Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 vs Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2 is faster by 0.7 stops (f/1.4 vs f/1.8), letting in more light.
| Spec | AI-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 | Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Nikon | Zeiss |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4 (faster) |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 5 | 6 |
| Af motor | none | none |
| Elements | 6 | 7 |
| Filter mm | 52 | 58 |
| Weight g | n/a | 330 |
| Length mm | n/a | 45.0 |
| Diameter mm | n/a | 66.0 |
| Min focus m | n/a | 0.45 |
| Max magnification | n/a | 0.15 |
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
A light manual-focus 50mm f/1.8 with a 6-element, 5-group design and a 52mm filter thread. It weighs about 220g and focuses down to 0.45m.
Pros
- Light at about 220g
- Close focus of 0.45m
- 52mm filter thread
- Sharp when stopped down
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Basic coatings
- Soft wide open
Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2
Manual-focus 50mm f/1.4 normal lens for Nikon F with Zeiss's T* coating and a metal barrel.
Pros
- Metal build
- Smooth manual focus action
- T* coating controls flare
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Heavier than modern plastic 50mm primes