Z 50mm f/1.8 S vs F MOUNT 50mm - Review

[@marleenvandam6931]

The 50 S lens was my first intro on the Z6 into Nikon Z and I was just blown away of the qualtities of this lens.

[@robertholloway6887]

Got a 50 1.4 G which I kept for my F6, Z mount now. Z6ii, Z9, 14-30,24-70, 70-200, 20mm, 105mm MC, 50 1.8 in transit to me now and the 400 4.5 on order. It took me years to amas my f mount cameras and lenses, sold the lot in December went fully Z mount and have never looked back. Wasn't going to buy the 50 but watched Matt Irwin's review and couldn't say no, Thanks to Kon and Becky for pitting me on to Matt, I'm gradually going through his entire catalogue. Great review and great vlog as usual.

[@Gr1ff1D0]

I have the 1.8G which I am keeping for my F-mount cameras. The S 50mm even on the Z6ii is IMHO significantly better in the way the colour, sharpness and focus works. I was not expecting much of a difference, but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of results.

[@kevingoza]

Love the way you guys interact in your reviews. Great presentation!

[@salester26]

so which lens would be the first purchase if you had the f mount 50mm f/1.8g?

[@davewalker5706]

Never had the F 50s but love my Z 50 f1.8.love shooting with fast primes and that Z 50 is a perfect street photography companion

[@nickcucchiara]

Great video, 1.4 G here and nice to see the differences. No mirrorless on my end yet and happy with my lens as is on my D850.

[@kaminobatto]

I think one inportant factor you guys did not discuss is that CA is waaaaaay better controlled in the Z lens. I have all three, and CA is almost nonexistent in the Z lens wide open while it definitely shows in the other two. That said, I love CA! It's part of a lens' character for me, and I only use the Z 50 when I want that extra punch of sharpness and cleanliness. However, when I want character, I go with either of the other two, or even a 58 1.4G too over the Z 50.

[@BennyBlawnk]

I'm new at photography my first camera is the Z6 with the 50mm 1.8. What is CA? Because I was thinking of selling the Z mount 50 for a 50 F mount since it's much cheaper.

[@kaminobatto]

@@BennyBlawnk Chromatic aberration which is unnatural color fringing (green or purple) around contrasting edges in your photos. If you do not shoot with your aperture wide open you can get rid of it usually by stopping down.

[@rjpg]

The daisy shot and the profile pics proved that the Z50 1.8 is definitely sharper. Good vid, tks!

[@clintonsteephen9509]

Does anyone have a tight at mount on f1.8 50 mm

[@baronsilverton6504]

There is no comparison between the 50mm1.8S and either of the F mount lenses - the Z lens smokes both of the other ones. Actually the 50 1.8 G is known to be sharper than the 1.4 G which was never a very sharp lens - many preferred the 1.8 G to the 1.4 G. The new 50 1.8 S is the best 50mm bar none for the price and competes competently against lenses that are over $2000 - it has been compared to Zeiss lenses. It is also just about as sharp as the 50mm 1.2 S lens so if you are getting the 1.2 it is strictly for low light and shallower DOF - and yes I have owned and used all of these lenses - now I only have the two S versions having sold the F mount stuff. Also if you really want a budget lens and this is what is stopping from getting the 50mm S lens then just get the 40mm f/2 from Nikon it is light, less expensive, very sharp (definitely as good - probably better than the F mount lenses), it doesn't focus breathe - and was budget lens of the year for a reason - I have every Z mount prime lens to date (except the 58 Noct) and I often use the 40mm for walk around and casual photography - it is really good.

[@bmwohl]

Thank you, guys. Great video for me. I have F mount 50s including 1.8; 1.4 and 2.0 but I still splurged for the Z 50 1.8 during NikonUSA's recent sale. Becky, I think you would really appreciate the Peak Design waist belt for your pack. The pack would ride higher and better.

[@briantafelmeyer7337]

Would you apply the same logic to the 85z f/1.8 over the 85 f/1.4 f mount?

