Nikon 58mm 1.4: Anyone have experience with the Nikon 58mm 1.4? If so, how good is it?

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Anyone have experience with the Nikon 58mm 1.4? If so, how good is it?

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

One of my personal friends, Andrew Hancock, is a Nikon Ambassador. He has told me that it is one of his favorite lenses. He uses it a lot on a Df and D4s. He is published quite often especially in Sports Illustrated (covers).

Kmgw9v wrote:

Anyone have experience with the Nikon 58mm 1.4? If so, how good is it?

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I have one, and it was my "go to" lens in film days. I no longer use it since I switched to Canon digital more than a decade ago. My niece wants it now - I'll give it to her soon - it is a clear, sharp, very fast lens. It is also useable as a macro when reversed.

OldEarl Loc: Northeast Kansas

They were pretty common among photojournalists in the 60s. The extra length helped with portrait perspective--though I preferred the f/1.8 85 mm or f/2.5 105mm. If you are shooting crop its rough equivalent is the 85.

I think it was replaced by the 50mm f/1.4 and I did not see any after 1980.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have used this lens, courtesy of Nikon, for a very short time. No surprises, it was a winner. It's on my list!

I am assuming that you are talking about the NEW 58/1.4 G N!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

cjc2 wrote:

I have used this lens, courtesy of Nikon, for a very short time. No surprises, it was a winner. It's on my list!

I am assuming that you are talking about the NEW 58/1.4 G N!

Yes, I am asking about the new one--the expensive one. I have read good reviews, and it is on my list too. But for that much money, I question if it is that much different than a 50mm 1.4G. It is relatively small--would fit nicely on a Df.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Kmgw9v wrote:

Yes, I am asking about the new one--the expensive one. I have read good reviews, and it is on my list too. But for that much money, I question if it is that much different than a 50mm 1.4G. It is relatively small--would fit nicely on a Df.

That question is hard for me to answer. I have both the older 50/1.4D and the newer 50/1.4G. Both are excellent lenses. The major reason that I purchased the new one was that I wanted the built-in focus motor for sports. The 58 is a N series lens as well so it should perform better at the corners on a full frame. We'll see just how much I use the fifty for indoor sports this year and go from there. I also happen to have the newer 85/1.4G which I bought when it first was released to replace my older 1.8D version. I don't think that I could take a bad portrait with this lens -- it is fantastic. I am also using it quite a bit for indoor sports this season, so i'm not sure I need the 58 as well. Oh well, one can never have enough equipment and he with the most toys wins! Happy Holidays to ALL!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

cjc2 wrote:

That question is hard for me to answer. I have bo... (show quote)

Because I own the 50 1.4G, I probably don't need the 58 mm, but I am giving serious thought to it. These G.A.S. attacks are sometimes painful. But, as you say, one can never have enough equipment--good lenses especially.
I also own the 85 1.4 G, and agree--it is fantastic.
Happy Holidays to all.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

Kmgw9v wrote:

Because I own the 50 1.4G, I probably don't need the 58 mm, but I am giving serious thought to it. These G.A.S. attacks are sometimes painful. But, as you say, one can never have enough equipment--good lenses especially.

If you are really jazzed about this lens you should stay far away from Ken Rockwell's review.

His thoughts in a nutshell:

"Therefore, I see that this 58/1.4G will become wildly popular with weekend shooters who make too much money at other jobs during the week. For serious shooting, I prefer the 50/1.4G; I see no benefit to this lens other than improving Nikon's profits for shareholders."

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

This is ironic because I decided to play with my 1959 version of the 58mm 1.4 last week. I always thought it was an incredible lens but an odd focal length. It works on my d5000 (in manual, but it only worked in manual on my F, too) It's still an incredible lens, but not exactly a walk-around lens. I know this has nothing to do with the question, but it is interesting that Nikon would re-introduce something that had been discontinued so long ago.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

flip1948 wrote:

If you are really jazzed about this lens you should stay far away from Ken Rockwell's review.

His thoughts in a nutshell:

"Therefore, I see that this 58/1.4G will become wildly popular with weekend shooters who make too much money at other jobs during the week. For serious shooting, I prefer the 50/1.4G; I see no benefit to this lens other than improving Nikon's profits for shareholders."

I don't disagree. The 58 mm has appeal, but it is too expensive. Still, I wish I owned one.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

flip1948 wrote:

If you are really jazzed about this lens you should stay far away from Ken Rockwell's review.

His thoughts in a nutshell:

"Therefore, I see that this 58/1.4G will become wildly popular with weekend shooters who make too much money at other jobs during the week. For serious shooting, I prefer the 50/1.4G; I see no benefit to this lens other than improving Nikon's profits for shareholders."

That's his opinion and he's entitled too it! Perhaps he's upset because Nikon didn't give him one! It will make no matter in my decision, although this lens is not near the top of my gear/gas list at the moment.