Production
1981 – 2020
Country
Japan
Optical
7 elements in 6 groups (Double Gauss)
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S
Nikon-S rangefinder mount and Leica M39 (LTM) mount
Overview
The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is arguably the most iconic standard lens ever made. Introduced in the early 1980s as part of Nikon's AI-S system, it represented the perfection of the double-gauss formula. Nikon built these to last generations — all metal, glass, and precision engineering. It was the lens that shipped with countless F3s and FMs, and it defined what a 'normal' lens should be. Today it remains in production, virtually unchanged.
Verdict: The gold standard. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is the lens other 50mm lenses are measured against. It won't give you swirly bokeh or vintage glow — it'll give you honest, sharp, reliable images. The choice for photographers who want accuracy over aesthetics.
Optical Character
Color
known to have a slight color cast towards the edges
Sharpness wide open
Significantly reduced contrast at f/1.4, with the center showing okay resolution but the midframe and corners lacking sharpness. Needs to be stopped down to f/8.0 for the midframe to look best, while the corners never look really good even at f/11.
Contrast
Lower contrast wide open, builds to excellent contrast by f/2.8
Vignetting
Severe vignetting of ~3.0 EV wide open, improving to ~1.0 EV at f/8.0
Community Insights
Summary: The community praises the Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens for its excellent value, solid build quality, smooth focus ring, and beautiful flare characteristics that create a unique, "vintage" look. Reviewers note the lens is not the sharpest wide open, but this can be improved with adapters like the Lens Turbo II. Sentiment: Positive Top Praised: - Excellent value for money (as low as $50) - Solid, well-built construction with smooth, long-throw focus ring - Produces beautiful, warm/purple flares for a creative, vintage look - Precise manual focus with hard stops and focus distance markings Top Complaints: - Not the sharpest lens wide open at f/1.4 - Lacks autofocus capabilities compared to modern lenses Use Cases: - Low-light videography and photography - Creative, vintage-inspired visual style - Precise manual focusing for video and macro work Disagreements: None noted. Confidence: 4/5 - The sources provide a consistent, positive assessment of the lens with few conflicting opinions.
What people love
- The benchmark for 50mm lenses
- Exceptional build quality — all metal
- Sharp wide open (sharper than Canon equivalent)
- Still in production — parts and service available
- Works on every Nikon body ever made
- Accurate, neutral color
- Perfect balance and handling
What people dislike
- Some find it 'boring' — too clinical
- More expensive than Canon/Minolta alternatives
- Cooler color rendition isn't for everyone
- Bokeh isn't as creamy as some competitors
- 7-blade aperture shows at mid-f-stops
Pro Tips
- The AI-S version is preferred for video (linear aperture coupling)
- Still available NEW from Nikon — consider if budget allows
- f/2 is the sweet spot — sharp but still has character
- Works on Nikon Z cameras with FTZ adapter
Sample Photos
Sources (3)
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-nikkor-s-50mm-1-4/
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-nikkor-s-50mm-1-4/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S is arguably the most iconic standard lens ever made. Introduced in the early 1980s as part of Nikon's AI-S system, it represented the perfection of the double-gauss formula. Nikon built these to last generations — all metal, glass, and precision engineering. It was the lens that shipped with countless F3s and FMs, and it defined what a 'normal' lens should be. Today it remains in production, virtually unchanged.