Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G

Counting from AUTO NIKKOR, there're so many versions of standard prime lenses from Nikon. After they updated the classic 50mm F1.4 with the ultrasonic motor, they now launched this 58mm. Speaking of this focal length, I guess many people think of the "Noct Nikkor." It was so expensive back then and I could only use the AUTO NIKKOR 58mm F1.4 and the Ai 58mm F1.2. Anyway, I'm sure this new 58mm was made by their passion and I was so excited to test it even though it rained hard on the day of location. Because nothing is more convenient than a zoom lens, this is the lens that we use for specific purposes taking advantage of the bright max aperture, the depiction unique to the large diameter, and the bokeh..., no matter how it costs.

( Photography & Text : K )

Because Nikon advatises the bokeh taste, I started from shooting the point light sources. Actually, there's no edgy outline and the rendition is soft. The transition from the sharp focal point to the back bokeh is very smooth, and this character is great for portraits. The vignetting can't be helped considering the diameter of the mount.

Even though the bokeh taste is good, the whole image won't look good unless the focus is sharp (for lenses specifically for the loose taste, it's a different story). I manually focused on the rain and it's sharp enough.

I shot the heavy rain through the windshield because the rain looked like waves. It's just 8mm longer than 50mm, but the depth of field is unexpectedly shallower than 50mm. It was around the minimum focus distance, but it's sharp more than enough.

The focal point looks sharp and the back bokeh looks emotional, being neither too smooth nor too heavy. I personally welcome a certain level of smoothness in the back bokeh, but it becomes tasteless if it's too smooth. And, I even feel the back bokeh has to be double-lined in order to be more impressive. So, this lens is ideal because the bokeh has modest volume and smoothness. Of course, everyone has different taste and it also changes in time. In my case, I used to adore smooth bokeh. But, I tried many lenses to realize any lens is good after learning how to utilize their characters. And, this means I ran out of money... Anyway, I promise this lens stands out even in the crowd of unique lenses out there.

What about the tonal gradation? It's not easy to judge because it also depends on the body, but I still feel this lens has a rich tonal gradation. I shout have also tested in the brighter scenes, but a flat situation like this reveals the potential because it tests how well the lens captures the heavy stagnated air and discriminates the middle-tone from the shadow. And, the result is great.

The focal plane is about 10 meters away. You can take a picture like this if the lens has an outstanding sharpness wide open. By facing straight to the subject, or using a typical composition of a standard lens, only the focal point pops out from the gradually defocused background. And, you can get a different result if you do the same thing on a clear day. And, this image quality is realized by the combination of the sharpness and the rich tonal gradation.

I shot wide open at the minimum focus distance. The depth of field was so shallow and the outline looks less clear than 50mm F1.4. So, I think you need a clear reason to shoot very close (of course, I understand why some people want to shoot wide open no matter what). For example, when shooting portraits, use the "normal interpersonal distance." This lens can focus close up to 58cm, but it's an extremely "intimate distance." I think it's easier to use the distance of a café table. And, 58mm delivers a little different taste from 50mm.

This lens adds a special taste to the everyday scenes. I shot this image at "Tamaji Coffee" who has just started their shop and delivers delicious beans to our office. The depth of field is shallower than 50mm, so I should have stopped down a little more. The lamps of the both sides look beautifully and I particularly like how the umbrella of the lamp on the left is drawn. No wonder they boast the bokeh quality.

The contrast is high and I don't think it needs to be retouched. And, I believe this is because of the improved dynamic range of the body and the lens optimized for it. And, now Nikon arranged this special 58mm for people enjoy acquired taste.

The back bokeh is perfectly smooth. I heard that it's different to realize good front bokeh and back bokeh at the same time, but this lens does it without a difficulty.

Shot around the minimum focus distance. I can almost touch it.

Another shot wide open. I don't think people who use this lens will stop down, but I did to F5.6 to see what happens. It's so sharp that I feel pain in my eyes.

I hadn't used a SLR camera for quite a while because I have been using mirrorless cameras only these days. As I was used to small and quiet cameras, I felt awkward at the loud shutter sound. Meanwhile, my back was straightened when I looked into the large clear viewfinder and mounted the fast prime lens, and I really felt like I was taking photography. And, unlike zoom lenses, I had to move a lot. But, the time looking for the scene and pressing the shutter was so special. When I was a beginner, I was using a cheap zoom lens hoping to get an image like a movie scene. It was very hard and I learned that there exist large diameter prime lenses like the 50mm F1.4. I got so excited about the big bokeh and shot many pictures, but because of the lack of flexibility like a zoom lens, I only mass-produced the images that were not follow through. Then I got a zoom lens again to realize how it is convenient to be free from the restriction of the angle of view. And, I think I only used either the wide-end or the tele-end. It was only after using the prime lens that I started thinking about the angle of view. While zoom lenses are convenient, prime lenses are like a "litmus paper" to test the ability to take good photography. Without a doubt, this prime lens shows a special world that can't be drawn by a zoom lens. Of course, mastering this lens is not easy, but it's an ideal partner to spend the greatest time.