[@tedk2814]

Wonderful to see England's country side especially the apothecary garden this week, I am going to read about it. My wife and I live in Florida but we both have a keen interest in the history of Britain and have studied the period from about 40 BC to 400 Ad. Love the countryside with rock fences. Anyhow I recently sold my 35mm 1.8 G and 50mm 1.8 G as I now have a Z6 and a Z9. This was a informative video, thanks to both of you.

[@Ian1957a]

Another great video. I got the Z 50 1.8 for my Z6 at the time you had an unbeatable price back in November 2020 so it was silly not to buy. What you did not say was how quiet the Z 50mm compared with F 50mm 1.8 which makes much more suitable if you are going to use for video as well as stills. At the time I purchased it I was using it for Zoom meetings. Sometimes it is good just to go out with a 50mm prime forces you to be a little more creative. Thanks for the review.

[@RobertJones-zv1hw]

I’ve bought a Nikon Z5 used. Very pleased with it. I own the Nikon 50 1.8 G adapted. I tried the 50 1.8 S and felt it was easier to capture the image with less thought, but I chose to invest in a different native Z lens. I miss the 1.8 S, but I’m saving up to either purchase it or get 85 1.8S, which I heard is equally impressive

[@petergunndetective]

Haven't bought a z mount camera yet but already picked up the 50 1.8s. I shoot 50 all the time in studio on my D850 and have always wanted a higher quality option. The S really answered that for me... Now just need to pick a camera to put it on.

[@mikedeloye8060]

Great comparison! Becky while you were modeling for the shots I had a flash back to when that lady did your hair and makeup an posed you in studio for your head shots, she would be proud!!!!!!!!!!

[@AttilaAntalAAS]

For me, the F 24-70/2.8 has been my favourite lens on the D800 for 12 years. I also bought the Z 24-70/2.8 for my current Z8. Since I got this Z 50/1.8, I don't want to take it off the camera, I love it so much :-) Amazing image quality at the edges too, serves the 46MPixel well.

[@neesel]

Thx for the video. Where did you get that t-shirt with the rabbit? I love it.

[@nk-oi3oo]

I picked brand new for Canadian $ 450. Love the quality.

[@victorlim5077]

I have the nifty fifty 50mm F1.8G but never loved it. Just didn't have the wide open sharpness. Even the 35mm F1.8G was better. Happy to hear the 50mm F1.8 Z lens is sharp wide open.

[@57sapke]

Thanks for the video. I use my 50mm 1.8G with extension tubes for macro on my D850

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

Thanks for the update. Where we you guys when I brought my Z 50mm f/1.8 lens. I already had a F mount one and was excited about the Z series one. I should had saved my money and stayed with the F mount version. But honesty, I don't like using the F mount adaptor. It adds extra weight and length. Overall, I am happy with the Z 50mm F/1.8 mount lens.

[@omniconcepts_7275]

I have a Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8s Lens mounted to a FTZII adapter W/ Nikon Z5. I am pleased with quality of images I am getting . Lovely modeling demonstration.

[@israelmacario3853]

I have the 50 f1.8 g that was sold with the df camera. I got it used it goes great with my zfc. I will stick with that until I go full frame

[@PaulCornish]

Please put the images side by side for the comparison.

[@SAllanBain]

Much as I'd like another 50mm lens I already have 8: (a 1.4D, a 1.4G and a 1.8E, plus 5 1980's era Pentax 1.4,1.7, and F2 lenses). Another one might seem excessive. I've had results that I was very pleased with using the 1.4G on my Z6 and would probably use it more except I'm continually blown away by the results from my 24-70 F4 S lens. I agree with the comment about Z lenses all being larger because of how close the sensor is to the flange. I still use my Pentax M series 35mm kit because sometimes I don't want to be lugging large and heavy equipment around; even when I know that I will get super sharp results from the Z series kit, or that my F5 will nail the 35mm film shot every time. I'd be surprised, and impressed, if the 1.8S focuses as fast as my F mount 1.4D does on a Nikon F5. I'd love to know for sure if it is faster.

