Nikon over achieved with those 1.8 S lenses. They are really sharp. And for the money? Crazy.

This camera is about looks rather than functionality. Nikon are wasting resources on cameras that don't matter, they should have released Z6iii by now.

The 50/1.8 Z-mount is a no-brainer when you have a Nikon Z-mount camera. Just like the 50/1.8 Lumix S, when you’re on L-mount. Both are great lenses. Affordable, sharp, no or very little Loca, very nice rendering and bokeh. Coincidentally, both 85s are also great. Highly recommended. I must say that the Nikon lenses have a bit more premium feel though.

I just did my first shoot last night with the 50 1.8S and the Z8. It's a perfect boring modern lens with no character, no imperfections, perfect sharpness, and perfectly soft out of focus backgrounds. 10/10 on Nikon designing a modern lens. I hate it but I'm glad I have it and it will be very useful.

The problem is that even Nikon’s wide angle lenses are actually fairly long compared to their competitors and it is very bizarre.

Until Nikon comes out with more "retro" styled lenses, people WILL BE using the modern lenses on the camera (then again, they will regardless, like I plan to when I get the Zf). That being said, I would like to see Nikon do a 35 f/2 or 2.8 (may have to be a 2.8 to be small like the 28mm). Yes I know there is the 28mm and the 40mm pancakes but some "purists" would want a 35mm. I don't call myself a purist necesasrily but I would like a 35mm for a number of reasons, and would be OK with a retro one (for one, to use on the Zf, and just to have a fast-ish 35mm pancake prime -- preferably one that falls within the $300 or so price range since the 35 1.8 is a bit on the high side like $850). I do think the Z lenses (without the old gold band that they used to have on some F-mount lenses) are OK with the retro cameras. They don't really scream "modern" lens, they just lack some of the silver banding and artificial texture of the lenses like the 28 SE.

I know the 40 and 28 little guys are good, nice and compact, but the S 1.8's are super. I think the Zf is a camera that attracts more discussion about aesthetics from its crowd, as many buy it for the retro vibe / cool factor (which hey, that's fine, no judgement). Great vid thanks 👍🏻

Love your comments! I couldn't agree more! I had stopped using the 50mm focal length for years. Then it was recommended to me to consider the 50mm f1.8s when I moved to the Z system. I have not looked back! There is something special and different about that lens. The sharpness, the color rendering... I love it! It is the lens I use the most in studio situations next to my zooms. I do love the 40mm, but I don't use it on the Z5's but on my crop sensor Z50. To me it's a perfect combo that I use for location model work. You briefly mentioned the SB400, I love that little flash. It is my go to for fill with my LED lighting. The fact that I can just put it on and forget about it, is amazing. I know you and I have agreed to disagreed on the 40, the 50s is no doubt an important addition for any portrait style photographer... even on cropped sensor... the 50mm F1.8s is just not the same as the 50's of old, it is so much better!

Absolutely beautiful ❤

Thank you, someone on KZfaq used a 50mm f1.8 S for the Zf and had no issues with it in terms of portability and asthetics. I use the Zf with lenses that may not be asthetically pleasing on this camera, but I don't care. All Z mount lenses should be used with this camera. Sure, some lenses may be a little more difficult to use for long periods of time, but never would I limit the camera by only using smaller lenses. When the Zf was announced, I pre-ordered the body only, I didn't bother including the 40mm f2 lens, since I have the 35mm f1.8 S and 50mm f1.8 S lenses.

This is my go-to kit. I love this combo!

Thank you for putting the 50 on the zf, that’s the exact combo I’ve been considering to purchase, now I know it’s as good as I thought, thank you very much as always, your videos are direct and informative always with a logical approach. Best wishes, Kyle

Lovely. For years I had numerous lenses starting with my F4 body… going to the D4… whatever lenses I had, I almost always ended up using the prime 50mm f/1.4… my favorite lens of all time. After selling my gear a few years ago I just ordered a ZF camera and went to buy another AF 50m 1.4 but the adapter situation seems not ideal. I ordered this 1.8 hoping for not too much drop off in low light.

I'm lovin your love for the Z system John. I just recently came home from an all-day event shoot. I had the beautiful Z24-70 2.8s on one of my Z6ii's and the Z35 1.8s on my other Z6ii. I just love this system and I love the lenses. I have 6 of their Z lenses, and they are gorgeous. Like you, I have the 40 F2 and the 28 2.8. I find the 28 not so great because I miss that one stop faster for better subject separation from the background, so tend to use my 35 1.8s instead. It's probably my least used Z lens. However, I just came back from a month in the North of India (Rajasthan), and took my 40mm F2 to save weight. I put the 50mm 1.8s on a few times, but the images from my 40 f2 look great and not much different to those I took on the 50 F1.8. I love it that you are rockin the Nikons John - it makes your KZfaq site appealing to many photographers. Lets also see some shoots from the Z7ii please.

I will be purchasing a Nikon ZF and I have the 50 1.8 . I wonder if it makes sense to purchase it with the 40 f2. Any advice would be helpful, unfortunately in my country I can only buy it online and I can't test them in a physical store. Btw great channel, keep it up !

It is good to see that you are still favoring the Zf. It is good to see yet another favorable report on the 50mm 1.8 S lens. It may be some time, yet, before I buy into the Z system, but my wife has a Z6, that she uses some of the times, when not shooting with a D850 or D500, and lenses make good gifts. 🙂 So, I follow which Z lenses that folks like. (Thus far, my mirror-deprived cameras are M10, and M Type 246 Monochrom, while I continue to use DSLRs, especially the Nikon D5, when they better-suit the purpose.)

I’d also like to see you shoot the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 on the Zf. 😊

Thank you for this excellent video on the Zf and the Nikkor 50 f/1.8S lens! I use the 50 on a Z8, and it is truly sharp and renders extremely fine detail. As for "esthetics" I honestly care much more about the image rendering and lens sharpness rather than how it looks on the camera. Have you ever tried the Voigtlander Z lenses yet? I have not, but I understand that they also are fantastic, if manual focus is your thing. Thanks again!

Thanks for this. I bought a Zf and I intend to use it for travel and street. While the 40mm F2 is a good lens, I also plan to use this camera with my S lenses. They are great lenses and they help me to get good shots that I like.

I shoot with a Nikon Z5 and I can't wait to get the 50 f1.8 S. The ZF is my dream camera, but I gotta say that the Z5 is underrated. At this time I'm a budget photographer shooting with Viltrox lenses but I love them. I've yet to buy a 50 though because I want that 50mm.