Lens Review: AF 50mm f/1.4 D

Lens Review: 50mm f/1.4 D

Thoughts and Opinions:

This is a magnificent lens.  As mentioned in my 50mm f/1.8 D review, I sold the f/1.8 so that I could upgrade to get the f/1.4D.  And was it ever worth it.  

The lens has a nice shallow depth of field and it is very sharp at f/1.4.  Focuses nice, fast and quietly on my D90.  I have had no major complaints with it at all.   It is nice and small so it isn't a scary lens to have on your camera for shy portraits.  Also it fits quite nicely in my camera bag.  

I like this lens because it a a great focal length for what I do.  On a D90 it is more like a 75mm which is nice for portraits but you can still get 1-3 people in the photo.  It is very good for having at an event where you need a small lens to be discrete.  It is also good for portraits for the same reason.  

It doesn't come with a lens hood which is sort of annoying but you just have to make sure no one bumps into it.  I still use my lens hoods inside so that it helps prevent people touch the front of my lens.  Which has happened before at a party.  I looked down at my lens after showing some of the photos I had taken. One of the girls in the group helped to hold my camera and left a nice finger print on the filter..  As for blocking out sun rays, I have not used it outside yet so I am not sure what the flares and ghosts are like.  If they are bad I will edit this post to discuss outside use for this lens.

Usage:

I have taken portraits with this lens as well as used it at events.  It is a good lens for being discrete as I have mentioned and it is a very sharp lens.  It is great for low light scenarios.  I used this lens at a concert and it did really well to capture the light.

Pros:

- Small

- Very sharp

- Smooth and quiet focusing

- Large aperture

- Lightweight

Cons:

- No supplied lens hood

Sample Images:

Portrait - 50mm f/1.4D

Portrait - 50mm f/1.4D

Portrait - 50mm f/1.4D

Portrait - 50mm f/1.4D



Flickr Set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomjbh/sets/72157626016219574/

Conclusions: 

All and all a very good lens.  It is a step up from the f/1.8 D however if you do not have the extra money to upgrade to the f/1.4 D, then just get/keep the f/1.8 because it is a very good lens as well.  But if you do have the extra money it is a good upgrade.  I thought it was worth it.  Also it is my only f/1.4 glass at the moment and it is very nice.  

So if you do portraits or events and need a small fast lens this is a good one.  However for the reasons I  love it are drawbacks during a large event because you will be able to take large group shots with the 50mm.  

A 50mm as most people would say is a classic lens that everyone should have.  It is a sharp, simple and fun lens to have.  You can use a 50mm for pretty much any type of photography.  


Rating: Overall 4.5/5


Portrait: 4.5/5
Low Light: 4.9/5
Overall: 4.5/5