Guys, thanks for contributing to such a warm, knowledgeable and generous conversation. I'm a bit overwhelmed by your response (again) so please forgive me if I can't be as responsive as usual. I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY!!

this lense is a huge reason to buy the Z-System. it‘s brilliant on the Z6

Just got my 50 S with my new Z7 - just amazing!!! Sold off all my GFX 50S and lenses to make the switch - in love with Nikon!

Before I went to Paris I bought the z6 and the 50mm, said a prayer I'd made the right decision, and off to Europe I went. At the end of the first day, the images looked good on the back of the camera. Damn good. But when I returned to the hotel room and downloaded them to the PC I almost lost my breath. I really couldn't believe what I was seeing. I echo your sentiments about the image quality and would like to add that the damn thing is so quiet focusing you really have to strain to hear it. I've since added the 24mm and 85mm and recently installed Firmware 3.0. After seven months of use, I'd have to say that my prayers were answered. The z prime glass punches so far above its weight class, oh so very far. And with 3.0's autofocus improvements ... all is right with the world.

i have this lens on my z6... honestly i am not exaggerating, the truth is that z6 + 50mm 1.8s is brutally beautiful thing one can have in their hands. i just love it.. this is nikon's one of the best ever lens made... if i have to live my life with just one lens then this is it..

The Nikon 50 1.8z, also the buy of the century.... I managed to get this lens just before Christmas for an amazing £309 uk pounds. WOW! It went back to £ 598 around a week after 😀 And am loving this lens immensely. Great video as usual.

50mm f1.8 is my favourite lens. the lens does not "come alive" as you stop it down, its alive out of the box.

It was the second lens i got for my Z6 (1,5 years ago) ... DP Review rated the lens as the worst lens of 2018 ...I told the community that this is absolute nonsense because it's the best 50mm I ever had or tested...but no one believed me until DP Review made their big mistake public :D ... now the worst lens of 2018 has a 93% score on their page.

My 50mm 1.8 z lives on my z6. Love the lens and the images I’ve been able to capture with it! It has made it hard to decide what other prime in the z series I should add to my kit, but the 85mm seems to be peaking my interest.

Can't wait to see your take on the 85mm 1.8S which I find absolutely sublime.

I bought a Z6 and the 50mm f1.8 last year. I am blown away by the image quality.

Thanks for posting this, Hugh. I was centered on not getting rid of my F-Mount. You convinced me otherwise. I LOVE this Nikkor Z 50 mm 1.8 S!!

Thanks for the objective review . Nikon 1.8 primes have been always system marvels. The 1.8 Gs series were /are incredible. The 1.8 S will be follow the trend with better optical performance

