Verdict

The Nikon Z 50mm f1.4 is a pretty compact standard prime lens with a large focal ratio which weighs little more than its f1.8 sibling and is similarly priced. In my tests it showed good resolution across the full frame at longer distances when stopped down a bit and it comes with full weather sealing and a separate multi function ring. The lens also produces a bigger background blur than f1.8 lenses.

What’s not to like – apart from the missing lens pouch? Well, similar to the Z 35mm f1.4 there’s a long list where Nikon obviously had to compromise to reach the targeted price: The lens is a bit soft at f1.4 and f2.0 especially outside the center. Colour aberrations, purple fringing, coma, and vignetting is not well controlled until you stop the lens down to f2.8. Close-up shots near minimum object distance suffer from a rapid drop in resolution and contrast outside the center. But if you’re into (environmental) portraiture and people/street photography those flaws might well be acceptable. Unfortunately Bokeh of the Z 50mm f1.4 is prone to double contours which can make the background quite nervous looking.

Let’s put this into perspective and have a closer look at how the Nikon Z 50mm f1.4 compares to some alternative 50mm lenses.

Three 50mm lenses with Z-mount

Above: Voigtländer 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar, Nikon Z 50mm f1.4, Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S

Compared to Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S

The Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S is a very good lens: Resolution of fine details is better than from the Nikon Z 50mm f1.4 with better overall contrast and less haloing and spill-over of bright lights. It also delivers much better close-up performance and less field-curvature than the Z 50mm f1.4. Bokeh is quite pleasing for an f1.8 prime lens – even less nervous in the background than from the Z 50mm f1.4. But the Z 50mm f1.4 is 2/3 of a stop brighter and also has separate focus and multi-function rings which I personally prefer. With price and size being comparable deciding between both lenses is a tough task. If you want/need more light collecting power go for the Z 50mm f1.4, if you value better optical performance the Z 50mm f1.8 S has the advantage.

For more details see my Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Viltrox AF 50mm f1.8

The Viltrox AF 50mm f1.8 can currently be bought for less than half the price of the Nikon Z 50mm f1.4 and comes with a dedicated aperture ring. But the lens lacks any form of weather sealing, reaches only 1:10 maximum magnification, and shows strong distortions when focusing closer. It’s also relatively soft wide open which makes it more adept for street photography or environmental portraiture than for shooting landscapes or architecture where it needs to be stopped down to f5.6 or even f8.0 for really sharp images across the full frame. But looking at the low price those flaws might well be acceptable.

For more details see my Viltrox AF 50mm f1.8 review where the lens came Recommended.

Compared to Voigtländer 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar

Voigtländer’s APO-Lanthar is my current benchmark in optical (and mechanical) quality for 50mm lenses. It’s an excellent lens with high contrast, superb resolution, and very well controlled color aberrations which can easily be used wide open in 180MP pixel-shift shooting. And it has a solid metal build with silky-smooth focus operation plus one compelling feature over rival lenses: It has specially designed aperture blades which enable beautiful sunstars even at f2.2. But the lens is one stop slower than the Z 50mm f1.4 which also limits its Bokeh. So, choices are easy: If you want/need the faster focal ratio and autofocus get the Z 50mm f1.4. If you want the best possible optical performance and are able to focus manually with precision the Voigtländer 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar is a great alternative.

For more details see my Voigtländer 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Nikon Z 50mm f1.2 S

Nikon’s Z 50mm f1.2 S is the elephant in the room – quite literally: It is excessively big, 2.5x as heavy and 4x as expensive as the Z 50mm f1.4. But for that it offers an extra bright f1.2 focal ratio, very good optics and a much better Bokeh. So if you go all out on the brightest focal ratio and a smooth Bokeh, the Z 50mm f1.2 S is for you. Just keep in mind that it is quite heavy on your neck and your wallet.

For more details see my Nikon Z 50mm f1.2 S review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Nikon Z 50mm f1.4 final verdict

Nikon’s Z 50mm f1.4 is an interesting addition to their f1.4 line of Z-mount prime lenses and shares many characteristics with the Z 35mm f1.4: It’s affordable, light and relatively small, offers a 2/3 stop better light gathering power over the Z 50mm f1.8 S, and has a separate focus and control ring. And the Z 50mm f1.4 shows good to very good resolution once stopped down a bit. But wide open color aberrations and coma are not well controlled, close-up performance is weak, there’s heavy vignetting, and the lens has a nervous Bokeh. But weighing these deficiencies against the benefits I can still recommend the Z 50mm f1.4 based on its good price-performance ratio.

Good points:

• Compact and light-weight build.
• Good to very good resolution once stopped down a bit.
• Weather sealing, separate multi function ring.
• Good price-performance ratio.

Bad points:

• Quite soft wide open.
• Nervous Bokeh.
• Colour aberrations, purple fringing, blue haloing, coma at larger apertures.
• Weak close-up performance.
• Heavy vignetting wide open – even with lens-profile.