which one you suggest. Thanks again

[@btonelli]

@@Anen_Aier depends if you need the versatility of a zoom lens or are you ok with a prime. Zoom is usually easier for video especially if you are moving around for weddings. If you need a lens to isolate your subject more with some pleasant bokeh then 50

[@Anen_Aier]

@@btonelli thank you... Sir

[@stealthdoocatee]

Any good for close ups sports you think ?

[@btonelli]

Indeed

[@dennismccowan5375]

Do you ask all people for permission prior to shooing their pic? Do they ask for copies? Just bought a 50mm 1.4 for my Nikons: D5600 and D7500. Haven't moved up to mirrorless yet.

[@btonelli]

@@dennismccowan5375 Thanks for watching. Yes I ask, this is why you see clips of me showing the images. Some don’t care to see and some do. Also I do get requests to email them the images as well. I remove the chatting parts as to keep the video moving but yes I ask

[@nileshraut9653]

Namaste sir... 🙏 Welcome to india 🇮🇳

[@btonelli]

Hi! Unfortunately This isn’t India. Little India is a part of Singapore

[@nileshraut9653]

@@btonelli ohh... 😃

[@rakeshrakieee]

Z8 with the lenses it's feel beast 💪

[@btonelli]

@@rakeshrakieee it’s actually quite light with the Z8

[@livejames9374]

Nice images

[@btonelli]

@@livejames9374 thank you

[@Parthiba1993]

Happy Exploring India. I guess you are in Chennai from the locality you were shooting.

[@btonelli]

@@Parthiba1993 actually this is Little India in Singapore :)

[@Parthiba1993]

@@btonelli What..? Glad to know. When you mentioned India. I started thinking where it could be in India. I felt the same vibe as the streets of Chennai

[@btonelli]

@@Parthiba1993 sorry, I should have clarified in the video “Little India” is an area in Singapore

[@devilangel4655]

@@btonelli😂😂😂

[@alanjones3076]

Lens yes ZF not so much. I was ready, checked it out in local shop and the 60 hex fixed refresh was a lagy non starter. Hope Zf2 has a legit evf. Would rather have as dslr vs. that evf.

[@tashihishey34]

Umm, the Nikon 50mm 1.8s lens is more expensive than the Nikon Z1.4? Usually the 1.4 is double the price of a 1.8.

[@btonelli]

@@tashihishey34 yes! That’s what’s interesting about Nikon’s direction for this

[@carjac820]

it’s because those 1.8 lenses are insanely sharp. A lot of people would pay a premium for that alone.

[@joespag26]

The Nikon Z 1.4 is not a S Lens, the 1.8 is a S lens

[@johnlarsson4437]

There is currently a promotion on the 50mm f1.8 S lens in the U.S. The 1.8S is on sale for 526$ USD and the 1.4 is 496$ USD. This makes for a difficult choice.

[@btonelli]

@@johnlarsson4437 extremely difficult. Guess it depends if you need 1.4 and closer focusing

[@sandraflickstein4377]

I have a z 7II. How will it perform with this camera?

[@btonelli]

@@sandraflickstein4377 same as 50 1.8

[@UNNIKRISHNANPM172]

@Bobby Tonelli - I am planning to by a lens this weekend for my z50, mainly for street photography, low light photography. Pick one for me please - 35mm 1.8/35mm 1.4/50mm 1.8/50mm 1.4. Thanks.

[@btonelli]

Keep in mind that with APS-C 50 becomes 75mm etc etc so need to think how you want to photograph

[@lelandfitz1762]

I dont own a modern camera (DSLR is 15 years old) but don't some cameras correct distortion in-camera without the need to do it in Lightroom?

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

Yes, correction is always available if you use lenses from the same brand.

[@btonelli]

Yes correction does happen but sometimes it doesn’t always do 100 percent

[@billtonli]

love it

[@btonelli]

Thanks! It’s a solid lens

[@LensForgotten]

I’d love to see how it matches up to the also new 35mm f1.4 z

[@btonelli]

I never used that lens extensively unfortunately

[@horniuvrat1642]

This lens is low budget. Is it made again at Tamron like the ones before it?

[@btonelli]

@@horniuvrat1642 not sure. Tamron doesn’t have a 50 1.4

[@horniuvrat1642]

@@btonelli doesn't have yet. But this does not rule out the possibility that Nikon ordered such a lens. They have already continued their cooperation with rebranded zoom lenses. The only option is to view all Tamron patents.