The 50 1,8 was the first lens i bought for the Z7, but exchanged the 7 for a 6 when they became available in my citya year ago. I thought the 6 would be better in low light theater/ballet work plus still be high enough res for portraiture if my D850 was not enough. Soon, I added other S lenses and every one of them exceeded the optical performance of any of my collection of F mount fast primes and 2.8 zooms. I have 6 lenses in the 50-58 range and not one of them has been used in the last year since the Z body and 50 arrived. It has been 6 months since using the D850. I added the 24-70 f/4 S, 35 1.8, 24 1.8, 85 1.8 and finally the 24-70 2.8 S and they all perform optically better than any lens I have at the same FL. When the 70-200 2.8 finally arrives all my F mount glass, will be sold off. My walking around kit in a small sling bag is Z6, 50, 85 and 24-70 f/4. The low cost f/4 is derided as just "a kit lens" but what zoom is sharper corner to corner, and so free of CA/color fringing? The only one better is the 2.8 version. I have both the 24-70 2.8 G and E, which were highly regarded lenses but the little f/4 is optically superior with better color, speed, and sharpness. The 2.8 is on another plane. I have the Sigma ART 50 and 85, and both right in the center 20% are as sharp as the S lenses but moving away from that center circle and the S lenses take over dramatically. The corners are just as devoid of CA and fringing as the center and very close in sharpness. The very edge of the 50 is sharper than the center of my Nikkor 50 1.4G. Nikon can't produce these lenses in other mounts since the industry largest flange diameter and shortest flange distance is part of why these lenses blow up the rep of so much more expensive glass. Being so short in flange distance means any lens made in any mount can be adapted to a Z camera. Adapters for Sony and Canon are available now but unless one already has a collection of those lenses, the native Z lenses are cheaper and better. Check the 85 S lens, I have not seen a better 85, it is certainly better than the Sigma ART 85 I have. There are a lot of reasons users of Z cameras love them , although it is hated by KZfaq guru personalities, but very few of them are photographers and are only your tube personalities, some earning millions yearly for pushing cameras. But talk to users of the Z cameras and you will get a totally different view. It takes a lot of image goodness to cause an awful lot of us to sideline what is likely the best DSLR ever made, the D850. Whether a commercial shoot or walking around the city(I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world so walking aimlessly with a camera is a common pastime) There are lots of reasons the YT personalities seem to miss as to why switching to the Z camera is a very good idea. S lenses is one of those reasons. The handling and build quality are up there also. The 3.0 firmware seems to complete the reasons why the Z6 autofocuses better in low light than any camera, including my D850, I have ever used. Since I shoot whole sessions without a single out of focus image I am curious why the YT gurus pan the af so much, it is more accurate than Sony, they one they praise every day, and not tracks as well or better. But what good is tracking if the focus is not as accurate? Same with MF Focus Peaking, Sony is not as accurate so friends who have them do not MF. It is a dream to MF on a Z body. My 50 1.2 AIS never was so much fun to use wide open as after getting the Z. Anyone doing product, fine art, etc knows how important controlling the focal plane is, and how AF decides what the plane will be, not the image requirement or photographers intent. If you can't trust the focus peaking to show where the plane actually is, it is useless. But a box on the screen following a subject that does not reliably represent where the plane actually is, is not a good choice for anyone but a snap shooter.

Given how good this is, I can't wait to see the 50mm 1.2 S.

I'd say that focus breathing is important for non- video users, especially those doing focus stacking .... So the Z has a headstart in my mind.

Great video! I absolutely love my 50mm 1.8 S! Even though I also own the amazing 24-70mm 2.8 S, I always see if I can get away with just using the 50mm if on a job or just shooting for myself. It's simply an extraordinary lense.

Amazing how neither Canon or Sony have a 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm equivalent to Nikons 1.8 S in terms of cost and performance.

Hi there! Got the Nikkor S 50mm 1.8 today. Shooting old Montreal tomorrow morning with so much confidence in this lens. Thanks for sharing your expertise... Never put aside that NIKON is a real camera & optical business. You could own a SONY toaster, TV, Lawnmower!?...Can’t get good trying to please everyone...

I love this lens and also the 24-70 f4 kit lens is phenomenal.

I love watching I love watching this guy. He is the Jeff Goldblum of photography with his mannerisms haha. Pretty well sold me on this lense as well

This, as all of your presentations, is a work of literary art. I also love my copy of that lens. I just had a similar experience with the Nikon 500mm PF on a Z7 body. The first shot was of a kestrel in flight that took my breath away with clarity and color far beyond expectation and in raw format. No CA anywhere and shot against a bright whitish-blue sky. No sharpness added and printed at 20 x 30 inches, this image hangs on my wall as a reminder of what can happen when quality of equipment plays perfectly with rarely experienced circumstance. At $3600, clearly not cheap but a far distance from its five figure, heavyweight siblings.

This came up in my recommended. I cant quite put a word on the images I can get with the Z glass. In fact I don't want to give it a name I want it to remain a mystery that I continue to chase. The most refreshed I have felt in photography for years using these lenses. It is like night and day but more subtle, its a personal joy as you so well describe in your original intro. :D

Agree with everything you said. Every time I pop this lens on my Z6 it staggers me how good it is. It was sitting on the Z6 in the store when I held it and amazed me. I didn't buy it right away and settled for the kit lens 24-70mm F4 (also pretty good in it's own right) but within a week I bought it. The memory of the image quality it produced even on screen in store, meant it was always going to find its way into my kit. Great video. All the best. John Pouw NZ

First time on this channel, the soothing voice of a book reviewer and some good points is enough for me to subscribe :) Such a fresh antidote to the more loud-mouthed channels. And re:Nikon, their Z-line and especially S-lens selection is very, very good.

