Nikon 58mm F/1.4 Review - A Mysterious Lens

[@leo-trumpet]

Thank you for your detailed report and patronage. I'm Sato, who designed and developed this lens. After 30 years of research, I came up with the idea of ​​3DHifi. This lens is one of the results of that research. We appreciate your continued support and patronage.

[@WimBals]

Thanks so much for your comment, and the lens!

[@kusai2477]

Sato-san, thank you for creating this very special lens. As a photographer friend once told me, "...sharpness is overrated." He is so right. While not optimized for sharpness wide open, the Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G renders beautifully with a special look. Stop it down a bit and the sharpness is more than adequate. A very versatile lens.

[@かなざわしゅん-b6k]

85mm f1.4Dと58mm f1.4gはFマウントレンズで傑作中の傑作だと思います。

[@ianmcpartland9306]

really? If it is really you Sato, then thank you. My all time favourite lens

[@daviddodier8845]

I’m on my third copy! Thank you Sato!

[@robertyoung1777]

A beautiful lens! I appreciate your clear, precise and slowly paced explanations. So many KZbin presenters talk so fast that what they say turns into “word salad”. This is a great explanation of what this lens can do. Thanks for highlighting this lens!

[@Vahagraphy]

First and foremost, I have to say, what an awesome review. Your delivery is so calm and easy to understand. Second. Love this lens, The colors are so warm and rich, 3rd. it's very nice to meet you. I'm Vahagn, Was a pleasure watching you explain this lens and show samples. Thank you , I just subscribed.

[@WimBals]

Thank you so much Vahagn!

[@graxxor]

Love your work, Vahagn! Nice to see you watching other creators’ work!

[@iandrucker978]

4 Months later I finally bought the 58mm f1.4G after watching this, It's my first day with the lens today, shot a whole bunch of images and I am in LOVE with what it does, I literally bought this lens because of your review.

[@WimBals]

Thank you! It is such a great lens.

[@Capcity44]

Great video sir! I got this lens as a used copy, and I enjoy it. I like the 58-60mm focal range. I use this lens for full body portraits. My favorite traits are its color, texture, and it's bokeh. Sharpness is not what this lens is made for and thankfully, it's not a major priority for me. On my Z6, I'm able to use IBIS and take some shots nearly wide open. This is also a strong b/w lens. Nikon did not do a great job of making the public aware of what this lens was designed for, and KZbin reviewers gave it bad reviews because they didn't understand what they were reviewing. I like shooting this lens around F2.2 in natural light.

[@WimBals]

Thanks for your story!

[@PunjabiGymBeats]

I have used 35,58,85 1.4G and 70-200 2.8 FL and 58mm was most used and fav lens.

[@JiiV3e]

I used to own this lens and I loved it. I dont know what it did to pictures, but I liked every picture I took with that lens. It was not the bokeh, nor the sharpness. Sadly ot was not weathersealed which is something I need with my photography so I changed it to 35mm 1.4G lens, which is almost as good of a lens.

[@WimBals]

That's true, there is no weathersealing. I heard some great things about the 35mm 1.4.

[@johndaubney7311]

It's an art lens and it is magical. its addicting like you said and yes I too want to shoot everything with it. I do like it wide open the bokeh is really something else. I have the Voightlander 58mm F1.4 as well. I hardly ever use it anymore lol. The bokeh is not as smooth in medium to distant backgrounds as the nikon is..... its also GREAT stopped down....the micro contrast and the rendering is like nothing I've shot with. It really has become my favorite lens. The only down side I've found for myself is doing low light music events. It has an issue with extreme lighting causing highlights to blow out even when metering for the higlights i use different glass in those situations. No lens is perfect or the right tool for every situation but on the whole it is my favorite lens these days.

[@WimBals]

Thanks John, the 58mm is indeed a versatile lens. The cream-like backgrounds that this lens produces continue to appeal to the imagination.

[@ncsteve39]

Hello from the US and thank you for this review. I also feel this is a special lens. Currently I use it mostly on the D780 for portraits and street/urban where it excels. Previously I also used with the D810 and D850 mostly for portraits where it was also excellent. It is my favorite lens to use for night time street/urban photos. I also have 24 and 35mm 1.4G and 85 1/4D lenses. So far for me the only mirrorless kit that came close in image quality/rendering are Zeiss Batis lenses on Sony A73. Thank you Sato-san for all your good work. Cheers, Steven

[@WimBals]

Thanks Steven, this lens is definitely a keeper.