[@Ivan__77]

So how small is it? It's the same size as 50mm f1.8S lens and 5 grams heavier. It's almost double the size and weight of the previous 50mm f/1.4G lens, so no, the first thing I notice is not how small and light it is.

[@skmdsohel7105]

How much price this lens?

[@btonelli]

Around 400 Plus USD

[@martinxoxo]

i am so disappointed. the bokeh... look at the lamps at 1:40 or at the comparison with the 1.2 at 3:27 - bokeh is so busy, distracting, nothing butter smooth here. i have a sigma 50 1.4 f-mount on my d750, and it has such a nice bokeh, was cheaper, more compact and has similar weight. bugger, i was waiting for this one here so i would finally be able to switch to z mount. and now this. z8 looks great, but lenses, hmmm. i'm afraid when sigma finally comes around with a 1.4, it will be too heavy, like all their recent art lenses. anyway, i'll be with f mount for a bit longer now 😕

[@btonelli]

The bokeh was fine for me but understand everyone will have their own preferences

[@mohdnooraimisamsee6416]

Just buy 50mm 1.2 🤣🤣

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

The Sigma is way bigger and heavier than this lens. It's a trade-off between size, weight and compact, lightweight design. If you take care a bit of the background you won't have a problem with this lens.

[@einoansio9450]

The 1.4 was obviously shot from a lot further from the subject so of course the bokeh isn't as smooth.

[@comment_below]

its a shame we have to choose between sharp 1.8s or background separation/letting in more light 1.4 @nikonusa

[@btonelli]

The sharpness difference isn’t really that much to be honest. Most people in an A/B test probably won’t be able to tell

[@comment_below]

@@btonelli hmm -i feel I can already tell the difference -but will wait for some pixel peep test to make my conclusion .... but for normal portrait stuff or walking around photos looks great .... however for something like cars -doesn't look like it would cut it

[@btonelli]

@@comment_below cars will want to stop down anyways so with most of these lenses once you stop down the differences become less noticeable

[@comment_below]

@@btonelli i know what u mean, but no -not always do u stop down for shooting cars

[@flol_photography]

Contrast is aweful. Especially compared to the 1.2. Is that only KZbin compression? But then, why does the 1.2 look so much better? I am pretty disappointed. I don't need the sharpest or lowest CA and so on. But it seems that all together it reduces the contrast and natural look when not having good quality glass.

[@PROgaming-fm6yu]

just want to say whenever you show an image taken on the Z8 it 100% doesn't sound like that! lol it sounded more like someone being tasered!

[@btonelli]

We don’t have the actual sounds but wanted to add in some effects for photos

[@Democratiser]

There are not many lenses which demonstrate ‘3D pop’. But this one most certainly does.

[@balikasikshamandirschool3371]

welcome to India

[@btonelli]

@@balikasikshamandirschool3371 actually this is Singapore

[@balikasikshamandirschool3371]

@@btonelli OMG ! people and streets are looks like Indian !

[@btonelli]

@@balikasikshamandirschool3371 we have a large Indian community here :)

[@Nickveganyc]

What difference to my 50mm 1.8 ? I mean quality and build

[@btonelli]

@@Nickveganyc lighter, closer focusing distance and 1.4. If you are happy with the 1.8 prob no need to get this

[@parnilsson322]

The 50 1.8 S is a stellar lens, it is very sharp wide open and well corrected. Im very happy with mine.

[@btonelli]

@@parnilsson322 solid lens. Can’t fault the 1.8A lenses for the price and performance

[@Nickveganyc]

I have the Nikon z50mm 1.8s did I over paid for my lens

[@izzatIHH55]

1:37 what's her @?

[@btonelli]

@@izzatIHH55 she is taken so can’t reach out on IG. Sorry 😊

[@hishamosman4341]

For the price alone, everything is forgiven

[@btonelli]

@@hishamosman4341 indeed

[@surajtarai6831]

Price?

[@btonelli]

@@surajtarai6831 around 400 plus USD

[@NCSTalkid]

im not buyingt his lens. i will buy z 50/1.8s second hand. i will buy later z 85/1.4

[@btonelli]

All good. 1.8S is a solid lens as well

[@NCSTalkid]

@@btonelli right now i think i prefer expensive great f1.8 than cheap mediocre f1.8

[@dkastra26]

1.8 is better because its a S Lens. Faster. Quieter.

