Nikon 58mm f1.4: I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is...

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

machia Loc: NJ

kenpic wrote:

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

I still have my old Rokkor 58 mm f 1.4 . The mm of 58 on a SLR or a full frame DSLR allows you to capture exactly what you see , so I suppose the human eye has a focal length of 58 mm . And at f 1.4 there is plenty of light and the bokkeh is beautifully soft . If the Nikon performs like the Rokkor I would highly recommend this lens .

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

kenpic wrote:

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

I have, and use, the 50mm 1.4. I also use the 24-70 2.8.
But, I have been reading and thinking about the 58mm 1.4 for some time. Just yesterday, GAS won out, and I placed the order. It will arrive on Monday, in time for holiday images of the grandkids. I am intrigued by the reviews that the 58mm 1.4 is unique. I will soon know if it was worth the price. Damn, GAS is overpowering, and insidious.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

kenpic wrote:

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

I have not used the 58mm f/1.4, but I do have the 50mm f/1.4. It is my favorite lens and the one I use the most, it's my walk around lens.

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

My Nikon rep told me that their main lens designer has been working on this lens for several years and it's his pet project.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

kenpic wrote:

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

While I'm confident the 58mm is a grand lens, I opted for the 50mm f/1.4 at a fourth of the money, and got closer focus to boot. I can't believe there's that much difference between these two lenses (but, open to having my mind changed). Just a thought.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

brucewells wrote:

While I'm confident the 58mm is a grand lens, I opted for the 50mm f/1.4 at a fourth of the money, and got closer focus to boot. I can't believe there's that much difference between these two lenses (but, open to having my mind changed). Just a thought.

I read Ken Rockwell's review of this lens the other day and let's just say he is not a big fan. He also recommends the 50 f/1.4 over this lens (the 58mm).

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

flip1948 wrote:

I read Ken Rockwell's review of this lens the other day and let's just say he is not a big fan. He also recommends the 50 f/1.4 over this lens (the 58mm).

I likely got my info from there. I will always see what he has to say about an item I'm contemplating. (He's not the only source I use.) I just remember deciding that the next f/1.4 prime I spend this amount of money on will be the 85mm. But, that's just me, and my mind can always be changed. :-)

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

brucewells wrote:

I likely got my info from there. I will always see what he has to say about an item I'm contemplating. (He's not the only source I use.) I just remember deciding that the next f/1.4 prime I spend this amount of money on will be the 85mm. But, that's just me, and my mind can always be changed. :-)

I read Rockwell, but make no decisions based on his reviews alone.
The 85mm 1.4 was the first prime I bought after the 50mm 1.4. The 85mm is a great lens, worth the price.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Kmgw9v wrote:

I read Rockwell, but make no decisions based on his reviews alone.
The 85mm 1.4 was the first prime I bought after the 50mm 1.4. The 85mm is a great lens, worth the price.

I have to believe it. Maybe one day.

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

Nikon is probably trying to recreate the magic of its first fast lens back in 1959 when they introduced the famous camera F. This original 58mm f/1.4 was on the market for only three years and was replaced in 1962 by the 50mm f/1.4 which has seen many changes and remains the basic fast lens to this day. Move as close as 2' to your subject and you have something like a macro lens, as you move away, you begin to have a telephoto. Take several consecutive shots, blend them using photo-merge and you get a spectacular panoramic picture.
It's still the best all around lens and it's light to carry, inexpensive, and has always been sharp.
Sarantis

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

ssymeono wrote:

Nikon is probably trying to recreate the magic of ... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

kenpic wrote:

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

if you want something truly exceptional and specialist, then there is nothing like the 58mm f1:1.2 noct-nikkor. get that, then you are truly in the big leagues.

Leitz Loc: Solms

kenpic wrote:

I am shooting with a D700, and had been leaning toward getting a 50mm, probably the 1.8. However, I have discovered the 58mm, f1.4. Does anyone have this lens and is it worth the price? I have a serious case of GAS. (I already have the 24-70 f2.8, non VR version.)

There is one listed now in the classified section. $1200. USD.

19104 Loc: Philadelphia

A normal lens is the lens that gives the least distorion with a given format, or looks the most normal. It is detemined by the diagonal of the film or sensor. Over the years they have made so called normal lens in the range of 45mm to 58mm (for 35mm cameras). I own and regularly use a 50 f1.8 its a great lens. I really want a 50 F 1.4 ( plus the 35 f1.4 and 24 f 1.4) to go with the 85 F 1.4 which i trully love, but family obigations come first.

machia wrote:

I still have my old Rokkor 58 mm f 1.4 . The mm of 58 on a SLR or a full frame DSLR allows you to capture exactly what you see , so I suppose the human eye has a focal length of 58 mm . And at f 1.4 there is plenty of light and the bokkeh is beautifully soft . If the Nikon performs like the Rokkor I would highly recommend this lens .