Nikon 58 f1.2 Noct-Nikkor

[lsisaxon]

While I agree that hybrid lenses (with a plastic aspherical element glued to a standard spherical glass lens) has brought down the price of aspherical lenses -- which is why even the el-cheapo 18-55 DX kit lens has an aspherical front element! -- I don't think modern technology has made large aperture lenses "affordable." It seems size matters. DX lenses with aspherical elements can be made cheaply but pro-grade full frame lenses are a different ball game altogether, i think.

Consider the Canon 50mm f1.2L, or the Leica 50mm f1.4 M, both aspherical designs. These are modern lenses which are in production and you can buy off the shelf (so no collectors' premium here). The Canon 1.2 goes for US$1,600 whereas the smaller Leica lens is US$3,600. If Nikon were to come out with a revised Noct-Nikkor 58mm, I doubt it will be cheaper than the old one...

Incidentally, the Leica 50 f1.4 has the best optical quality I've ever seen in a 50mm lens wide open (BTW, Leica does not use hybrid elements). See the first image in sample shots below (M9 with 50 f1.4) -- simply awesome!

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/leicam9_preview/

Rgds

Of course, I'll have to agree with the statement. For the best quality, grounded and polished optics are still the way to go but the process is expensive. Nikon has discontinued many of these exotic optics because I believe they only appeal to a small group of people. Nikon did not do very well and could not sustain these exotic optics because they don't make money for them. Their main competition had sufficient consumer products which makes them enough money for them to produce such exotic lenses. Leica is in a totally different ballgame.

Comparing the Nikkor 28/1.4 and the Sigma 24/1.8, it is clear enough that the Nikkor beats the Sigma hands down. Only problem is, you could buy at least 4 copies of the Sigma for the price of the Nikkor.

But if you compare the Sigma to a normal Nikkor in the same price range, the Sigma would beat them instead because of the aspherical elements used, so in that sense, a hybrid aspherical would give advantage over normal spherical optics for the same price. Then comes the question of the 'character' of the lens.

 

[FortyNine]

Leica 50mm Lux f1.4 Asph has an Apo element ( the lens designer disclosed it at a Leica interview this year ). Hence the price is not directly comparable to Japan f1.2s.

But I agree the thrust of arguments tat asphericals lower cost yet give better quality.

The m43 Pany G1 plastic kit lens is such a showcase.

 

[bigpond]

Ah, thanks, so the Leica is an APO design -- no wonder the bokeh and colour of the 50 1.4 is so nice, complete absence of out of focus colour aberration -- nice!

 

[lsisaxon]

Ah, thanks, so the Leica is an APO design -- no wonder the bokeh and colour of the 50 1.4 is so nice, complete absence of out of focus colour aberration -- nice!

APO + Asph = $$$!! :sweat:

 

[marios_pittas]

APO + Asph = $$$!! :sweat:

Your comment is unaccurate.

APO + Asph = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!! :sweat::sweat:

LOL

-- Marios

 

[Leong23]

Imperfections are good.. very much like vinyls. I think we should go into painting, but too bad I can't even draw..

Nikon AIS 50mmf1.2 is soft and will have some vigetting when shot in wide open using FX, but i like it.

 

[marios_pittas]

Nikon AIS 50mmf1.2 is soft and will have some vigetting when shot in wide open using FX, but i like it.

Hi there

I have been so often tempted to buy the 50mm f/1.2 AIS, I love my 50mm f/1.4 (brilliant for 3/4 body portraits with some of the environment in the photos).. I have read about the 1.2 being soft, how soft is soft? Do you have a pic (un-cropped and unmodified) from FX where the centre (you meant the centre or the edges or the whole picture being soft at f/1.2) is in focus and it is soft for us to examine? That would be of great help..

Vignetting.. I love it.. as long as it is not too much I am ok with it, it saves photoshop time..

