Nikkor 50mm or 58mm f1.4 for Nikon F?

[darinwc]

I have an early Nikon F. Appears to be locked up but maybe I can get it working.
In terms of lenses. I see that the 58mm f1.4 was originally supplied with the camera. Later the 50mm f1.4 replaced it. Is the 50mm any better than the 58? Is it slightly retro-focus?
Does the 58mm have any swirl effects?

 

[Paul Howell]

I had the 1.4, great lens for the day, never had an issue with swirl, like primes of the day sharpest at F8, but very good at 1.4 and 16. Cant speak to 2.0 or 1.8(or was it 1.7 or 1/9).

 

[bdial]

The 50 1.4 is more common by far, and was the usual standard lens for an F from the middle 1960's on. I bought my first F with a 50 f/2 because I couldn't afford the 1.4.

 

[macfred]

The Nikon Nikkor-S Auto 1:1.4 f=5.8cm is more like a collectors item - only about 39000 were made. It was produced for only 2 years. There are lenses with a scale in metres, in inches or in both (metres and inches).
I never had one but I'm sure it's a nice to have (particulary when using the Nikon F).

 

[macfred]

The thousands and one nights No. 40 : http://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0040/index.htm

 

[flavio81]

I have an early Nikon F. Appears to be locked up but maybe I can get it working.
In terms of lenses. I see that the 58mm f1.4 was originally supplied with the camera. Later the 50mm f1.4 replaced it. Is the 50mm any better than the 58? Is it slightly retro-focus?
Does the 58mm have any swirl effects?

I have both the 58/1.4 and the 50/1.4. Wide open the 50/1.4 is much sharper and contrastier. Stopped down at (say) f5.6 both are excellent.

As for other imaging qualities like bokeh and rendering, the 58/1.4 Nikkor-S is terrible, shit, so send it to me

EDIT: Neither is retro-focus.

 

[darinwc]

The thousands and one nights No. 40 : http://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0040/index.htm

Thanks! I love reading this kind of stuff!