[@randallbrander8157]

Failed to mention that you were shooting on an APSC/DX Camera with a 1.5 crop. So I own all of the Z F/1.8 S Primes and my first choice was the 85mm. 50mm was my second choice than the 35mm. Nikkor Z Primes are FABULOUS in my opinion and well worth the price. I have the 50mm on the most important camera view of my studio setup. The Puppy Cam. 🐕 Love your videos and stream. Stay Safe and Keep Smiling! Cheers!

[@perandersen2015]

I believe they shot with the Z6 all the time, at the least for the tests we get to see. The Zfc was not in use for these tests.

[@Pantheragem]

@@perandersen2015 There's no Z fc at all in this video I'm pretty sure. Becky is carrying her FM2. Yeah it looks like they had 2 Z6.

[@perandersen2015]

@@Pantheragem Ha, ha. Yeah I can see that I was fooled by the look of the camera Becky had on her. So Nikon obviously did a great job making an Zfc that looked like the older silver bodies (FM I guess but from a distance FM and FM2 look alike :-) )

[@randallbrander8157]

@@perandersen2015 I believe they used Becky's Z50 and maybe the Zfc which Kon was holding. Sam was using the cell phone for the stream since it was at 720p.

[@randallbrander8157]

@@perandersen2015 When I viewed this video it was 720p thinking they were using the cell phone. I hate when they release their content before it is fully rendered. The 4k version is awesome!

[@chrishilton6378]

Nice video. A little while back I did a hard comparison of 50mm Nikon offerings and found the Z 50mm f/1.8 and the f/1.2 to be very close in quality and leaps and bounds better than the older offerings. I ended up with the f/1.2 in a no compromise moment and because I never owned a 1.2 in my life until that one. All that said, I think all of these are great and can produce some nice shots in the right hands. Thanks for this and I can't wait to see the 85mm version... HINT HINT

[@madst7521]

Same here. 50 f/1.2 is a dream compared to my old 1.4G.

[@nigel8uk]

I do have the 50mm z 1.8, and do love it 😀 you've got to remember that it is the collective design of over 80 years of development of Nikon lenses. Only thing I don't like is the size of it, funny really when you consider the 50mm 1.8 G with adaptor are around the same size 🤔. Its a pity they couldn't make it more like the 40mm f2 z in size?

[@rachelg7371]

Would like to have seen results from the S lens with the FTZ adapter.

[@JasonLorette]

The Z 50mm 1.8 was the lens I bought with my Z6II, its a fantastic lens, so sharp. I now have it and the Z 24-120 F4. Love to see the PD bags! :)

[@Keith80027]

Interesting how under exposed the Z1.8 was over the two G lens. I have a 50mm F1.4 G lens from my DSLR days and find it very worth keeping and saving the cost of new lens that I can use on other stuff I don't have. I so glad that Nikon offered the FTZ mount. I did get the 85mm F1.2 Z lens because my older 85mm f1.4 doesn't work on Z cameras and I love it. I might buy the 50mm F1.2 for portraits latter, but it so big compare to what I have now it likely not going to happen.

[@DixonLu]

A boomer's view: 50mm used to be kit lens to get people started. Now the 50 is a premium lens (1.8S is ~5x the price of the 1.8D). Putting plastic high f# zoom lenses in starter kits that don't provide better results than the phones won't draw in any new creatives.

[@cindyweber4692]

Awesome video! I love my 50 mm s for my z6ii.

