Nikkor 50mm f1.2 -- Plusses and minusses?

Curved Wall

A
Curved Wall

  • 1
  • 0
  • 41
Crossing beams

A
Crossing beams

  • 5
  • 1
  • 50
Shadow 2

A
Shadow 2

  • 2
  • 0
  • 47
Shadow 1

A
Shadow 1

  • 2
  • 0
  • 43
Darkroom c1972

A
Darkroom c1972

  • 3
  • 2
  • 85

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,832
Messages
2,781,561
Members
99,720
Latest member
alexreltonb
Recent bookmarks
0

keithwms

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
6,220
Location
Charlottesvi
Format
Multi Format
I like my 50/1.2 very much. I use it for available light stuff, not for "normal" light. Too much flare and such for that.

The only minuses, I would say, are that it doesn't quite develop the superduper resolution of the 1.4 or 1.8 when you stop down. And the bokeh tends to develop contrasty outlines so you need to think about how OOF elements are placed in the frame. So bokeh-wise, it's no replacement for a good f/2 or f/2.8 if you have enough light for those.

But hey, the 1.2 is a trick lens, you can do nutty things with it. I will confess that I am using it mostly on a D700 d*g*tal now- they are a superb pairing IMHO. I have taken plenty of acceptable (to me) ~1/20 sec shots when the ambient light was so low that I couldn't even see my subject clearly and was just winging it with the scale. It freaks people out, they think I am doing some flash trick. No flash required, you can use subtle ambient light that most folks can't even see. If you want to see some examples and aren't violently allergic to ISO 4000 shots from a D700 then look here.

Basically, if going out at night, I don't leave home without my 1.2.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom