Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJanuary 29, 2024Comment

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S and Nikon Zf

Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJanuary 29, 2024Comment

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S on a Nikon Zf — A Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S mounted on a Nikon Zf using a K&F Concept Adapter

A Review of the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S on the Nikon Zf

With its retro styling, the Nikon Zf almost begs to be used with older lenses. Lenses that are equipped with an aperture ring where you rely on manual focusing. The Zf is a modern camera that will do equally as well with Nikon's expansive line of autofocus Z-mount lenses but this is not the main reason why I was drawn to it in the first place.

Having used many of Nikon’s SLR film cameras in the past such as the Nikon FM2 or Nikon F3, I bought a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S a few years ago and lately, I have been using it more and more with my modern mirrorless cameras.

Every time I do so I am surprised to see how well this lens does even though it was released more than forty years ago. Let’s see how it faires on the Nikon Zf.

The Nikon Zf with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S and KF Concept Adapter — The Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S mounted on a Nikon Zf using a K&F Concept Adapter

Specs and Handling

This paragraph was also posted in my review of the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S when used with film cameras it but also applies here.

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is a manual focus lens with a smooth focus ring and the aperture is adjustable in full stops. The lens has 7 elements in 6 groups with 7 diaphragm blades and a filter diameter of 52mm, which is standard with a long list of Nikkor lenses from this era.

Weighing in at 8.69 oz, 246 g, and dimensions of 2.5 x 1.6", 63.5 x 40.6 mm, in my book the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is a perfect size and it never feels bulky or cumbersome to carry around.

The focus ring is big enough that you never struggle to find it and the rubberized grooves make it easy to adjust focus. The minimum focusing distance is 1.48", 45 cm.

A red delivery van in Chinatown, Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Zf and Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S. — Chinatown, Vancouver, Nikon Zf, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

Even though the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S dates back to 1981 you were able to purchase it brand new up until recently.

I bought my copy of the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S on the local buy and sell market for $120.00 and it offers terrific value for the money spent.

The lens is also widely available on eBay and often bundled with Nikon SLR cameras. It has been a very popular choice for Nikon cameras for decades, hence the supply is quite good.

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S adapted to a Nikon Zf — The Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S mounted on a Nikon Zf using a K&F Concept Adapter

Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 on the Nikon Zf

If you want to use the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S on a Nikon Z camera, you will need an adapter. If you already have Nikon AF-S autofocus lenses it makes a lot of sense to pick up the Nikon FTZ-II which costs $249.95.

If you mainly use older manual focus Nikon F-Mount lenses you can get away with a more affordable “dummy” adapter (an adapter without electronic contacts sending information to your camera).

There is a list of these adapters available from brands like Urth, Fotodiox, or TTArtisan. I picked one from K&F Concept as I have never had issues with any of their adapters. I am not sponsored by K&F Concept. The cost is significantly less at about $30.00 compared to $249.95 for the Nikon FTZ II.

A man with a backpack walk along Main Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Zf and Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S. — Main Street, Vancouver, Nikon Zf, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

On the Nikon Zf, you can manually set data for three non-CPU lenses and key in focal length and max. f-stop of the lens which then translates to your EXIF information for all images captured with this lens regardless of which f-stop you captured the photo with.

It is not an ideal situation but somewhat alleviates not having any information at all. The trick is to remember to change between the three presets if you have more than one manual focus lens. I am certainly guilty of this and for almost all the photos in this review I forgot to change it and images will read 70mm f/1.8 instead of 50mm f/1.4.

With the adapter, the lens sits further away from the camera body (about an inch), and the aperture ring is now placed in the middle of the lens barrel. I still find the lens quite easy to operate and the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is still a rather small lens and the camera/lens balance is not affected much by having to use the adapter.

The K&F Concept adapter weighs about the same as the FTZ II so there is no weight saving by going with this adapter. From a design point of view, I prefer the K&F Concept adapter. It looks more in line with older lenses whereas the FTZ II looks very modern.

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S mounted on a Nikon Zf with a K&F Concept adapter. — The Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S mounted on a Nikon Zf using a K&F Concept Adapter

Manual Focusing

The EVF is wonderful on the Zf and in the short to midrange distance I sometimes take the chance and capture photos without punching in first to magnify and cross-check check focusing.

However, a standard workflow calls for the focus check by punching in. I have dedicated a custom button for this, the AE-L/AF-L button. I do not the AE-L/AF-L feature and find this the best position for me.

You can use subject detection and even with a manual lens and adapter with no electronic contacts the Zf with highlight a face/eyes.

When you punch in you will jump straight to the eyes of your model. Pretty cool. Unlike with the Voigtländer Z-Mount lenses, unfortunately, you will not get a green focus confirmation light. You will have to rely on your manual focusing skills and eyesight to nail accurate focus.

Adapting the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S to a Nikon Zf with a K&F Concept Adapter

Image Quality

Image quality from the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is not on par with the Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 50mm f/2, Z-mount version, that I tested and have been using recently, and then again it would have been too much to ask.

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is a much older lens and does not benefit from modern lens design, construction, and coatings. With that said for the cost and considering its age I am positively surprised at how well it performs on a modern digital mirrorless camera such as the Nikon Zf.

At f/1.4 images are not sharp in the corners and you will have to live with a bit of vignetting. But the lens sharpens up wonderfully as you stop it down. I most often use it in the f/2 - f/4 range and love the colors. I rarely find the need to look for presets or variations to get a great-looking image.

Lately, however, I do find myself using more at f/1.4, especially for black-and-white photography. Sharpness is still decent in the center and the age of the lens lends itself to a nice vintage vibe in these images. While not perfect there is a wonderful character to the files.

Below are two images, one captured at f/1.4 and one a f/2.

The sample images in this review can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor size. Please click to view larger images or pinch-zoom if on your mobile phone.

A Mitsubishi van. Sample image from a Nikon Zf and Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S. — Nikon Zf, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f/1.4

Conclusion

My conclusion starts with a wish. Imagine if Nikon would manufacture lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S for the Z-Mount and would include electronic contacts as Voigtländer has done.

Right now Nikon makes the SE lenses that reminisce the look of the older AI-S lenses but they are autofocus lenses with a plastic mount and do not have an aperture ring which enhances the tactile experience of photography.

You could argue that Voigtländer already does a very good job with the manual focus native Z-Mount lenses but I would wager a bet that Nikon would do well complimenting what Voigtländer has already done by filling in gaps with focal length/f-stop combinations not yet seen, such as a 50mm f/1.4.

Nikon Zf with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S — The Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.2 (Z-Mount) on the Nikon Zf

A couple of years ago I contemplated selling my Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S but I am glad I kept it. It’s proven to be a good companion on Nikon SLR film cameras, my Fujifilm X-Series, and now Nikon Zf.

With its wonderfully smooth focusing ring, small size for an f/1.4 lens, and classic rendering style it is hard to blame its imperfections, especially considering the price for which you can find this lens on the used market.

If you would like to see more from the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S please check these two reviews:

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S on Nikon SLRs
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S on Fujifilm X Series

A vintage car under winter cover in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Zf and Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S. — Vancouver, Nikon Zf, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

Pros

Small size for a 50mm f/1.4 lens
Looks and ergonomics
Smooth focus ring

Cons

Image quality is not perfect at f/1.4

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. I hope you found it helpful. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support our site you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate links below.

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Nikon Zf - B&H Photo

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