[@PedroLauridsenRibeiro]

I'm rocking a D850, so no 1.8S for me yet (I may get there once the Z6 II gets either an Expeed 7 in a future upgrade or a really juicy discount, so I can get it as a second camera), but I do have both the 1.4G and the 1.8D. Thing is, I do prefer the 1.8D to the 1.4G - the former just renders better, distorts less, has less CA and (dare I say) seems to be slightly sharper wide open, even though it flares a lot and focuses quite a bit slower. I rarely use the 1.4G at all - in fact, I've been entertaining the idea of either selling it for the 1.8G (maybe the special edition made for the Df - is there any optical difference w.r.t. the original 1.8G, by the way?) or just plain selling it and adapting a Leica Summilux-R manual-focus lens to F mount (the flange distances are so close to each other, it just amounts to changing the bayonet).

[@WimBals]

I've also had the 50mm F/1.8G and 50mm F/1.4G. For me, the 50mm F/1.8 D is also the best. This inexpensive lens gives a natural rendering. Even better: for manual focus I prefer the Voigtlander 58mm F/1.4, during a review I compared it with the 50mm F/1.8G kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ2ai4hme9aXl7c

[@PedroLauridsenRibeiro]

@@WimBals thanks, good to know about the Voigtländer 58mm f/1.4. I've mentioned the Summilux-R because I happen to have one already (I still currently use it with film), I don't necessarily recommend buying it because these Leica lenses for the defunct R system are in increasing demand by the video/cine people who are adapting them, so they are no longer much less expensive than the equivalent Leica M-system lenses.

[@a.k.8150]

A review Nikkor Z 50mm vs the Voigtländer Apo Lanthar 50mm would be nice.

[@bobbowring1702]

I am in 2 minds wether to stay with my D600 amd D7200 with a variety of lenses or change over to the lighter system. I keep watching and its making it hard to decide.

[@TheWillRogers]

I think tossing the 40mm F2 in to compare with the 50mm 1.8G would have been a solid inclusion.

[@nerwin]

I have both the 40 f2 and 50 1.8 S, I also did have the 50 1.8G too which I quite enjoyed. The 40 f/2 is a nice compromise for the size and price compared to the 50 1.8G, its gonna have better AF as its native mount. But its cheaper made, plastic mount and not as weather sealed as the 50 1.8G. After using the 40 f2, I find the 50 1.8 S just better in every way as it should be. Its an S line lens, I shoot wide open a lot as I'm in low light much of the time so when I used the 40 f/2 wide open, its not that great. Its softer, there's a lot of fringing, chromatic aberrations, etc whereas the 50 1.8 S is just perfect and bokeh is so much smoother and pleasing to the eye. But if you wanted a small 50mm like lens with native mount, the 40 f2 is a great option and for most people it can do 85 percent of what the 50 1.8 S can do but overall, I just prefer the look I get with the 50 1.8 S and its reliable in terms of auto focus, the 40 f/2 struggles. Just my two cents :D

[@MrSimonj1970]

@@nerwin Totally agree - the 40mm is only sharp from 2.8, and there's a big difference between 40/2.8 and 50/1.8, I'm returning my 40mm and getting the 50 - it's an amazing lens for the price (£430 used)

[@Bob4golf1]

I bought the Z 40mm f/2 for $250 US rather than the Z 35mm F/1.8 for a lot more. Would love you to do a review of the 40mm.

[@debramercaldo4945]

Great video. I really like the Z 50 1.8S. I stopped using the older f 50s once I moved to a mirror less. I think the native lens is better and faster.

[@Biker_Gremling]

I own the 50mm f1.4 G lens and I'm not a fan for it's use on digital bodies. Too unsharp and too much vignetting wide open. However, on film it's another animal and looks fantastic. Also, very well weather sealed. Overall, my go-to lens to use with my F6.

[@KyleClements]

I love my 50mm 1.8D, but my 50mm 1.8S is leagues beyond it.

[@steventhomas231]

I do enjoy the walkabout videos. The s lens definitely has more contrast. I have the old 50 1.8g with the adapter and have just ordered the 40mm f2 so will see which I like best for a walk around lens.

[@superuser13]

Get the Z 50mm f1.8s it is well worth the money. The quality is outstanding.

