For one and a half decades – from 1995 to 2010 – the Nikon AF-D 85mm 1.4 had been Nikon’s top of the line fullframe portrait tele lens. It saw the peak of analogue photography as well as the peak of the digital SLR. When it had been released this was an expensive premium lens aimed at professionals, but in 2024 it has become much more affordable. Reason enough to have a closer look at it and see if this is a lens still worth considering today.
Sample Images
Sony A7III | Nikon AF 85mm 1.4D | f/1.4Sony A7III | Nikon AF 85mm 1.4D | f/1.4Sony A7III | Nikon AF 85mm 1.4D | f/1.4Sony A7III | Nikon AF 85mm 1.4D | f/1.4Sony A7III | Nikon AF 85mm 1.4D | f/4.0
While Canon had a spectacular 50mm 0.95 and an only slightly less spectacular 50mm 1.2 in their LTM lens line-up, it seems the most popular of all those 50mm lenses is this compact and affordable f/1.4 version. Over the years this lens became somewhat of a legend, but is this actually justified? Let’s find out in this review. This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.
40mm is one of my favorite focal lengths. Closer to the human’s natural angle of view than a 50mm, and slightly wider than 50mm, it allows for more context to be included in the image. I prefer this focal length in front of a 50mm for street and everyday photography. The Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 with its compact format is therefore an interesting lens. It is not an “S” line Nikkor Z lens, which is Nikon’s premium series but very compelling nonetheless. Let’s have a look at it!
I tested this lens on a Nikon Z 7II with its 46 Mp sensor.
Sample Images
Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 | f/2Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 | f/2Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 | f/2Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 | f/2Nikon Z 7II | Nikon Nikkor Z 40/2 | f/6.3
Many of us here at the Phillipreeve team acquire too many lenses (and sometimes also accessories) and with some of the manufacturers it also isn’t easily possible to return the review samples after we reviewed them, therefore a bunch of stuff is for sale. Update May 14th, 2024: some prices reduced, removed sold items, added new item
I will ship to all european countries and all prices are without shipping. If you live in Germany you can add 7€ for shipping, within EU should be around 17€.
Payment is possible via Paypal or Bank Transfer.
I will only ship insured with DHL. If you want to come to Stuttgart you can also check out the lens you are interested in in person and we have a little chat.
All the items come without warranty.
If you are interested, leave a comment with your Email address (it will not be visible to the public) and I will get back to you.
Canon users that wanted to get into the fullframe mirrorless E-mount world early were in a good spot: the Sigma MC-11 and the metabones Canon EF to Sony E adapters allowed using Canon EF-mount lenses on Sony cameras with only little limitations. For Nikon F-mount users the situation was sadly way worse and it took some time before the first similar adapter (Commlite CMF-EN1) was released – and that one had a lot of issues.
But suddenly, out of nowhere, the situation changed. With the release of the Monster LA-FE1 and later the LA-FE2 adapter we can now finally adapt Nikon F-mount lenses in a similar quality as those Canon EF-mount ones. The LA-FE2 even allows auto focus with the screwdriven Nikon AF(-D) lenses to work on Sony – something not even possible on Nikon’s own Z-mount cameras. Let’s have a closer look.
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