2016
Nikkor 50 f1.2 - A timeless classic
This fast normal lens was first released in 1981 and, rather surprisingly, is still produced today. That's right, you can get yourself a brand new 'vintage' lens, guaranteed to be scratch/fungus-free and smooth-focusing. It's about 650-700 bucks in the US, but if you visit Japan, you can pick up a new one for about 50 000 yen (currently about 400 USD). That's actually really surprising since new camera gear isn't usually cheaper here. This one was lent to me for about a week by Eric from work, who uses it mostly for video (hence the red follow-focus ring I was asked to leave on).
The Nikkor 50 f1.2 AI-S specs:
Build Quality/Handling (Excellent/Probably quite good)
I gotta say that it's difficult to comment on handling when focusing with a giant metal ring meant for a video rig. However, it's safe to say that the all-metal build quality of the lens is excellent and that both the aperture and focus rings are smooth and a joy to use. The aperture moves in well-defined clicks from f1.2 to f1.4 and then in full stops to f16. The ring moves in the opposite direction to all other lenses I've used before, which took some getting used to.
Due to Nikon's large flange distance the lens with adapter is longer than comparable offerings from Canon (the FL 55 f1.2, for example is only 78mm vs Nikkor's 93mm), so it's not the most compact solution out there. However, it's a fairly light lens for an f1.2 and the 52mm filter thread is convenient.
Image Quality (Excellent, especially from f2)
This lens has a wide range - from dreamy, bokehfull (that's not really a word) at f1.2 to pin-sharp, surgical when stopped down.
The Nikkor 50 f1.2 AI-S specs:
- 7 elements in 6 groups
- Weight - 360 grams
- Length - 68.5 mm (93 mm with adapter)
- Filter size - 52 mm
- Min. focus distance - 0.5 m
- Aperture - 9 blades, f1.2 to f16
Build Quality/Handling (Excellent/Probably quite good)
I gotta say that it's difficult to comment on handling when focusing with a giant metal ring meant for a video rig. However, it's safe to say that the all-metal build quality of the lens is excellent and that both the aperture and focus rings are smooth and a joy to use. The aperture moves in well-defined clicks from f1.2 to f1.4 and then in full stops to f16. The ring moves in the opposite direction to all other lenses I've used before, which took some getting used to.
Due to Nikon's large flange distance the lens with adapter is longer than comparable offerings from Canon (the FL 55 f1.2, for example is only 78mm vs Nikkor's 93mm), so it's not the most compact solution out there. However, it's a fairly light lens for an f1.2 and the 52mm filter thread is convenient.
Image Quality (Excellent, especially from f2)
This lens has a wide range - from dreamy, bokehfull (that's not really a word) at f1.2 to pin-sharp, surgical when stopped down.
f1.2/ISO 100
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f2/ISO 100
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100% crop
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100% crop
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f2.8/ISO 100
100% crops. From top left to bottom right: f1.2 - f2 - f2.8 - f4
At f1.2 this lens glows (there's lots of CA) but does resolve enough fine detail on the Sony A7s, especially in the centre. The sharpness increases dramatically stopped down to f2 and again at f2.8, at which point it seems to already be as sharp as it gets on 12 megapixels. It might not be as sharp as the FL 55 f1.2 wide open, but I think it sharpens up faster.
Vignetting is pronounced at f1.2, improves significantly by f2 and is basically gone by f2.8. Curiously, the lens I had seemed to vignette more in the top left corner (I'm not sure why).
Vignetting is pronounced at f1.2, improves significantly by f2 and is basically gone by f2.8. Curiously, the lens I had seemed to vignette more in the top left corner (I'm not sure why).
f1.2/ISO 100
In my opinion the bokeh is good and definitely smoother than the Canon FL 55 f1.2, but probably not as creamy as the Canon FD 100 f2. Of course, there's lots of it when shooting wide open.
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I didn't really find flare to be an issue with this lens but I did forget to shoot it into the sun. However, there was some crazy ghosting visible when shooting at night. As seen in the photo below, there's also lots of purple fringing and coma around bright highlights at f1.2 (but gone by f2).
f1.2/ISO 160
Conclusion
This is a great lens and I wish I could have shot it without the extra ring to get a better idea of how it handles on the Sony A7s. I suspect that it's a decent fit for the camera, though perhaps a bit long due to the size of the Nikon to E-mount adapter. The mechanical operation was certainly as good as any other vintage lens I tried (though this one was not nearly as old as some of the lenses I have).
The image quality is great, especially stopped down, but even wide open this lens resolves enough detail. Sure, there are some shortcomings at f1.2 such as vignetting, CA, glow, coma, etc. Some, however, might like the dreamy results at that aperture. Others might want to stop it down to f2 to get clean, sharp results. It's a lens that can probably please many with its versatility.
I think it's great that Nikon still makes these lenses, though I'm not sure that I would buy one over an older, cheaper f1.2 such as the Canon FL 55 f1.2.
Below are a few more samples. Also, check out a video shot with this lens.
This is a great lens and I wish I could have shot it without the extra ring to get a better idea of how it handles on the Sony A7s. I suspect that it's a decent fit for the camera, though perhaps a bit long due to the size of the Nikon to E-mount adapter. The mechanical operation was certainly as good as any other vintage lens I tried (though this one was not nearly as old as some of the lenses I have).
The image quality is great, especially stopped down, but even wide open this lens resolves enough detail. Sure, there are some shortcomings at f1.2 such as vignetting, CA, glow, coma, etc. Some, however, might like the dreamy results at that aperture. Others might want to stop it down to f2 to get clean, sharp results. It's a lens that can probably please many with its versatility.
I think it's great that Nikon still makes these lenses, though I'm not sure that I would buy one over an older, cheaper f1.2 such as the Canon FL 55 f1.2.
Below are a few more samples. Also, check out a video shot with this lens.
Related lenses
Sample Images
- Canon FD 50mm f1.4
- Canon nFD 50mm f1.4
- Canon FL 55mm f1.2
- Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.7 Planar T
- Jupiter 3
- Pentax-M 50mm f1.4 SMC
Sample Images