[@teohrvojeorsanic4156]

Without any doubt 50/1,8 Z is the best nifty fifty lens from Nikon I ever had. And I have had them a lot. I started my photography journey with Nikon Ftn and Nikkor 50/1,4...

[@Happy_Snapper]

What Z lens would Becky go for first? Love the videos guys 👏

[@deanzat]

Even on KZbin, the difference in chromatic aberration is noticeable. Like noise, this comes down to personal tolerance, but I'm finding the Z lenses produce images that are stunningly better in my clients' variety of publications (print and online, and even though the older ones weren't bad at all). I've got a nice selection of F-mount fast primes for sale on craigslist, by the way...(Ventura, CA)

[@johnhjic2]

Hello Both, I know the 50mm prime lenses do nothing for me, as I am sticking with my 23mm-70mm f2,8 Z mount, what Becky just said was interesting yes we can and do use all my/your F mount lenses with hour Z cameras but, what I am finding is not only are the Z mount lenses are sharper, lighter and quicker auto focusing that any lenses with the FTz and one other point is camera balance with the FTz adaptor it does make your camera feel front heavy, a bit. Keep well, keep safe and have fun life is too short.

[@dr.dilipdesarker8118]

Good helping video, Thanks a lot.

[@AshBashSneakers]

Late upload for a uk channel.. but I’m here for it

[@LiamFyfe]

Z 50 1.8 is an incredible lens! Beautiful rendition, it’s permanently on my z7ii… best combo

[@koenpijpersphotography]

I have used both the 50mm 1.8 G and the new Z version om my Z6. I must say it just is so much sharper, better color rendition, almost no chromatic aberration. I own 5 Z lenses and the 50mm is just the sharpest. Get that one if you own a Z body.

[@jackyyao8231]

50 sharp than85？

[@koenpijpersphotography]

@@jackyyao8231 not tested that one but I think it is.

[@Hexlord]

For the price of the Z version 50mm, it jolly well be better! Otherwise it would be a waste of money lol. I am still happy with the DSLR lenses. More budget friendly.

[@TheGreatLoco]

I like my 50mm 1.4G, and wouldn’t say the difference from 1.8 is only splitting hairs, when shot wide open.

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video 📹

[@robertjohnson3980]

i have owned the 50mm 1.8g and the 1.4g and truthfully i didnt like either one, now i have a 50mm 1.4 d screw focus and its the sharpest of the 3.

[@MartinSh429]

I have 1.8s and 1.4G and I can tell on a Z mount Nikon body, G is horribly not sharp. either I didn't know how sharp a 50mm can be before or it was better on my previous D750. I just know that I was happy with my lens until I switched to Z6ii and my poor 50mm 1.4G became garbage all of a sudden.

[@MrSimonj1970]

This is the only average review of this lens I've seen - everyone else rates it very highly indeed.

[@vijeshc5633]

Any 50mm among these lenses would do right if it is for stills. But for shooting videos definitely the 1.8s.

[@MrSimonj1970]

No, the older lenses are dogshit wide open, even in the centre.

[@robertleidner9703]

Nikon needs 1.4 glass for z mount. It’s. Better balance to bokeh and weight. 1.2 is way too heavy to carry on a wedding day

[@perandersen2015]

Great Becky and Kon! I have the Z50 f1.8 S as well and it is the best 50 I have ever had. I had the 50 1.8G and it was good but the Z lenses has some snap to the pictures and a very very nice rendering of the bokeh. The F version is good but - for me at the least - only half as good as the Z version.

[@biglebowski3486]

The G version has more soul and character

[@Azeemmerchant]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ALWH1314]

I adapted 50mm f1.4, focus is loud and slow but it’s good enough to use it until a Z 50mm f2,4 comes out. Z50mm f1.8 is too big and pricy for what it does.

[@jcben]

The new lens is a heast but hard to justify the expanse

[@cannotthinkofoneatth]

she’s beautiful!

[@EugeneMaynard]

👍🏾🙏🏾