Nikon af-s Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G
The latest addition to my camera arsenal--as well as the only other lens I now have besides the kit 18-140mm--is the Nikon af-s Nikkor 50mm f/1.4g. While I like photographing mostly creative landscapes, I've been dying to take decent portraits ever since I learned the word "bokeh." And this is the perfect lens for that.
That day, I was taught valuable lessons about how to buy DSLR camera lenses.
After a productive trip to a junk camera shop in Nakano, I went with a new (different) photographer friend from the hostel to Map Camera. His name is Omi I didn't have any plan to actually buy anything, just look around and see if the rumors of deals were true.
I browsed the aisles of pristine glass cases crammed in the tiny shop. (The shop actually spans about 6 stories, but each floor is still very small.) While each lens was well priced, most were still out of my price range. But not the 50mm lenses. Prices were around $120-170 for Nikon f/1.8g and $270-330 for f/1.4.
I was drawn to the idea of an affordable portrait lens. Bokeh was still an effect I had yet to try successfully, and my kit lens can't meet my photo aspirations.
My wallet was screaming. I'd already burned through a bit more cash than I'd expected, and then this deal comes along. I checked my bank and credit card balances to see if I could afford the new lens. Barely. If my scholarship came in before October, I could manage it. I'm pretty sure it'll come in October. Pretty sure.
I grabbed Omi and hurtled a barrage of questions at him. It was fantastic having a professional photographer with me because, I'll admit, at this point in my photography I'm woefully ignorant of camera gear stuff. We compared the merits of the 1.8g and 1.4g: the 1.8g was a good, basic portrait lens, while the 1.4g was really the best you could get for the job.
When a shop attendant came by, I asked her to take out the f/1.4g. Together, Omi and I inspected the glass, aperture blades, frame, etc. The attendant whipped out a mini flashlight and pump blower thing to check for dust and the like. Flawless. Even though the quality was bafflingly ranked by the shop as merely "acceptable."
A few more questions to my friend and $270 later and I descended the elevator clutching a meticulously packed af-s NIkkor 50mm f/1.4g.
Once I get back stateside and reunite with my D7200 in two weeks, be ready for some portrait experiments!
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| af-s Nikkor 50mm f/1.4g |
That day, I was taught valuable lessons about how to buy DSLR camera lenses.
What I Learned
How to Inspect a Lens for Purchase:- Check glasses for dust, fungus, and scratches
- Note: a little dust or fungus is OK, as their effects are negligible under f/8
- Note: fungus can be killed with UV from the sun so that it doesn't grow further
- Check around frames around lens caps and forward lens for damage
- Check interior of aperture blades (on both sides) for oil, dust, etc.
- Check springs and interfacing points that movements work properly
- Attach lens to body and make sure it can auto-focus if it's an AF lens
Story
During my stay in a Tokyo hostel, I met a young Frenchman who is keen on photography and had just purchased a Nikon D7500, which was close enough to my D7200 to warrant my particular interest. As we chatted, I learned that he bought the body and a wide-angle lens for a steal at a place called Map Camera in Shinjuku. Having spent most of my free time between Shinjuku when I lived in that twinkling city, I was irritated with myself for not checking it out sooner and decided I had to go.After a productive trip to a junk camera shop in Nakano, I went with a new (different) photographer friend from the hostel to Map Camera. His name is Omi I didn't have any plan to actually buy anything, just look around and see if the rumors of deals were true.
 |
| Minolta travel lens case and strap purchased in the Nakano junk camera shop |
I browsed the aisles of pristine glass cases crammed in the tiny shop. (The shop actually spans about 6 stories, but each floor is still very small.) While each lens was well priced, most were still out of my price range. But not the 50mm lenses. Prices were around $120-170 for Nikon f/1.8g and $270-330 for f/1.4.
I was drawn to the idea of an affordable portrait lens. Bokeh was still an effect I had yet to try successfully, and my kit lens can't meet my photo aspirations.
My wallet was screaming. I'd already burned through a bit more cash than I'd expected, and then this deal comes along. I checked my bank and credit card balances to see if I could afford the new lens. Barely. If my scholarship came in before October, I could manage it. I'm pretty sure it'll come in October. Pretty sure.
I grabbed Omi and hurtled a barrage of questions at him. It was fantastic having a professional photographer with me because, I'll admit, at this point in my photography I'm woefully ignorant of camera gear stuff. We compared the merits of the 1.8g and 1.4g: the 1.8g was a good, basic portrait lens, while the 1.4g was really the best you could get for the job.
When a shop attendant came by, I asked her to take out the f/1.4g. Together, Omi and I inspected the glass, aperture blades, frame, etc. The attendant whipped out a mini flashlight and pump blower thing to check for dust and the like. Flawless. Even though the quality was bafflingly ranked by the shop as merely "acceptable."
A few more questions to my friend and $270 later and I descended the elevator clutching a meticulously packed af-s NIkkor 50mm f/1.4g.
Once I get back stateside and reunite with my D7200 in two weeks, be ready for some portrait experiments!
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