[@fishfamily5408]

This lens has made me keep my DSLRs ( DF and D4s ) It is my favorite lens. It seems to have a new life when using it on my mirrorless Nikon ZFs. It seems to focus more accurately than it did on my DSLRs. It's probably my favorite lens! So versatile and so much character.

[@WimBals]

A very unique piece of glass indeed!

[@steveottavaino3804]

Great review, on point. I shoot with the D850 and an extensive collection of fast Nikon lens, one of which is the 58 F1.4. Were I told I could keep but one it would probably be the 58, of course hoping that never happens, a photographer’s worse nightmare. The lens renders images that are just superlative, it’s actually very versatile, soft and dreamy wide open but tack sharp above 2.8. Many say it’s a soft lens but that has not been my experience if stopped down, CA is not well controlled wide open, and I’d hoped for a better close focusing distance, but those are my only complaints. Clients always love the photos taken with it, they don’t know why exactly but they know they do. Magic regardless of cost. That said thank you for the review and a fair evaluation, unfortunately the press gives little love to this amazing lens and it’s great to see one who truly knows how to best utilize its deep capabilities. Be well!!

[@WimBals]

Thanks for your comment Steve. Another fan of this lens apparently. The CA and focusing distance are indeed justified points of criticism. The problem with new lenses (e.g. Z lenses) that come on the market is that they are apparently made to please reviewers and less photographers. All new lenses should be razor sharp right into the corners without a single flaw. The problem is that this way of production also removes the 'soul' from a lens and they give a 'flat' image. Sometimes even 'cartoonish' with too much contrast. In fact, I'm currently leaning back to some AF-D lenses for their rendering. Cheers, Wim

[@steveottavaino3804]

@@WimBals I could not have said it better Wim. The art part of photography is being lost to the science of outstanding technical achievement. I shot professionally starting back in the mid seventies so a dinosaur at this point, my love of images formed by shooting 35mm and 6x7 (F bodies & Zenza Bronica GS1) film so spoiled by the artsy look of the medium in all its glorious varieties, assisted by professional color labs of course. You can imagine my joy upon reviewing my 1st shots with the 58 on a D800E, instantly took it off putting it on my F5 with B&W film and fell in love. I was truly getting what I imagined while looking through the viewfinder, perhaps more.... As with you I too have no intention of letting my F glass go, everyone a keeper for their “unique” characteristics not seen as “flaws” by myself. You fine sir have a new subscriber. Take care and be well!

[@Jason_Red]

Great review, thank you. My experience and opinion is the same as yours. I bought it secondhand for 325euro because there was light crack somewhere on the plastic. I don't really see it. The glass itself is in mint condition. For this low price it really is great to experiment with this specialty lens.

[@WimBals]

Great deal for this lens.

[@dance2jam]

Very late to this party, but thanks for the review and providing your opinion and some examples. I don't own this lens, but I've heard of it, and I don't own a nifty-fifty yet. I saw one for sale today, and just thought I'd look at samples and reviews for some background. Would love to see some comparisons to the rare 58mm manual focus, but we know how hard that is to get a hold of. I have owned the 200mm f2 VR for just about a year now. Seems like many of the same things could be said. Color rendering, niche market, and can produce images with center sharpness, lovely smooth transitions of the out of focus zones, and the potential dimensionality you see- in short - images that breathe. I fell in love with this look fairly quickly after picking up the 200mm f2 - and so do the people I photograph. I do not own any of the Z mount lenses yet, but many of them look critically and clinically sharp, but lack a bit of character. Perhaps with some of the latest offerings, that is changing. Thanks for the review!

[@WimBals]

Thank you very much for your comment. This lens is indeed special and has a certain look wide open. I recently bought the 50mm 1.4 G and noticeably from F/2 this lens shows many similarities with the 58mm. The 58mm obviously benefits from the extra 8mm of reach. I share your opinion about the Z lenses. Of course these are very sharp, but in terms of character they do not appeal to me at all. Fortunately, there are still plenty of f-mount lenses to choose from.

[@dance2jam]

@@WimBals Agreed! Thanks for your comment and video!

[@gregoryowain2073]

I think this is the best video I've seen that really shows off the strengths of the 58mm F1.4 and how it differs to the 50mm F1.4. Yes we all know it isn't as sharp but the rendering is really fantastic. I'm not sure I could justify buying it at the moment but I would love to shoot film with it on my Nikon F100. I think the combination of the rendering with film grain would look lovely, especially on portraits.