[@NCSTalkid]

@@dkastra26 i got z 28/2.8 and z 35/1.8s and 1 week later i sold my z28/2.8; z 35/1.8s so good that it makes all my lens look bad except my milvus 50/1.4, lol. and i heard z 50/1.8 looks way better than z 35/1.8 lol

[@ericshutter5305]

The 1.8S is much better ... which is a shame ... as I would have loved an 1.4S between 1.2 and 1.8 quality-price-weight ...

[@olafkunert6368]

I'm still waiting for a NIKKOR Z 14mm 1.4

[@TheSasePetrov]

i have a sigma 50 mm1.4 is it even worth selling for this one i think the sigma will still outperform it

[@btonelli]

The sigma is probably a better performing lens but much bigger and heavier

[@Janihonkalaxx]

Sigmas bokeh is so ugly🤢

[@TheSasePetrov]

@@Janihonkalaxx what no way man

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

Did Nikon just kill their 50/1.8 😢

[@btonelli]

@@ElementaryWatson-123 nah. Still okay

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

No, it's just a different lens.

[@rakeshrakieee]

Tamiln's notes background music lord murugan song

[@btonelli]

@@rakeshrakieee is the music okay? Found it on epidemic sound

[@rakeshrakieee]

​@@btonelli I'm not told post production bg music I told the street temple playing music only

[@btonelli]

Ahh okay

[@TCMx3]

Is there actually a reason to go for this on the Zf over the 1.8S? The difference in max aperture is meaningless for light gathering with the Zf's ISO performance IMO. Nikon's specs list it as basically the same size as the 1.8S and weight, and it's uh... a lot less sharp. Zf is a 2K body too. 40/2.0 is a good budget option. Just don't understand who this lens is for tbh.

[@btonelli]

It’s about the same as the 1.8 S I feel. I think this lens having the faster aperture and better close focus with the control ring is a good option for those that want these options. If the 1.8 is good for you then stick with that. It’s a good question as to why someone would get this or not. Will see what the market says

[@amermeleitor]

Nikon system is very tempting now 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔. I hope that Nikon will launch more entry level cameras (Z5II, Z50II), that can compete with Sony and Canon.

[@btonelli]

I’m sure they will refresh some of those cameras.

[@sunesnigel]

Is love switch from my z6 to a z5 ii. As long as it'll have ibis. Or maybe go aps-c.

[@TranBaoViet]

Has anyone told you that you look like Dr Strange?

[@btonelli]

Haha yes quite often

[@nelsonclub7722]

Interesting how much bigger this lens is compared to my Leica M 50 1.4, which I use on an SL

[@btonelli]

@@nelsonclub7722 one is manual focus one has AF. Can’t compare really

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@btonelli It was just a take on a thought about how we accept larger lenses for the small benefit of AF - I would argue that MF on a 1.4 is probably more accurate - great lens tho

[@btonelli]

@@nelsonclub7722 understand. I look at it as both have their engineering challenges. AF motors’s moving glass at such a high speed also is requires a lot of engineering and precision.

[@llpqazz]

@@nelsonclub7722 "small" benefit of AF... funny! Lets see how MF goes with animals, kids or active environments.

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@llpqazz Funny - zone focusing mate - pro for 35 years never use it - its hopeless at 1.4

[@comment_below]

zf and se users should find another hobby

[@btonelli]

Not sure what you mean by this

[@comment_below]

@@btonelli lol -buying a camera or lens bc the way the product looks over the quality of the product itself or the images it takes

[@comment_below]

lol still doesn't get it 👌

[@btonelli]

@@comment_below I get it. We all have opinions on how we spend our money and what we find important. For you it’s practicality, others it’s craftsmanship, design and passion. In my videos I try to speak to both audiences as they both have valid reasons.

[@comment_below]

@@btonelli lmao - no dude ....lmao!! thanks for this though -" craftsmanship, design and passion" .... nice try diddy

[@comment_below]

i feel nikon finally made i banger portrait lens that normal people can afford ... be nice if they stopped making so many 50s though -a cheaper 85mm at 1.4 should be a super hit -and id pay $1000, maybe a bit more, if they made it an S @nikonusa

[@btonelli]

I’m with you. I would love to see more 35mm lenses too

[@comment_below]

@@btonelli 100% -35mm 1.2 S would be killer - 1.4 S even