Nikon Nikkor AF 50 mm f/1.4D review - Build quality

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Nikon Nikkor AF 50 mm f/1.4D

5 January 2011

Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality

Looking at the photo below, in which you can see from the left the tested Nikkor and other 1.4/50 lenses produced by such companies as Sony, Pentax and Canon, you can notice that the product of Nikon has typical dimensions. The Pentax is a tad smaller, the Sony – very similar and the Canon – noticeably bigger, although its dimensions were undoubtedly influenced by the presence of the USM motor.

Nikon Nikkor AF 50 mm f/1.4D - Build quality

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The barrel is solid, the mount – made of metal, and you can’t find any cheap, low quality plastic in crucial places. Despite small dimensions the manual focus ring is comfortable and precise; the distance scale is quite clear, allowing you the necessary comfort of work. You can hardly have any reservations here.

When it comes to inner design of the lens, we can find there 7 elements positioned in 6 groups – exactly like in the case of all other rival lenses, seen in the photo above. The producer doesn’t boast about any special type of glass or special aspherical surfaces. Apart from that, inside you can also find an aperture with 7 diaphragm blades which can be closed down to f/16 and a filter thread, 52 mm in diameter.