Nikon 50 mm f/1.2 AI-S lens review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- #Nikon #Nikkor #fastlens #f1.2 #Classic #Vintage #50mm #prime #classic #legend
A review of the classic Nikon Nikkor 50 mm f/1.2 AI-S lens, relative to the performance of the Nikon Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 AF-D lens. The 1.4 does SURPRISINGLY well in comparison!
00:00 Start - presentation and prices
00:54 Plus / Pro
01:21 Minus / Con
01:46 Test 1: Lens performance at varying apertures
04:08 Test 2: Compare with the 50 mm f/1.4
06:04 Test 3: Bokeh balls!
07:50 Test 4: Sun stars
08:19 Sample pictures
11:50 Summary and conclusion
The test 1 and 2 are performed in a room with almost not ambient light. A single off camera flash in TTL mode provides the light through a white umbrella. Pictures are shot using the Nikon D750 on a tripod. The camera is in manual mode at ISO 100 and 1/160th of a second. The subject is four 5 dollar bills and a EUR note (buttom left), all mounted on a white board. Distance between lens and subject approx 1 meter (3 feet). The only post processing done is hitting the "auto" button in Lightroom under the general adjustments and also the option to remove chromatic aberration is checked. Other than this, SOOC.
In test 3 the subject is an iPhone X with the flashlight on, put in a relatively dark room approx 2 meters away from the camera.
Test 4 the subject is a chain of led lights approx 1 meter away from the camera.
I don’t really need one but I really want one 🤔
Ha-ha Jonny! Welcome to my world! Maybe it is sometimes better to say "this is not a rational decision", but I do it because it is fun and gives me a lot of quality time and I enjoy working with a lens this good. Knowing that a 1.4 would get the job done in 99.999999999999999999% of the cases is besides the point if you look at it from a pure "I really enjoy this" point of view. Hope this helps! Decisions, decisions...
@@frederikboving mmmmm definitely I like your rationale and for me it’s a beautiful looking piece of glass that’s inspires you yes the 1.4 will do everything but hell that extra half a stop is so sexy 👍🏻
Excellent review of this lens that I also own. Thank you. RS. Canada
Thank you for your kind words Richard! Much appreciated!
Outstanding review, thanks so much,. Few days ago I opted for the 1.4. Now I know much more about it, Great.
Thank you Roland - glad the video was useful! Best of luck with your search for the right 50mm for you!
This review answered all of my questions!
Glad it was helpful!
Great review Frederik.
Thank you!
Terrific review! Thank you very much!
Thank you Eric! Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for another great review. I own this exact lens and I dare say that pixel-peeping of this excellent lens against other 50mm is unjustified. I bought this due to the thin DOF of the 1.2 however, I still enjoyed watching your presentation.
🙏🏻
Amazing review
Thank you 🙏🏻 Johnny!
This review was great
Thank you Sunrise, much appreciated!
Just got a 55 1.2 Ai. I also have the 1.4D. For video in near pitch darkness(I like to document our local nocturnal wildlife) with maxed ISO and min shutter speed, every fraction of a stop is welcome, and sharpness is less important in 2mp video vs 24mp pictures.
Thanks for sharing! With the videos you do, it sounds like you have solid arguments for the 1.2 lens!
I would love to get my hands on a 1.2, but I have owned the 1.4D for 10 years and am always so impressed when I shoot with it after putting it away for a bit that I don't think I can justify the cost. Couple that with my overabundance of 50mm lenses of various makes and vintages and it just gets a tad redundant.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, the 1.4D does so well that the 1.2 is more of a "I gotta try the the ultimate lens" thing / collectors item. But it sure is nice to work with and it looks amazing 🤩 with all that glass. Take care!
Good video. I have the 1.4D, bought it years ago when I was doing weddings and portraits. I stopped doing photography for quite some time now just getting back in to it as a hobby. I've been thinking about adding a manual focus wide angle to do some "street" type photography. Sadly most AF lenses don't have depth of field scales. Any recommendations on a manual focus lens that won't break the bank?
frederikboving.com/review-of-the-nikkor-24mm-f-2-8-2-8d/ - the 24mm has AF, and the focus ring is not all that well built, but I just really like this little lens.
After i read an dtinker someting. I choose 85mm f1.4 and 50mm f1.8
👌
I just bought a near-mint (so the seller claims!) 50mm f/1.2 Ai-S to go with the other five different Nikkor 50mm lenses I've accumulated. I should have it this week. I really love them all, and it honestly is moot trying to pick a favorite; they're all wonderful. The 1.4G the I just bought, refurbished, from Nikon is at their repair facility as it had a bad defocus issue. I think the 1.8G is the best overall performer, so far. Time will tell if I think the 1.4G or 1.2 Ai-S does better.