-- Marios

 

[Leong23]

Hi there

I have been so often tempted to buy the 50mm f/1.2 AIS, I love my 50mm f/1.4 (brilliant for 3/4 body portraits with some of the environment in the photos).. I have read about the 1.2 being soft, how soft is soft? Do you have a pic (un-cropped and unmodified) from FX where the centre (you meant the centre or the edges or the whole picture being soft at f/1.2) is in focus and it is soft for us to examine? That would be of great help..

Vignetting.. I love it.. as long as it is not too much I am ok with it, it saves photoshop time..

-- Marios

no at home.....so i just post a uncropped, but process photo, slight USM after resizing.

 

[Leong23]

The sharpness is still good enough for portrait.
Both photo are shot at wide open using FX.

~image removed~

 

[FortyNine]

The 50mm 1.2AIS is not soft wide open. Its our in & out breathing that moves the 1mm DOF focus back and forth making the subject look soft :bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[Leong23]

The 50mm 1.2AIS is not soft wide open. Its our in & out breathing that moves the 1mm DOF back and forth making the subject look soft :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Yes, the DOF is very thin.

Like i mentioned, the sharpness is still acceptable, at least it is sharper than my 18-200VR. :bsmilie: Maybe i always shoot using macro lenses, so find it softer. :bsmilie: But the 50mmf1.2 is with me almost everyday. :heart:

 

[marios_pittas]

The sharpness is still good enough for portrait.
Both photo are shot at wide open using FX.

Thank you.. Lovely photos by the way.. now must talk to the other half.. dear.. 50mm f/1.2 very shock lah.. see nice kids photos ... [errr can keep the 50m f/1.4 too? LOL]

-- Marios

 

[AYC Nee]

Hi Seniors

This is really interesting discussion. Would you all say that instead of paying 5x or 6x more for a used 58 f1.2 Noct-Nikkor (if one could find one), it will be better to grab a used Nikon 50 f1.2 instead? Those photos are lovely consider they are at wide open aperture. Say farewell to flash photography?

AYC

 

[marios_pittas]

Hi Seniors

This is really interesting discussion. Would you all say that instead of paying 5x or 6x more for a used 58 f1.2 Noct-Nikkor (if one could find one), it will be better to grab a used Nikon 50 f1.2 instead? Those photos are lovely consider they are at wide open aperture. Say farewell to flash photography?

AYC

Personally, I will be moving for the 1.2 rather than the Noct.. unless of course your budget is different

Flash photography: its alive and well.. it manipulates light, so its different from shooting with only the available light. They are different.. even though I prefer "no-flash" photography personally!..

-- Marios

 

[FortyNine]

Hi Seniors
This is really interesting discussion. Would you all say that instead of paying 5x or 6x more for a used 58 f1.2 Noct-Nikkor (if one could find one), it will be better to grab a used Nikon 50 f1.2 instead? Those photos are lovely consider they are at wide open aperture. Say farewell to flash photography?
AYC

Unless u're shooting street photography with many points of light inside the image, its overkill to use Noct for a portrait.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Thank you.. Lovely photos by the way.. now must talk to the other half.. dear.. 50mm f/1.2 very shock lah.. see nice kids photos ... [errr can keep the 50m f/1.4 too? LOL]

-- Marios

You mean shiok...

 

[marios_pittas]

You mean shiok...

Oopps

 

[FortyNine]

Shot with D700 & 50mm @ f1.2 at 2ft under very dim lighting.
All the flaws of the lens are magnified. Close range optical weakness, low contrast etc etc.

Yet it delivers. Its my favourite 50

 

[An drew]

Hi Seniors

it will be better to grab a used Nikon 50 f1.2 instead?
AYC

Actually the 50 1.2 AIS is still in production so you can get it new as well if you can't find a used one. The sharpness is very good wide open unlike many other fast lenses, just don't compare it with a macro lens.

 

[Anthony Lee]

Very nice lens and IMHO it's worth every dollar for it. This is one I will definitely own when I get to it.