Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI Manual Focus Standard Lens. Mint- Tested. See Test Images.
This is a near pristine example of one of Nikon's high quality AI lenses from the 1970's and 1980's when Nikon didn't make anything except high quality pro lenses. This is the last and best optical design AI specification lens. This one, lens number 4316611, was number 370,910 in a total manufacturing run of 910,681 units of the AI 50mm f1.4 lens made by Nikon Japan between March 1977 and June 1981. This one was made about two fifths of the way through the production run, so we can be pretty confident that it was made around December 1978.
Key features
See Hi-res images taken with this lens on Youtube...
https://youtu.be/MXrY_IaQuIs
It has stunning optical and mechanical performance (see the pictures attached and at the Dropbox link further down) in a compact package, weighing around 255g. This 50mm is extremely well made, having far better optical and mechanical properties than the more modern AF lenses Nikon makes today. As with others I have tested, this lens seems to me to have excellent edge sharpnesss. Have a look at the test images and see if you agree.
See full review of this lens on Ken Rockwell's lens review page
Lens compatibility
Use on Digital Cameras
It works on all digital cameras with varying ease.
N.B. Most modern Nikon digital cameras have an electronic rangefinder bottom left of the viewfinder. One can use this with MF lenses to get precise focus
On the D810, D800, D800E, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300s, D300, D200, D7200, D7100, D7000 series cameras, it can give full matrix metering and aperture-preferred auto (A) and manual (M) modes, and encodes the shooting aperture and focal length in the EXIF.
The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI works on the lesser cameras like the D80, D70 and D40, but without any metering - you'll have to use an external meter or guess using the LCD.
Use on Film Cameras
The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI is ideal for manual focus cameras like the FA, FE, FM and F2AS.
The F100 and most film cameras offer centre weighted metering with this lens, while the F4, F6 and FA are unique among film cameras in offering matrix metering with it.
For further reading on the subject, please visit Ken Rockwell's most instructive website on the subject
Overall Lens Condition: Mint-
Mechanical / Cosmetic: Mint-
The lens is in near pristine mechanical and cosmetic condition. It is unmarked bar some slight rubbing on the edge of the conical ring atop the focus ring and two tiny scratches near the Ft / M mark. They both need a magnifying glass to be seen. The focus ring action is buttery smooth with no play at all in the action. The painted lettering is bright and completely intact. The aperture ring is smooth and 'clicky' and free moving. The iris blades are nice and snappy. The iris is in perfect condition and free of oil. The bayonet mount is also in as new condition.
Optical: Mint-
Not a great deal to say here. There is almost no dust in the lens. The optics are otherwise flawless. There is no fungus, haze, mould or Balsam separation. This lens produces punchy, colourful and contrasty images straight from the camera as can be seen from the test images. The front are rear elements are pristine, the filter having done its job of protecting the front element.
Image quality
Image quality is superb. The Ken Rockwell review explains the characteristics of this lens in some detail. The images attached attest to the quality he sees. I shot the images on a Sony A7R II 42.4MP Mirrorless camera. It also works flawlessly on my Nikon D7200 and Nikon film cameras, but I wanted to show off the astounding resolution the lens is capable of and also to show its full-frame capability. The 100% crop (when viewed on your PC screen at about 10" across would be equivalent to a full-size image of about 8 feet by 5 feet.
The Ebay Upload Images
The test images were shot in and around the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, UK. The first image is of a shop on Caroline Street. It was shot wide open in daylight at f/1.4 like crazy people and lens testers do! I have attached 100% centre and edge crops of this image. It is dead sharp and contrasty in the middle with the characteristic CA and Spherical Aberration that is typical of this lens model at f/1.4. The next image is a 100% crop of the same scene, but this time at f/2. The CA there was at f/1.4 has completely gone. The next two images are of the same scene, but this time they are centre and edge crops at f/5.6. They are perfect. This lens is fantastic across the frame stopped down to f/5.6. The next two images of the mossy gravestone were shot at f/1.4 and f/4 respectively and show the superb Bokeh and DOF that this lens generates. The final image of the solicitor’s office on St. Paul’s Square was shot at f/4 and I’ve cropped it at 100%.
The Youtube Images
https://youtu.be/MXrY_IaQuIs
On Youtube, I have published a series of images of the shop from f/1.4 all the way through to f/16. Notice that there is a small amount of Chromatic Aberration and Veiling at f/1.4, but it's very well controlled and the image is dead sharp. This produces images with an almost dreamlike quality at night: just what this lens was designed for.
The CA is gone by f/2, and it's just about perfect at f/2.8. Look at the edge crops at f/2.8, f/5.6, f/8, f/11 and f/16. This lens is great at the edges. It continues to be razor sharp all the way to f/16. This is a very good lens. I've also uploaded some other images taken in and around the test area.
What's in the box?
Lens, 52mm Kenko MC UV filter, front and rear Nikon lens caps.
Please check out my other Nikon listings on eBay