Thanks for sharing Robert! Yes, I guess the rich people know that you can only sleep in one bed at a time and drive in one car at a time. And still they have several homes and cars! Photographers are typically a bit more humble, and even though we can only shoot with one lens at a time, I guess that many of use have MANY 50mm lenses, and continue to collect! It is a very versatile and general purpose focal length, and it is great fun to explore the differences between these seemingly similar lenses! 🙂
It is possible to have a dandelion cpu chip installed, but it will require some machining on the housing of the back back element (brass) to mount the chip. There was one company that used to do this in Oregon, but he's ceased doing this.
Thank you for sharing Mike - much appreciated!
Flawless video once again. Personal note: what you demonstrated in this video is exactly why the rational option is to choose a 1.4 or even 1.8 as, in terms of sharpness, the average user will end up shooting at 1.8 or higher thereby making the 1.2 (and, some argue, even the 1.4) not worth the investment. In terms of DoF, of course the 1.2 is going to fair better but the rarity of needing that narrow DoF makes it an expensive choice.
Thank you Alex! Yes, "rational" is the word. In 99.999% of the cases I don't need the 1.2 speed, but it feels good to own "the ultimate" and in the odd case it is great in a low light situation to open up wide. But rational it is by no means.
5.6 is sharpest on 1.2 lens... and it has a pretty deep field... so it is fine for group portraits. I have found the 1.4 afd is a very good lens... the 1.2 ais edges it on dimensionality. I will disagree about the sharpness. I have found my 1.2 ais to be razor sharp at f2, where my 1.4d not so much.
Thank you for sharing Mike!
Thank you for this helpful review. I'm currently trying to decide wether to buy the 180mm f2.8 AI-S or this 50mm f1.2 AI-S. I'd buy both, but I can't really afford to spend that much on lenses at once right now, since the majority of offers available in Germany are either unrealistically priced or come straight from Japan with sometimes ridiculous shipping costs.
I personally prefer longer focal lengths, but I fear the 270mm equivalent of the 180 f2.8 might be a bit too long for it's intended purposes on my D7200. On the contrary I already have the DX 17-55mm f2.8 which does it's job just fine, but is rather bulky, even compared to some bigger FX glass, so the 50mm f1.2 might come in handy.
Are there any other reasonably affordable lenses for Nikon you could recommend? I already have the 105mm f2.8 Micro and the 300mm f4 AF ED from 1999, the sharpness of which blew me away the first time I used it. Stellar lens for the price.
Hi Helge, agree: importing from Japan can be costly. You may want to take a look at mpb.com to see if they have something on stock - that is less costly in terms of taxes and transportation. When it comes to the 50mm lenses, one way to save some money is to go for a 1.4 or a 1.8 model instead. You may be fascinated by the speed of the f/1.2, but do yourself a favour and look deep into your photographers soul and really challenge yourself if you need a lens that fast. I seldom shoot at f/1.2. Another alternative is to look for the 28-105mm lens - it used to be a kit lens, but I find it surprisingly good. You need to find a good copy though, as some report that it is not consistently sharp across the frame. The lens was produced in massive amounts and many of them have lived hard lives, so you really need to look carefully before you buy. Hope this was a little help!
I've copy, bought brand new from Nikon Kolkata, India. I use this one with my Nikon D810 and results are excellent!
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
D810 ❤️
D750 ❤️
I believe the f stop difference is 1/3, and not 1/2 of a stop. So the 1.2 is a full stop faster than the 1.8 - itself a third of a stop faster than f2 etc. I say all this because the service manual for the FA body shows, across their system, a 1/3 stop increment between f1.4 and f 1.2.
Not that it matters very much, except for the difference in cost and the difference in depth of field. It might be an emotional rather than a rational decision between the two - I don't know. I have the AIS f1.4.
Thank you for sharing Mark! My take is that you have to do very specialized photography to justify going from the f1.4 to the f1.2 from a rational point of view; from a more emotional / collectors item pov, it may be different.
Hi, I love this analysis and review! I have the F1.4 AF and have taken some outstanding photos of my son's in the 80s with it on my 8008s film camera. It is still in great condition except that the focusing ring seems loose in and out and it rattles if you shake it. To me it feels like it became dry of lubricant.
Do these lenses dry out and rattle?, has anyone seen this. I just purchased a D850 but have not tried it yet.
I am debating getting it looked at and lubed and repaired if necessary. But have considered finding the AF-D version in good shape.
The F1.2 looks awesome also and I'll be keeping my eyes open to find one.