I use this on my Z50 with the Nikon webcam app. It makes my Teams and Zoom calls look insanely clear. People comment all the time about how incredible the video quality is. Definitely recommend for anyone using 4K or even 1080P video.

I have this lens on pre order, you can't buy it anywhere in the UK and it's shot up in price from £329 to £529, I'm lucky I got it at the cheaper price. Excited to try it out, many thanks!

I upgraded from a Panasonic G85 to a Nikon Z6 about 10 months ago, and I feel that the Nikkor 50mm 1.8S punches above its weight the same way the G85 does. Which is to say they are both absolutely incredible pieces of equipment for the price.

Brilliant video. I love your enthusiasm and manner in which you conduct yourself regards never bad mouthing other systems etc. Thanks again 👍🏻

This is my first time watching your channel. I just purchased a Z6 today, which will arrive tomorrow. I included the 50mm F.18 S and I really can't wait to start shooting with em. I am upgrading from a D3500. I'll let you know my thoughts, but I am really excited after watching your vid! Thanks :)

Your enthusiasm for this lens is quite captivating. In fact, so extremely captivating that I had to go out and buy the lens. And then I had to sell a Sony camera to buy a Nikon Z6ii to mount it on. The latter is now charging. This lens has an almighty reputation to live up to... 😉

My first Z Prime for my Z7 ..Now have the 85 1.8 ..waiting to get the 20 1.8

I recently bought the 50 1.8S for my Nikon ZF. I took it out for a walk at night and I literally said WOW after snapping a simple photo of a bus passing by down the street. I love the lens. I think I’m gonna leave it glued to my ZF😊

I am overjoyed that I stumbled upon your channel while gathering as many helpful tips as I could on my newly found use of the Nikon Z5 with both NIKKOR 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR & NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens's. Your candor and well delivered passion for not only the lens but photography and videography is a warm and welcome change from many I have been watching on KZfaq. I am looking forward to delving into your many videos on your channel concerning your passion and craft. Kind regards

Love that lens on my z6 :) also love the 14-30 for landscape 👍

I really enjoy hearing this man wax poetic about photography. He's like the Jeff Goldblum of photography.

Hello Hugh, this is one of the best lenses for my Z7. You're always on it. Replaced from time to time for 14-30 or 24-70 2.8. But preferably with her "The Lens". Have a nice weekend. Frank Berlin

I think the 17 guys are non Nikon users!!! But still who would thumbs down your videos! I absolutely love your work. Production quality is amazing and your voice is so pleasing to the ears. Now on to the Lens, I have tired this on Z7 and it is insanely good as you have already mentioned it! This is the reason I am most likely gonna get my first mirrorless, Z7 😁

Recently got the 50mm for the Z6. Love it! Was using the f mount equivalent adapted which is also brilliant, and I love the size. But it’s nice to not have to adapt now...

For the money, you just can’t beat this 50 1.8s lens on a Z6 or Z7. Just so amazing!

I've been shooting Nikon since the 70's early 70's , I have lots of vintage glass . This new 50mm I think ia a game changer as will as all the new z glass,and with the new firm wire update for the Z cameras I'm moving on with Nikon.

I love when a lens reaches out and grabs you like this! My personal OH MY WORD lens is the Oly 45 1.2. A focal length I typically don’t love . This lens is exceptional in every way and now comes with me even on my landscape shoots. This lens is magic. Any way, enjoyed the review!

Best photography gear reviewer I've come across. Such a unique style and wealth of knowledge. Well done as usual.

This is one of these best reviews I’ve seen on any and all lenses. Yes I have the lens and I agree with everything you’ve said. This lens on my Z6 gives me breathtakingly beautiful images that are actually better than my D850 . The new 3.0 update is also outstanding. Thank you Sir.

