Lenses differences between Nikon f/1.2 50mm and 55mm version ?

Hi all,

Several years ago, I got the Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 on eBay for about $200.
Later, I read on the web (I can't retrieve the link) an article
explaining that this lens could become misaligned because of a huge
lens misconception. The resulting picture would be blurred.

As far as I am concerned, I am very satisfied with my lens but if I
can get an even better result, I would eventually buy the Nikkor 50mm
f/1.2 version for about $500 (I am not interested in the far more
expensive Noct version).

* Is the 50mm version really much better than the 55mm ?

Thanks in advance for giving some advices.

 

I've heard mixed opinions on this. I do have the 50/1.2 and it is
quite good although I reserve it exclusively for low light situations
or when I'm trying to achieve diferential focus as the main objective.

It is nowhere anear as sharp as the Zeiss50/1.4 for example or even
the Ais-Nikkor50/1.4, both of which I use regularly.
But it has a very nice and mellow rendering of colours which I like
for subtle photos or portraits and nothing else blurs the background
as well as it does, wide open or nearly there.

From another forum I've learned that the 55/1.2 is cherished by folks
who use it for its softer quality exclusively, something I do as well
with my 50/1.2.

From all that I'd guess you might notice a difference but don't expect
a fundamental one: they are specialised lenses - there is a difference
between them and other lenses but not as much between them.

 

Hi and thanks for your reply.
I thought because the f/1.2 lenses were created to let a lot of light
coming inside, the resulting picture would be better at any aperture.

And you wrote that the 50mm f/1.4 AIS version give better results so I am
suprised.
I own the 50mm f/1.4 NAI version => does it give as good results as the AIS
version you are talking about ?

 

Not necessarily. They are optimised to work best at wide apertures.
If you try to get them for great depth of field, they are the wrong
lens for the purpose. They are great for bokeh work.

I don't know as I have never used the 50/1.4NAI version. The Ais is
one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. Zeiss lenses are sharper
and more contrasty but not by a country mile. Only thing I know that
will be noticeably sharper are macro lenses, which are traditionally
the sharpest you can get at smaller apertures.

But the thing to keep in mind here is: wide aperture lenses are
optimized to work best up to about f5.6, after that they drop off
significantly. Less wide lenses will happilly work fine all the way
up to f11 and much more in the macro case.

Horses for courses. There is no such thing as a lens that will
perform optimally at all apertures. At least not within the average
person's affordable price range.

And there are other aspects to this, not just the aperture. In
general more modern lenses will have better/more efficient anti-glare
coatings. If you use a NAI lens against strong light sources, it'll
likely glare or veil badly. Which is not necessarily a bad thing,
depends on the effect you want! An Ais or later lens will likely show
less of a worry in that department as the coatings are more
efficient.
The fix is of course to use the lenses within their limits: they all
then perform well, no matter what age.

 

In facts, I did not use my f/1.4 50mm NAI so much. I wanted a very wide
aperture lens so when I found the Nikon f/1.2 on eBay for an affordable
price (~ $200), I bought it. I always supposed the f/1.2 lens would be
better because it was better designed (to let a lot of light coming
inside).
To me, the sharpest Nikon lens I have is the 85mm f/1.4 but of course, we
are talking about 50mm lenses.

Ok so if I understand correctly, in general, both f/1.2 and f/1.4 lens will
work perfectly at f/5.6 ?
Consequently, if I want to benchmark the sharpness of my lens, I have to
set the aperture to f/5.6. I will try this.

Yes, you are right.
Moreover, with the help of computers and simulators, lenses become better
and better.
I am going to look for the f/1.4 50mm AIS

Thanks for all your advices.