Thanks
Thank you Mike! Yes, the 1.2 is a wonderful lens, and in terms of center sharpness one of the best I have ever tested (I was about to say tasted, but ... ) - I am no expert when it comes to lens lubrication and for how long it lasts, but I think that an overhaul of the AF lens could resolve the focus ring feeling loose. I am not so sure I would go for a D lens unless the additional distance information it gives for the matrix metering is vital for you - I believe that in most cases the D version of the lens is exactly the same construction in terms of glass elements. I am working on a review of the 1.8G lens - hope you'll find it of interest (it will be a bit long and nerdy, but quite comprehensive). All the best!
@@frederikboving thank you, look forward to you work. I just followed you on Instagram I am foreverdigitized
@@mikeconnor3602 requested
Hello again Frederik! Loved this comparison! Beautiful photos that really illustrate the context of your video.
Once again, I concur with you on most all points. I might add, some might prefer the older manual focus lens for video purposes? Those older Nikon AI-S lens had sublime manual focusing, and feel to them.
I think I would probably go with a good used 1.4 AF-D, or new G lens, as you mentioned in your video, and which I am considering? I am also considering the AF-S 24 mm f 1.8, but am also looking at the 20mm f1.8?
Big thumbs up, and especially how you transitioned one lens changing to the other on the D750, @ 12:10! That was cool.
I received your kind replies, and will take this opportunity to Thank You. Now Im off to ‘binge watch’ some more of your videos! 👍😁✌🏻
Please take care of yourself and stay Safe and Healthy! 👏🏻👍👍👍✌🏻😉🇩🇰🇺🇸📷
Thank you George! Hope you also stay safe and healthy! I have just got the 85mm 1.8G (the 1.4G was too expensive for me) and it is a wonderful lens. Of course not as wide as a 50mm, but also a great lens for walking around. I hope to have a review out in a few weeks. All the best!
@@frederikboving H Frederik, and You’re Welcome! Congrats on that 85 1.8 G lens! I know you will love it! I have recently taken photos of my wife, on my D700, with ‘my old wedding lens,’ the AF-D 85 f1.8, and got great results. Bokeh is not bad, but not the best. The D700, with battery grip, really zips that old screw lens, into focus! It has always had issues with the AF, and about three years ago, I had my local shop look at it, and the technician said he stretched the helicoid as much as he dared. So, the lens works fine, as long as I avoid shooting between 6-10 feet or so, where it will ‘lock up.’ Still a great lens, and yours will be even better!
The 85 f1.4 is a nice lens, albeit expensive as you said. It has a lot of glass to move, so I think it works better in the studio setting. You made the wise and prudent decision. I think if I were going for a 1.4, I might consider the Sigma? Great lens, and yours will be even better. I am looking forward to that review.
Your thoughts on the AF-S 20mm f1.8, vs the AF-S 24 f1.8, if you have the time to share? Thanks! All the best to you!
@@georgedavall9449 Hi George! Unfortunately I do not have the 20mm lens, so I do not have something specific to compare the 24mm to unfortunately. I have "warmed up" to the video review by making a blog post about the 1.8G lens: frederikboving.com/nikon-af-s-85mm-1-8g-lens-review/ - hope you will enjoy it! All the best!
George, you made a comment to the video " Watching lens reviews got me confused..." and I got an e-mail notification. However, the comment seems to be lost now. Did you delete it?
@@frederikboving Hi Frederick, Oh no, do we have a mystery on our hands? I did make a comment and did not delete anything? And I thought you had responded to that comment as well. I’m fairly sure, but they told me when I was released from Hospital, I would probably have some ‘Brain Fog,’ one of the typical side effects of Covid. Yikes, I don’t need to be any foggier than I already am! 🙄🤔😂. I checked and I saw my comment. I don’t know? It was the one I mentioned your graph helping new photographers, and commenting on the possible limitations of ‘all in one’ zooms? Anything can happen when dealing with tech and the Internet? I still marvel at how we can communicate like this, despite being separated by thousands of miles! But thanks for asking. Stay well!
Thanks for the review! I am happy to use a manual focus lens on my mirrorless body, but I think on a DSLR it is a pain, especially a 1.2 lens wide open. So your review just confirmed me that regardless of the faim of the legendary 50/1.2 Nikkor, I save my money for another 50mm for my Nikon DSLR body. BTW, I guess you should clean your camera sensor, on the shot at 8:30 it is rather disturbing.
Thank you Zollie. As you can see in this video, I have taken the BTW part of your comment seriously: th-cam.com/video/Jsgz_zBe27Y/w-d-xo.html - All the best!
I had an itch for the 50mm 1.2 Z lens. Unfortunately I can't justify $1800 right now. I'm gonna get it for sure one day soon. But this 50mm F/1.2 arrived today and I'm loving it. $300 and it's in great condition. I tried it on my D3s and it's easy to focus. Tomorrow I'll put it on the Z6ii and see how it works with focus peaking.
Thank you for sharing Nik! I am sure this lens will also serve you well on the Z6ii, and then you also get the nice things about ML: Ability to zoom in the viewfinder and peaking highlights. All the best!
