I have one of those 50mm 1/1.4D lenses. It's spectacular for low light and is tiny compared with current 50mm lenses. I was a little surprised that you were using it as an example of very good micro contrast until I read to the end.

For any Nikon shooters considering that lens, I'd snap one up. Used examples are cheap. My only complaints are harsh bokeh, coatings not good enough for point sources of light in-frame without veiling flare, and no bayonet mounts for a hood. Also, it's much better than the 1//1.8 50mm D, so spend the 30-40 more for the 1.4.