Nikon adds another welcome addition to its Z lineup of lenses today with the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4.
Aside from the holy trinity of Z lenses, a fast 50mm prime lens is almost always my first prime lens purchase when buying into a camera system. Why? The 50mm focal length is just so versatile. While some might quibble by a millimeter here or there, it is generally accepted that a 50mm lens is basically “normal” in terms of how the human eye sees the world. As I said, there will no doubt be some who disagree with that statement, but for me at least, 50mm has always been the focal length I go with when I want to present the world as it is. None of the unnatural barrel distortion you sometimes get with wider lenses. Not so telephoto that you feel you are unnaturally close to your subject. The 50mm sits right there in the middle—pleasing bokeh with a naturalistic feel.
Nikon has offered two variations on the fast 50 so far. There’s the original Z 50mm f/1.8 S, an awesome all-purpose lens. This is the first prime I bought in the Nikon Z system to go with my original Z6. Then, there is the king of the castle, the Z 50mm f/1.2 S, the premium lens in the 50mm lineup. It ups the ante in terms of both cost and quality. And, at 2.4 lbs., it also ups the ante on weight. But you get what you pay for, and that lens seems to be a favorite for anyone who has had the pleasure of shooting with it.
That being said, Nikon has not rested on its laurels. Instead, today, they have announced a new addition to the 50mm family, the Z 50mm f/1.4. It is meant to be a more lightweight and affordable variant on the familiar focal length. It offers a close focusing distance of 14.5 inches, a nine-blade diaphragm for pleasing bokeh, near-silent operation in video production with a clickless control ring and STM motor, weather sealing to make it dust and drip resistant, and suppressed focus breathing.
I haven’t yet gotten my hands on this lens to test in person, but I’m excited about the potential of this lens as an affordable everyday option. At an MSRP of $499.95, the lens is lightweight (420 g) with a wide aperture. Nikon says the lens should be available in late September.
So, what do you think? Is this a lens you are looking to add to your kit?