That's very beautiful review... Can you please help me? I have a Nikon d7200... I have been using 85mm prime... It's very good lens but with the crop factor I have to stand too far away from my subject to get a shoulder length portrait... So I am planning to buy a 50mm prime... I had initially settled for the 50mm 1.8 G
... Then I read about the 1.8D.. at half the cost...
But now I think the 1.4 D is a better option... As the bokeh of 1.4 is definitely going to be better than 1.8....
My question is... With a motorized body (D7200) will I be able to control the apperture of 50mm 1.4D through the command dial? I know that autofocus works fine... Please tell me whether all the other features like light metering and histogram will work or not?
Hi, thank you for your kind words!
Fast lenses: Mounted on a D7200 a 50 mm lens will at 2 meters distance have 11 cm and 9 cm respectively at f/1.8 and f/1.4. So the changes in DOF is not that much in absolute terms when shooting close to your model, which I assume is what you plan to do. So my point is that the 1.4 is maybe not that much more attractive than the 1.8. And add to that that most lenses are not super sharp wide open, so you may find that the fast lenses are not that useful wide open.
G lenses versus D lenses: The G lens has a built in motor and is hence much more silent than the old mechanical AF in the D lens. That can be useful if you want to shoot weddings where silence is important (you don't want "I do" to be interrupted by the sound of a AF motor). Also, the G lens has rounded aperture blades, that gives a bokeh some like better. So factor this in when you make your decision.
85mm on a APS-C: I can understand that the 1.5 times 85 mm becomes a bit long, but on FF cameras many actually use the Nikkor 105 or 135 lenses as it gives more compression and hence a more appealing image of the model. But of course, if the problem is that the studio is not large enough, then you need to go wider.
AF-D and the D7200: I would think it should work. Go to the manual for the Nikon D7200 and look at page 304. Here you will find a table with what lenses will work with the D7200. The only thing that will not work is color metering. But take a look and see if it gives you comfort.
All the best!
I am so grateful to you for giving me such a meticulous reply....You cleared many of my doubts... Love from India...
Nikon and Photography in general is such an equaliser... Bringing the world together...Thanks again...Take care and God bless
@@sumitchaudhuri You are very welcome!
I saw the rose in different lens reviews...... what was it shot with????
www.flickr.com/photos/frederikboving/49993270947/in/album-72157718738625296/ - not sure exactly which version of the rose I am using in the video, but this one is shot with the 50mm according to the EXIF. Notice that these old lenses have no CPU contacts, so the quality of the EXIF info is subject to your discipline in choosing the right lens from the non-CPU setup, and I have probably - on some occasions - been shooting with an 85mm registering it as a 50mm and the other way round.
@@frederikboving Thx, I was just wondering because I recently watched the 85mm review and I liked the rose.... I have the 85mm and don´t have the 50/1.2. I hope the picture is shot with 85, so I don´t have to buy another lens.... ;-)
@@stephanpaier9887 I would go for the 85mm for flower photography. The 50mm has a too wide field of view and hence gets too much of the surroundings imho - subject to personal preference of course. The image in the video is this one I believe: www.flickr.com/photos/frederikboving/50281278227/in/album-72157715739713721/ and it looks very much like a 85mm field of view 🙂
What is the name (kind) of adaptar should I buy to use non ai/ai/ai-s with nikon dslr camera.
Which lens do you want to adapt specifically?
@@frederikboving Nikon Ai Nikkor 50mm F/1.4
Nikon Nikkor Auto 35mm F/2 Non Ai Angle
@@RedHell2884I'm not sure I understand exactly what lenses that is but if the lenses has an f-mount then they will fit most Nikon DSLRs. I would ask chatGPT about the specific lens.
@@frederikboving ok 👍
@@frederikboving non Ai
Ai
This review is a god to me. Almost all d questions i had, now i dont.
Thank you!
A good lens but well Overpriced. The 55mm f1.2 Ais is a much better lens (I have both).
Thank you for sharing Roy! Hope others sees this post before buying a 50mm lens! All the best!
There is no 55mm f1.2 ais
@@budisetiawan6404there is a 55mm f1.2 ai in the "k" version the last model.
Electronics, who needs it!
🙂
I could do that with my 55mm 3.5 Without extension tubes.
Then I guess you have no use for this lens then and that'll save you some money 👍
@@frederikboving
I will probably pick one up one day I have been quite curious about this lens, thanks for the review.
I been been really impressed with the 55mm 1.2, I guess my point is that judging the out of focus performance of a lens with extension tubes attached is rather pointless and that a 55mm 3.5 is much better performer in that scenario much much sharper much lighter much cheaper focuses much closer has a beautiful rendering and no extension needed. Once an extension tube is attached any lens has super out of focus areas.