[@WimBals]

Thanks, it's a special lens indeed. You might consider the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 for your F100.

[@rodneyodell8959]

I had this lens before I went mirrorless. It was my favorite lens. I was just looking through old photos I took with and I forgot how much I loved it.

[@WimBals]

I totally understand you. None of the current z mount lenses have that same effect.

[@deltatom2459]

Nice introduction to the 58/1.4 Nikon Lense. I am still using my Leica -R Lenses from analog times and i can say. yes , this Lens has similary charakter . But I am missing one , but important capability of this Nikon Lense and that is its extraordinairy performance in low light and night light in a city . This Lense is designed for especialy not only one big light ,but for an environment at night were you have many different smaller lights, like street lights in a city or diffuse lights in a Bar room, for music events on stage with spot lights .....this is where the Nikon 58/1.4 realy shows what its been able to. A great professional Lens of highest Quality. Oh, I almost forgot to mention , : try this lens for Astrofotography...and you will be amased how clear and round the stars are.....

[@WimBals]

Thanks!

[@Testprinz]

You have shown the advantages of this Nikon 58 mm 1.4 very well. I've been looking for a good standard lens for my Nikon Z 7 for a long time. I'm also thinking about getting a used Zeiss Otus 55 mm, which has a medium format character. But the Nikon represents a real alternative. I like the depth in bokeh that the Nikon 58 mm 1.4 delivers!

[@WimBals]

Thanks! The 58mm 1.4 is a incredible lens. Yes, there are lenses with more sharpness and better correction, but this one stands out in color rendering for skin tones and color overall. And of course the bokeh!

[@darrenp.9490]

I've already switched to the Z-series, but I will keep this lens with me forever. It's rendering of Bokeh and color is so special that I don't think the result is replicable by any other lens on the market.

[@WimBals]

Great!

[@pokornyjan]

I have also switched to Z8 and tested this lens many times, however, I still have issues with sharpness. When I shoot landscape, it is more or less OK, then I turn the camera and take a portrait and the image is always out of focus :(

[@darrenp.9490]

@@pokornyjan You can fine-tune the AF in the settings.

[@pokornyjan]

@@darrenp.9490 Thank you. Of course I did it, the lens was back focusing all the time so I had to set it to -8 in fine-tuning. Now it seems OK, but it looks like the lens has an issue when rotating the camera from landscape to portrait orientation. I don't understand why :(

[@alexabadi7458]

It is a special lens, very sharp except at f/1.4, aperture where the lens show a "soft" image (compared to the other Nikon f/1.4 prime lenses). I use that lens almost always at f/1.4, to get that "creamy" looking effect, perfect for portraits and low light ambience pictures. Shooting that lens at f/1.4 is like taking pictures after drinking some champagne, making everything smooth... If you want ULTRA SHARP pictures you can use that lens from f/2 to f/11, or use your others Nikon prime lenses. ;o)

[@WimBals]

You understand how this lens works!

[@johnhernlund539]

I regularly interact with the man who designed this lens, Sato-sensei. It has a complex field curvature, which some describe as akin to a "sombrero." This gives it a quite unique rendering, there is nothing else quite like it.

[@WimBals]

A very special lens indeed!

[@thisisbenji90]

For some reason I’m really wanting this lens for my F100. Given that it’s only “negative” is a lack of sharpness I think it would possibly be stellar on a 35mm film body.

[@WimBals]

In terms of sharpness, it is very good. It is only less sharp on the sides due to the field curvature. Anyway, I'm pretty sure you'll like this lens.

[@henryvanderspek1643]

Thanks for the enjoyable review. I look forward to trying, possibly buying, this lens one day!

[@WimBals]

Give it a try!

[@まれすけ-b3k]

I bought this lens yesterday. I’m looking forward to arriving!

[@WimBals]

Great 👍

[@Dstonephoto]

I think this lens perfectly illustrates the paradigm of tradeoffs when it comes to lens design. The images coming out of this lens are gorgeous. I think a lot of the controversy surrounding it are a result of consumer backlash and them having to come to grips with the reality that magic lenses have magic price tags. Relative to Leica this is a bargain. If I would shoot Nikon I would buy this in a heartbeat.

[@WimBals]

It is indeed an excellent lens with a beautiful character.

[@iandrucker978]

Nice review thank you. You have definitely made me want this lens...

[@WimBals]

Thanks!

[@kusai2477]

Thank you for your excellent review! Really love this lens.