Awesome video as usual 3BM. This hits a sweet spot as an owner of a z6 50 & 80 1.8s they are the best primes and bang for buck I have ever used. I’m glad you made this cause i can’t help think how underrated the Z glass is. It’s just phenomenal. I compare the 85 mm to the Nocticron on microfour thirds and Nikkor still tips it when it comes to IQ and CA. Awesome as always Hugh.

My two favorite Z lenses are the 24-70 f4 and the 15-30 f4, recently I bought the 50mm and boy do I like this lens. Most times I carry the 15-30 and the 50mm. I can see how Nikons strategy makes sense, come out with top shelf 1.8 and f4 glass. This certainly appeals to me, affordable, light and you still can use the F mount 1.2 and 1.4 glass if you need, I only kept one f mount lens 60mm macro . It allows me as a hobbies or prosumer to have the best system out there. I could not afford the same setup on Canon plus the lenses are all to big and heavy . Sony sure but they are stuck with their small mount and within the next 12month Canon and Nikon will have caught up on the technology.

This was the Z lens that I got for the Z7. I have been astounded by this lens. Nikon knocked this one out of the park. Also love the 14-30.

A minute and 15 seconds into the video and you gotta hit the like button. Sir.

I'm an avid learner of photography and suddenly fortunately come in contact with out of the world conversation about what you bring forth in everyday day happening round the globe of photographic evolution. Hat's off to your efforts; you made me feel like I always wanted to be.

I've always liked Jeff Goldblum. I am so glad he makes educational photography videos for me to enjoy.

I have the 85 1.8 and love that lens for many of the same reasons. I have been looking at either the 50 or the 35 leaning towards the 50 on price as both would be fine for my use cases. This video is such a great review and I love your way of discussing something technical in a very art-focused way. Thanks so much!

Since the day that i brough this lense, i'm in love with it. Everytime i'm using it i'm shocked of how beautiful it render

I own the 50 and the 85 they make me happy

Thanks for this upload Hugh. I'm about to finally take the plunge and buy a Z6, the recent AF firmware update pushed me over the line. My first choice lenses for my hybrid work where going to be the 24mm S and the 50mm S as they are the two focal lengths I use the most on my D750 for video. All my other lenses I'll use on the FTZ as I don't need speedy AF using them.

Thank you for your work. I made a shot with the 50mm today I wish I could show you! What a lens!!

I love my Z6, and I’m currently waiting on this lens to arrive. This review made me very happy.

I could watch you all night (and i'm a hetro guy) Your presentation is amazing. Now I just need to sell my Nikon D5600 so I can get a Z6

That’s also why some say lens first and then you buy the body to use the lens you want.

Exactly what I did. To get to use this 50mm, I just bought a Z5.

I could hear you talk all day! So much passion!

I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about this lens. Yet people complain that the Z series lenses aren’t professional because they aren’t fast enough... Having a full frame modern mirror less camera with clean high ISO... c’mon guys, that complaint is so invalid. These full frame cameras have the high iso cleanliness of medium format film. What would people say if the worlds finest lens ever made was an f2.8 or f3.5? Does that make it unusable? PLEASE, haters - get a grip.

love this lens but loving the 85mm 1.8 even more.....

Another one of your films that I find myself rewatching...

I've often thought of this lens as the killer app for the Z system - or at least it ought to be. Nikon's Z glass certainly was what pushed me over the fence when I was cross shopping the Z system with Sony's and Fuji's systems. It seems odd to me that we are so fixated on the little features of each new body and the really rather minor differences between them. I think that today's cameras are by and large extremely capable and the differences between them are not ultimately that major. Sony and Fuji may both have somewhat better mirrorless bodies than Nikon, but Nikon's Z bodies aren't really that far behind and their lens selection is unquestionably the most appealing to me. As you have noted, they have achieved an admirable balance of weight, size, price, and speed while offering consistently outstanding, class-leading (and in some cases, such as this 50, class-redefining) image quality. A camera body tends to be a mere purchase - something we buy and use for a few years and then upgrade - but a lens purchase is an investment that should last for decades. To me, the most compelling lens investment right now is in Z glass.

