Talk me out of a Nikon 55mm f/1.2

Chan Tran · Feb 7, 2014

Don't buy it. f/1.2 is an odd number. Even number is like 1, 1.4, 2, etc...

Roger Cole · Feb 7, 2014

Chan Tran said:
Don't buy it. f/1.2 is an odd number. Even number is like 1, 1.4, 2, etc...

Huh?

Randy Moe · Feb 7, 2014

I guess I'll just throw mine out, it's so big it's in the way.

f/16 · Feb 7, 2014

I've never had a f/1.2 lens, but I have owned Nikon 50 1.4D and 85 1.4D. Wide open they were so soft and color fringing was terrible. I eventually sold them. I later ended up with the 50 1.8D and 85 1.8D and that's the ones I have today. They were a fraction of the cost of the 1.4's. And I'm very happy with them. Personally, I don't think a super fast lens is worth the money.

OldBodyOldSoul · Feb 8, 2014

OP has already decided not to buy it, so there is no point in shelling out our thoughts any more.
Haha, yeah, right. Here I go.
I would love to have that lens. It's not sharp and it produces all kinds of artifacts, plus it's expensive. But I think the preferred nomenclature is "lens with a character". My only problem, or "problem", is that I already have lenses with similar character even if at different FL. On top of that, my 50/1.8 AI and CV 58/1.4 are perfectly capable 50s. Unless someone offers it to me for very little money, I probably won't own it any time soon. OP, on the other hand, should definitely get it.

lxdude · Feb 8, 2014

Shootar401 said:
FYI, its an uncoated, non-AI version.

Uncoated?

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 8, 2014

lxdude said:
Uncoated?

Yeah, I was wondering the same.
Perhaps there is some confusion between single layer coating and the multi-layer coating technology that came about the beginning of the 70s?
Nikon multi coated technology became known as NIC and Non-AI lenses were given a "C" to denote that. Until the 70s lenses were coated using a different method.
You can read about the different 55mm versions here: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index3.htm

Chan Tran · Feb 8, 2014

Roger Cole said:
Huh?

I don't know really how to explain. f/1.2 is not in the full stop and I avoid buying lenses with such an aperture for example f/1.2, f/1.7, f/1.8, f/3.5, f/4.5, f/6.3 etc....
I rather have lenses with aperture like f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6 etc...

Richard S. (rich815) · Feb 8, 2014

Chan Tran said:
I don't know really how to explain. f/1.2 is not in the full stop and I avoid buying lenses with such an aperture for example f/1.2, f/1.7, f/1.8, f/3.5, f/4.5, f/6.3 etc....
I rather have lenses with aperture like f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6 etc...

Good thinking. I avoid those that end in 4 like 50/1.4, 200/4 and so forth and never shoot at f/4 or f/64 either. ;-)

rolleiman · Feb 9, 2014

I have a 55mm f1.2 bought with my Nikon F in 1978, I have found it an excellent performer even wide open, using the correct lens hood with this lens is important. I don't think think it would be worth buying if you already have a 1.4. There wouldn't be much difference in speed.
I have not found it tricky to focus as some have mentioned, because the "F" focussing screen is exceptional, it really snaps in and out of focus in a positive manner.

PhotoJim · Feb 9, 2014

It's definitely coated, just single-coated, not multicoated.

Incidentally if a person really wants to play with sharp 50mm Nikon photography, the answer isn't the f/1.2 options; it's the 50/2 and the 50/1.8 AI (first version, with the non-AI meter coupling shoe). I think people think they're inferior because they're slower, but that's not the case at all. The 50/2 H and HC are probably the most underrated Nikon 50s you can find.

John Koehrer · Feb 9, 2014

But it looks really neat when it's on the camera with it's hood!

How was the 58/1.2 Noct?

fotch · Feb 9, 2014

I purchase new, both a 1.2 & F3HP, and already had the 1.4 purchased with my EL. Both great lens. However, the 1.2 is mainly, in my mind at least, meant for low available light, hand held shooting. If not needed in that way, I choose the 1.4 or even a 2.0. At the time, I wanted the fastest speed lens for handheld shooting color (lower speed) without using a support. Business expense at the time. I still have the lens and almost never shoot it, for no particular reason other than its not what is mounted on the camera. I never compared it to the other lens and the different F stops since that was never a relevant issue.

Talk me out of a Nikon 55mm f/1.2

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