[@WimBals]

Thanks

[@Capcity44]

I'd like to add that this lens has some of that Zeiss pop. It does a great rendering people and/or objects that are not on the same focal plane.

[@WimBals]

Thanks!

[@desmobob900sssp]

I have this lens and love it so far. I also watched your video on the Voigtlander 58mm. I was surprised you don't make any comparisons... How would you compare them?

[@WimBals]

The Voigtländer 58mm is qualitatively the better lens in terms of build quality compared to the Nikon 58mm. Both lenses have their own character, but if I would chose one lens, it would be the Voigtländer. Wide open, this lens is a lot sharper and has more 'bite' than the Nikon. The color reproduction is also better than the Nikon 58mm in my opinion. The disadvantage is of course the manual focus of the Voigtländer compared to the Nikon. Although wide open, the bokeh on the Nikon 58 mm is also slightly softer than the Voigt. Both lenses have their own character, but my preference is clearly for the Voigtländer For the price that the Voigtländer 58mm is offered, this is a real bargain. The ideal combination for me is the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 and the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G.

[@desmobob900sssp]

@@WimBals Thank you for your insights on the two lenses, and all your great videos. I enjoy them.

[@Daniel-px8xg]

Did you have any green fringing? I had one a few years ago and it had terrible green fringing

[@WimBals]

Unfortunately, this lens can sometimes suffer from that green fringing.

[@dalitsomz]

Thinking of getting it

[@WimBals]

Not cheap but a special lens.

[@pedrorrodriguez1]

How does this compare to the voigtlander 58mm?

[@WimBals]

This lens is easier to use thanks to the autofocus. Especially with the shallow depth of field this plays an important role. Also the bokeh of this lens is a bit creamier.

[@jessewright3728]

Thank you for your review. I own this lens and love the character that it produces. I use the lens on both film and digital. Question: how would you compare the Nikkor AF-S 58mm f/1.4g lens in quality and character to the Voigtländer NOKTON 58mm f/1.4 SL II S? I saw your review on that lens as well and it’s been one that has peaked my interest. I wasn’t sure if there was a business case to also get the Voigtländer NOKTON 58mm f/1.4 SL II S. Thanks!

[@WimBals]

Interesting question Jesse. The Voigtländer 58mm is qualitatively the better lens in terms of build quality compared to the Nikon 58mm. Both lenses have their own character, but if I would chose one lens, it would be the Voigtländer. Wide open, this lens is a lot sharper and has more 'bite' than the Nikon. The color reproduction is also better than the Nikon 58mm in my opinion. The disadvantage is of course the manual focus of the Voigtländer compared to the Nikon. Although wide open, the bokeh on the Nikon 58 mm is also slightly softer than the Voigt. Both lenses have their own character, but my preference is clearly for the Voigtländer For the price that the Voigtländer 58mm is offered, this is a real bargain.

[@jessewright3728]

@@WimBals thank you for your thoughtful feedback. I’ll be adding the Voightländer 58mm f/1.4 to my wish list then! I’m happy with the Nikkor AF-S 58mm f/1.4g. I love though having lens options to take advantage of their different use cases and character. I shoot film and digital with both vintage and modern cameras so it’s neat to see how each lens performs under each of those mediums. I look forward to keeping up with your future content.

[@miosz85]

58 mm 1.4g is best portrait lens I've ever had. It make magic bokeh and so beautyfull plastic picture.

[@WimBals]

Certainly, along with the Nikon 85mm F/1.4 G. Here's a review I made of the 85mm lens: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ_UoKltbbV2ms0

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

question is how it fares against 50 mm 1.4G.

[@WimBals]

The 58mm has a completely different character than the 50mm. Partly because of the extra 8mm, but also because of the rendering of the colors and the background. Whether it justifies the additional cost is up to you to decide.

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

@@WimBals I noticed quite some differences between the 50 1.8D and 1.4G I have. The latter, while sharp, still has a softer texture rendering, and with f/2 and higher f-stop, quite good bokeh. The 1.8D however is nicely tiny, just for this reason it sees its use every now and then. Now being able to afford higher-grade lenses I had considered 58 mm for portraits but then ordered 85 1.4G (even though I already have an AF 85 1.8, non-D lens).

[@duncanmacleod8066]

great review

[@WimBals]

Thanks 🙏

[@baronsilverton6504]

This lens is an atypical lens from Nikon. Nikon states that it is not made for sharpness, and its 'softness' seems to be what many have criticized it for and what has given it a bad rap. I have mixed feelings about this lens. It does have problems - it suffers from fairly significant chromatic aberration - especially wide open, so it is less controlled than more modern Nikkor lenses and also less sharp. But these weaknesses are also its strength. This lens produces images that have a dreamier rendition than most modern lenses (some call this character). It is true - the images have a more painterly quality than most modern images and for some types of environmental portraiture this gives an interesting effect that makes an image stand out from others. All in all, I like this lens and will keep it. I have had it a few years and shoot it from time to time on my Z6II via the FTZ adapter - like most modern F mount lenses it works better on the Z system than it did on DSLR - it now enjoys 3 axis image statbilization where before it had none and there are focusing points across the frame instead of clumped in the middle as they were on the D750 (and all DSLR's). Additionally, the lens focuses just as quickly and subject detection and eye detect AF all work well. Of all my F mount lenses, it is one of four (one of three Nikkor lenses) that I have not gotten rid of in favor of Z S line lenses (that in general are second to none). The three F mount Nikkor lenses that I have kept are this one, the 58mm 1.4 G, the 105mm 1.4 E and the 200 F2 VRI lens. The other that I have kept is the Tamron 35mm 1.4 (an outstanding lens) - I keep these because there are no Z mount lenses that serve to replace them at this time, and because these lenses all have a 'look' that cannot be replicated by other lenses. So, in this sense, I guess it is fair to say that I do really like the 58mm 1.4 G even though I only use it when I desire the 'special look' that it provides. I would suggest buying this lens used though. I bought mine refurbished from Nikon for $950 - a much better price than new at $1550. That said, mine copy was very soft - more than it usually is - and I sent it back to Nikon within the 90 day warranty period and they adjusted it. Although this was free, it was time consuming and annoying, but I still think the lens is a good deal at $950 and a little expensive at $1550 - mainly because I see it as a niche lens that shines in specific use cases but it is not an all arounder. Just my thoughts...

[@WimBals]

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation.

[@1000mileblues]

This is the greatest lens that Nikon has ever made, in my opinion. It’s magical.

[@WimBals]

I agree

[@stefan_becker]

I also love it, but it's for sure not the "greatest lens that Nikon has ever made". It has a lot of focus shift (causing soft images when used with dslrs), the plane of focus is heavily warped, it has issues with longitudinal chromatic aberrations and so on. So "technically" it's a bad lens. But the rendering of the 58mm f1.4 is extremely beautiful. So I would call it a "romantic lens".

[@ngterry9653]

I enjoy your lens review. How does the AFS 58mm compared to the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 Nokton ? In term of color rendering, bokeh, and subject separation ? Love to see a direct video comparison if possible.

[@WimBals]

I love the Voigtlander more in terms of color rendering and build quality.

[@ngterry9653]

@WimBals Nice to hear that. I own the Voigtlander for a long period of time, but sometimes I miss having an autofocus lens, this AFS 58mm comes to my mind but price is not cheap, 2 times expensive of the Voigtlander, size also quite bulky compared the manual lens.

[@WimBals]

No AF can sometimes be a pain but I would stick with the Voigtlander.

[@homesickphotographycomau4107]

love this lens it my gem

[@WimBals]

Thanks for your comment!

[@qiangli8498]

我有50f1.4。当我的好朋友要借我58用时，我想它会比50f1.4好太多吗？不过它可真贵！我还有85f1.4。它的散景会比我的85好吗？不可能吧！所以没去试试，很遗憾。我现在用50f1.8s。真心的好。85f1.4g也是真心的好，据说要出85f1.2s了😊

[@WimBals]

The 85mm f/1.4 gives a similar bokeh to the 58mm from my point of view.

[@francobenedetti1808]

a lens that requires patience to be understood. Now i love it

[@WimBals]

That’s right Franco!

[@philippthonet825]

I own it and love it.

[@WimBals]

Great!

[@williamchan8866]

Great video as usual, but to my eyes the voigtlander 58mm f1.4 looks better. Colours are cleaner looking and more pop than this nikkor. It would be great if you can do a side by side comparison.

[@WimBals]

Thanks William, I agree with you. The VOIGTLANDER NOKTON 58MM F/1.4 SLII shows more 'bite' in the photos. In addition, this lens is much better built.

[@jls2975]

Leica Summilux 50/1.4 can produce gradient in the bokeh Nikon 58mmG can't Bokeh is like a printed curtain I had the nikon and sold it I keep the Leica

[@WimBals]

Thanks for your input!

[@mrtambourineman6107]

58mm make me mad

[@WimBals]

😎