Mmm. A most compelling case, m’learned friend. Even greater doubt is now in my mind about having half-heartedly entered the realm of Sony, which was really guided by the attractions of the Zeiss FE 55mm 1:1.8 rather than Sony technology. My starting point with all systems has always been how good their fifties are. And how compact: I would rather carry a heavy body than a behemoth lens, no matter how impressive its charts are. Probably I should wait and see how Canon progresses and in any case, thanks to HM Inland Revenue, I have no spare money. Or time. I love this series about the Last Lenses You’ll Ever Need ! Let’s have another please - and sooner than in another six months if possible !

Hi Mr Brownstone I just purchased the 50 1.8 S after your review with 2 others. I can't wait for my soon-coming Z camera. I'm glad I jumped in, and thank you for your expertise.

For budget reasons I bought the F-mount 50mm 1.8g with my Nikon Z6 and I have shot some wonderful images with it!! I can only imagine how good the Z-mount 50mm is and the lens is definitely on my bucket list!! People who trash the Z system are people who have hardly used them properly and taken the time to learn the intricacies of the camera. It is the best camera I have owned and even love the kit lens that comes with it!! I think even the kit lens is one of the sharpest lenses out there and is a wonderful travel lens due to its versatile zoom range, silent and accurate focusing and also its light weight. I completed a trip to Finland where my Z system was subjected to very harsh weather conditions with temperatures reaching nearly negative 35 degrees Celsius and a lot of snowfall. The Z6 never failed me and also gave pretty good battery life!! Definitely looking forward to using the other Z mount lenses!!

Nice but i think ill get the Voigt 50 f/1. Specificially for astro work on a tracker their voigt 50 apo is amazing also. My purposes are deffo more specialised though than the average person after a fast 50 needing af.

ordered mine just today. cant wait to try it with my z6.

Three years ago, I dropped my Z7ii and the 50mm 1.8 while mounting on a tripod, however nothing happened to both. I sold the Z7ii immediately along with the 24-70 kit lens but was unwilling to part with the 50mm. What an amazing lens it is wide open!

Listening to your reviews is like listening to a great singer

I’ll be purchasing a z6 or 7 this year . Have heard so many great things about this lens but just got the Sigma Art 40mm. I like the 40 and got rid of my 50art because I wasn’t liking the 50mm fov even though I was starting to get used to it . The 40 was for the d850 at the moment and more for the upcoming Z body

thank you for this beautiful series of videos, I appreciate the sensitivity that comes out of your words. Totally different from the videos with mft test charts ...... I just bought this lens. (my first new lens ☺️) this lens is really incredible, I only had this feeling of character and depth of colors in the 100mm APO elmarit. I find the rendering of the Nikkor Z. really amazing, when I listen to your video from my home in Belgium. I really have the same feeling when I use this 50mm. I have a lot of 50mm (all Nikon 50mm F2 f1.8 f1.4 55mm micro Nikkor, Zeiss planar biotar, voigtlander, Leica summicron v1 & v2. Leica 60mm macro. I had a lot of fears that it was clinical like Tamron and sigma, it is amazing extremely sharp. thank you for this beautiful video makes much more sense than the dozens of videos to watch before buying this lens 👍

loved the “how I recorded this” twist; noice

So pleased to come across this vehement endorsement of my favorite lens on my Z 6ii from a photographer, lover-of and thinker-of-things whom I admire so greatly. Best to you and Claudia, whose work I greatly admire also.

i had the feeling shooting my first pictures on 85 mm f/1.8... just stunning . my 2 years old son throwing rocks on the beach shot at f/2 64 iso 1/4000s just melted my brain . i can see sun reflection on wet rocks not bigger then 1/4 inch and less. For some strange reason so many youtubers attacking nikon but in my opinion they have very little clue about nikons quality or what true art is.

I've owned this lens for just about a week , and like others here ,have been amazed at how tact sharp the images are rendered , simply wow! This lens is a definite keeper .

Who on earth needs an 1.2 over a 1.8 anyway. The 1.2 is heavier and 2.5x more expensive. I really would like to your thought on that.

