Use many Nikon prime lenses on my Nikon D4 and on the Nikon F5. The sharpest lens is always the Nikon AF DC 105mm f/2D. Than the Nikon AF DC 135mm f/2D and third the Nikon AF 85mm f/1.4D IF. Every time it’s razor sharp.
The 105mm f2/D has a lot of focus shift, at least if you use the defocus ring (not setting it to zero). Unfortunately focus shift is worst at the most interesting setting: f2.8 and f2.8 rear. Try it on your own, if you don't believe me. Put the lens on a tripod and use for example a Spyder LensCal as focus target. At 2m distance the focus shift can be 10-15cm to the front when used at f2.8 and rear 2.8 dc. However at that settings the lens renders the most beautiful images. Unfortunately I can use it in that mode only adapted on my Sony A7rV with manual focus and focus peaking. On Nikon dslrs the focus shift is so strong that it cannot be micro adjusted enough to the rear to get critically sharp images.
Appreciate your review, but don't agree re: what you said about buying a 1.4 just to shoot at 1.4. The fast aperture is but one component of what makes a lens attractive and in reality (for me personally) is seldom actually used wide open. At least part of the appeal of getting a 1.4 is that by f/2 it's performing at peak sharpness, whereas an f/2 might need to be at 2.8 to attain optimal performance, a 2.8 lens at 3.5, etc. I can appreciate that there's legions of people out there who are addicted to shooting wide open all the time, but never saw the appeal myself- I prefer for my photos to actually be in focus and instead using methods other than the gears shortcomings for artistic effect. Anyways, I must be in the minority, because I really didn't like the 105 1.4E ED- I sold it within two weeks. When I try to put into words what I didn't like it, I struggle to come up with anything because on paper it had most everything (only bested in sharpness by a couple others, one of which is MF)... but I guess you could chock it up to me simply not liking the overall rendering, rendering being a pretty difficult-to-quantify and ultimately abstract and subjective thing. But I just got the 58 1.4G today after hearing great things about it and can already tell I'll enjoy it much more than the 105. It's cool that a titan like Nikon will still take a gamble on making unique character lenses like this, which I suspect most photographers wouldn't actually like. I think you really have to understand this kind of lens- it can be a mighty powerful tool in the right hands.
Great video, but it's been almost a year since this was posted and you said that you were going to make a follow up video after you tested it a little more and I don't see it. just wondering if you solved the issues with the lens?
When you say you tuned your AF inside the D850 I am interested in exactly what you did? I have an 850 and thinking about getting the 50mm. I also have the 105mm as you. It really is tack sharp.
Stop waving that D850 in my face, its making we want one! ;) Great video again, I do look forward to what you put out. Any chance you could do a street shoot with that M10-P?
Nice review, I wanted to clarify your focus fine tuning comments...so you adjusted the fine tune at a particular distance, and it then works great at that distance. But it doesn't work so well wide open at further distances? In other words, do you need to custom fine tune for every distance?
Hi John, yes that is right the lens is great when fine tuned at a distance, but once you go out of that range, it gets soft again. It’s a nice lens, but not worth the money! You are better getting a sigma 50mm Art or the Nikon 50mm f/1.4.
Stick it on the Z7 - problem solved. This lens is renowned for stupid focus shift, but this is not a problem with the way the Z cameras work. In fact the mirrrorless Nikons may well give this lens a new lease on life.
Good video. Waiting on your full review of the 58 1.4 I own it. I’m interested in the sweet spot distance to calibrate. I used the focal distance recommended by “Reikan focal calibration “ software minimum target distance of 2.5m (approx 8 foot 2 inches).
Any views on dxo mark ratings, perceived mp and lenses in general? I find my sharpest lens is the 1.8g 35mm Dx (!) lens mounted on my d750! I am sober!
Color rendition are beautiful, but really shooting at F2, the normal 50 1.8G gives you the same result with a D850 :) Thanks for the video i will keep my 50 1.8G
The rendition is totally different… if you’re just talking about center sharpness maybe, but 5814g does everything very differently from any other nikkor lens.
Thanks Scott, Superdry sponsorship would be awesome ... ha ha ha ha ..... Just about to get a coffee and check out your videos, did not get much time to check them out when I was in Taiwan.
Is it common when shooting with a DSLR that you have to calibrate the lenses? I've only shot mirrorless but I'm thinking about getting the D850. Thanks for another great video.
thanks for sharing, your work is gorgeous! i shoot with the d850 and the 58mm i love the lens but I too struggle terribly at 1.4. i tried the AF fine tune but it is still so soft. if you have any other videos, i would love to watch.
Thanks for this, eagerly awaiting for the update.
Use many Nikon prime lenses on my Nikon D4 and on the Nikon F5. The sharpest lens is always the Nikon AF DC 105mm f/2D. Than the Nikon AF DC 135mm f/2D and third the Nikon AF 85mm f/1.4D IF. Every time it’s razor sharp.
The 105mm f2/D has a lot of focus shift, at least if you use the defocus ring (not setting it to zero). Unfortunately focus shift is worst at the most interesting setting: f2.8 and f2.8 rear. Try it on your own, if you don't believe me. Put the lens on a tripod and use for example a Spyder LensCal as focus target. At 2m distance the focus shift can be 10-15cm to the front when used at f2.8 and rear 2.8 dc. However at that settings the lens renders the most beautiful images. Unfortunately I can use it in that mode only adapted on my Sony A7rV with manual focus and focus peaking. On Nikon dslrs the focus shift is so strong that it cannot be micro adjusted enough to the rear to get critically sharp images.
Appreciate your review, but don't agree re: what you said about buying a 1.4 just to shoot at 1.4. The fast aperture is but one component of what makes a lens attractive and in reality (for me personally) is seldom actually used wide open. At least part of the appeal of getting a 1.4 is that by f/2 it's performing at peak sharpness, whereas an f/2 might need to be at 2.8 to attain optimal performance, a 2.8 lens at 3.5, etc. I can appreciate that there's legions of people out there who are addicted to shooting wide open all the time, but never saw the appeal myself- I prefer for my photos to actually be in focus and instead using methods other than the gears shortcomings for artistic effect. Anyways, I must be in the minority, because I really didn't like the 105 1.4E ED- I sold it within two weeks. When I try to put into words what I didn't like it, I struggle to come up with anything because on paper it had most everything (only bested in sharpness by a couple others, one of which is MF)... but I guess you could chock it up to me simply not liking the overall rendering, rendering being a pretty difficult-to-quantify and ultimately abstract and subjective thing. But I just got the 58 1.4G today after hearing great things about it and can already tell I'll enjoy it much more than the 105. It's cool that a titan like Nikon will still take a gamble on making unique character lenses like this, which I suspect most photographers wouldn't actually like. I think you really have to understand this kind of lens- it can be a mighty powerful tool in the right hands.
Great video, but it's been almost a year since this was posted and you said that you were going to make a follow up video after you tested it a little more and I don't see it. just wondering if you solved the issues with the lens?
Color rendition is beautiful!
On a side note, I was recently in Taipei and believe it’s totally underrated as a destination for street photography.
Taipei is a beautiful city with super friendly people, plan to do a video on my next trip about the places to go while visiting Taipei and Taiwan.
Darryl Carey a great gateway to Asia I had much fun cruising around with my Nikon. Look forward to your video.
When you say you tuned your AF inside the D850 I am interested in exactly what you did? I have an 850 and thinking about getting the 50mm. I also have the 105mm as you. It really is tack sharp.
Stop waving that D850 in my face, its making we want one! ;) Great video again, I do look forward to what you put out. Any chance you could do a street shoot with that M10-P?
Ah shame you never did a full review of this lens, I would have liked to have seen that. Is this still a lens you use today?
Sorry about Greg, I moved away from Nikon
Nice review, I wanted to clarify your focus fine tuning comments...so you adjusted the fine tune at a particular distance, and it then works great at that distance. But it doesn't work so well wide open at further distances? In other words, do you need to custom fine tune for every distance?
Hi John, yes that is right the lens is great when fine tuned at a distance, but once you go out of that range, it gets soft again. It’s a nice lens, but not worth the money! You are better getting a sigma 50mm Art or the Nikon 50mm f/1.4.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have you tried it on a nikon mirrorless? I wonder if that would resolve AF finetuning issues?
Sadly I sold my Z7, so longer have a Nikon mirroeless.
good info ,more info about 58 vs 105 (sharp and stuf), test Z7 new 50mm f1,8 vs d850 58 mm f1,4 ,
please,thx
Thanks Valeryan, sadly I did not keep my Z7. But will test the 58mm / 50mm / 105mm :)
Excellent! Expect more such videos!
I have the same problem, but in addition I have a lot of chromatic aberrations up to f2. Do you have the same problem ?
Hi Yann, I get the chromatic aberrations at f/1.4 and not at f/2. Will cover this in my review :)
Stick it on the Z7 - problem solved. This lens is renowned for stupid focus shift, but this is not a problem with the way the Z cameras work. In fact the mirrrorless Nikons may well give this lens a new lease on life.
I was wondering why all my G lenses look better on the Z7 2 !! I did calibrate them all on many F mount cameras.
Good video. Waiting on your full review of the 58 1.4 I own it. I’m interested in the sweet spot distance to calibrate. I used the focal distance recommended by “Reikan focal calibration “ software minimum target distance of 2.5m (approx 8 foot 2 inches).
Thanks L White, going to spend a few hours with the 58mm and the D850 and see if I can get it setup for my shooting distance.
Any views on dxo mark ratings, perceived mp and lenses in general? I find my sharpest lens is the 1.8g 35mm Dx (!) lens mounted on my d750! I am sober!
Love your videos. Please If possible make a comparative with 50 1.8 G / 50 1.4G / 58 1.4 and New 50 1.8Z in Nikon Z cameras and FtZ adapter
Color rendition are beautiful, but really shooting at F2, the normal 50 1.8G gives you the same result with a D850 :) Thanks for the video i will keep my 50 1.8G
The rendition is totally different… if you’re just talking about center sharpness maybe, but 5814g does everything very differently from any other nikkor lens.
Great video as always. We need to get you a Superdry sponsorship.
Thanks Scott, Superdry sponsorship would be awesome ... ha ha ha ha .....
Just about to get a coffee and check out your videos, did not get much time to check them out when I was in Taiwan.
@Graxxor Anandro Vidhelssen
总是很干燥
Secret project in Taiwan! Sounds very intriguing.
Is it common when shooting with a DSLR that you have to calibrate the lenses? I've only shot mirrorless but I'm thinking about getting the D850. Thanks for another great video.
So many people are still staying the D850 is the best photography camera on the market, which is a 100% right :)
the d850 makes it easier to calibrate the lens via live view I believe like on the d500. You do it once per lens and you are good to go.
@@xophaser how do you do that?
@@benyaminng nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d850_tips/useful/auto_af_fine-tuning/
Does it worth to buy it? Thank you very much! D.
Yes, absolutely
Its great lens i have been using it for 2 years now, also got 85 1.4g but i rarely use that now coz its so versatile and bokeh is fabulous.
thanks for sharing, your work is gorgeous! i shoot with the d850 and the 58mm i love the lens but I too struggle terribly at 1.4.
i tried the AF fine tune but it is still so soft. if you have any other videos, i would love to watch.
The 58mm is like that m, and it’s too expensive for what it is. The 105mm is expensive too, but you get your money worth.