I am currently using Nikkor 50mm 1.4. Though I have to use FTZ adapter, the lens is incredible. Fast and Sharp! I will switch when Z equivalent is launched.

Grays of Westminister did a review of this lens and compared it to the F Mount f1.8 and f1.4. Conclusion :if you already have either of the latter don’t waste your money. Even more buy the latter secondhand.

I was just out in the middle of a creek for 3 hours taking long exposures with my z6 and 50mm f1.8S til sunset. It is the best 50mm I have ever used. I hated using a 50mm and I had both nikon’s f1.4 &f1.8 “G” lenses I thought they were both mediocre. But these new Z lenses are really impressive it took me almost 6 months to give them a shot. I am so glad that I did. I used it and the 85mm F1.8S for some of the long exposures too and it is even better than the 50mm. When I can’t comes out with the pro version of the F1.4 lens is more than likely I will not even give them a try. I am happy with these lenses. Wishing Nikon would come out with 135 mm. Then I would be truly happy

Just found this channel. Surely the best narrated and erudite presentation, ever! Beauty!

Wow! So much knowledge and so much wisdom! You are definitely a Jedi Master!

hahah, I just got a Z50 and will (hopefully) buy the 50 f/1.8 tomorrow...Cheers!

I just upgraded from a fujifilm xt2 to a Nikon Z7 and was really tempted by the Z 28-75mm 2.8, mainly for the focal range. I'm really glad I saw this review as I prefer to shoot with prime lenses and will take this recommendation on board and get the 50mm 1.8 with a view to saving up for a wider prime in the future. As always, wonderful review and thank you for your knowledge.

Excellent review - a nice blend of technical information and real, hands on experience. The 50mm f/1.8 S is even more remarkable as an upgrade from the Nikon 50mm F-mount lens. There is no comparison - the 50mm lens should be at the top of any Z camera owner's wish list.

I love the 50 1.8 s lens, is close to flawless on the z6 and z50. But then I bought the 85mm 1.8 s and I realized how much a full lineup of 1.8 lenses is going to make a huge difference for Nikon. Sony and Canon have nothing close. As a long time photographer all I care about is the glass. Technology in the bodies even out quickly, eye af as an example. Nikon can release one body and change everything, Canon and Sony can’t because they just don’t have the glass.

I can't decide if I want a 35mm or 50mm z prime.

Also credit to you for your utter lack of bias to a single brand (Leica's a different ball game).

Nice video! I think that the larger diameter of the Z mount is one of the reasons for the optical performance of the Z lenses. Adapting these lenses to smaller Mounts makes imo no sense.

It is interesting that Matt Granger did a comparison of some of the best Nikon 50mm lenses, among them some very well regarded lenses from years' past. The z series really stood out to me in the blind comparison in so many ways. Great minds obviously think alike. There is more to this lens and probably the system than just the numbers tell. When you add in the low light performance of the z6 for both stills and video, it has me thinking about a complete changeover from my well loved d850 and some really fine glass. Yes, less MP, but I think so much more usability and in some ways better images. Thanks again Hugh for the great review

Great video, great salesman. I NEED ONE.

I paid 446.95 for mine, thanks to the holiday rebate, and 50 bucks in Unique Photo's URewards. 😋 You ever spend money for something, and still feel the same guilt you would feel if you stole it? This lens is my Z6's Bottom B!+cH! 😁👍🏾

I want one, but it won't fit on my Fujis! Maybe I'll just get one anyway and just look at it. See! This is what your videos do to us! Damn you to hell!

Shouldn't you be on Broadway? Your talk is poetry!

Just found your channel...it’s awesome 😎

Great video Hugh and maybe my next purchase for my z9 👍😊

when its announced ，i was “did nikon lost their mind？ a 3600rmb for a 50 1.8？” after saw bounch of review “thats a 50 APO with otus IQ and can AF ” 3600rmb is almost a steal

Still haven’t bought the 50 yet for my Z6. Waiting for the sale again.

looked for this video. Currently contemplating reasons why should I upgrade my Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G to the Nikon Z 50 mm f/1,8 S and oh boy did you make it clear for me.