Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 Experiences?

[jrose125]

Hey Folks!

I have the opportunity to buy a Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 locally for an incredible price. The lens is 9/10 condition with only slight wear on the barrel (glass is immaculate) and the gentleman is selling it for less than half the price of what one in similar condition goes for.

The only thing that's stopping me from buying it immediately is the fact that I've never really heard much of this lens before and I can get a 50mm f/1.4 Ai for around the same price.

Does anybody have experience with this lense? Is it worth the buy over the 50mm f/1.4?

Thanks in advance!

 

[madNbad]

This might help with your decision:
http://www.nikkor.com/en/story/0049/

 

[jrose125]

This might help with your decision:
http://www.nikkor.com/en/story/0049/

Hey! Thanks the link... An interesting read for sure 🙂

 

[jrose125]

I use this lens with an F or F2. Only thing to watch out for is lens flare so make sure to use a hood.
Shots below taken with Nikkor S 55 1.2 and Nikon F

I'm not sure what an incredible price is, but I paid between $200 and $220 for the two I have. Which seemed good at the time. I would get it over the 1.4, I gave the 1.4 to my nephew when I gifted him a Nikkormat as it just didn't seem special to me.

Maybe incredible was a bit too ambitious of a word, but the gentleman is selling it for $200 CAD, which works out to about $150 USD. I thought it was a great price considering ones in similar condition are going for $300 USD or higher on Fleabay.

 

[Huss]

If the glass is clean then, yes, I think that's incredible.

 

[jrose125]

If the glass is clean then, yes, I think that's incredible.

I was a bit skeptical until I viewed it in person but yeah, it really is spotless. No scratches, haze, fungus, or other blemishes. The only issue cosmetically (it really isn't an issue at all) is very minimal wear on the barrel from it being used.

It even comes with the (what I presume to be) original Nippon Kogaku front and rear lens caps.

 

[Huss]

Mine all have cosmetic wear. $200 CAD for clean glass is killer.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Go for it. The only reason I sold mine was that I use mostly Leicas for low-light.

Cheers,

R.

 

[maryland_fotos]

Little known gem; at that price its a steal. Definitely get hold of the clip-on hood that was meant for it. Here's a Flickr album with 55 1.2 pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marylandphotos/albums/72157637496079283

 

[jarski]

This might help with your decision:
http://www.nikkor.com/en/story/0049/

fascinating how much effort and time was put to shorten the focal length by mere 8 or 5 mm.

am having 50/1.2, but the appearance and handling of all-metal 55 version is more appealing.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Mind you, I'd rather have the 58/1.4 than any of them... I had the original; I've not tried the remake.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jrose125]

Little known gem; at that price its a steal. Definitely get hold of the clip-on hood that was meant for it. Here's a Flickr album with 55 1.2 pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marylandphotos/albums/72157637496079283

Wow... That depth of field is razor thin wide open! Thanks for sharing 🙂

 

[jrose125]

Go for it. The only reason I sold mine was that I use mostly Leicas for low-light.

Cheers,

R.

Totally understandable. Mirror slap on these old beauties makes in almost impossible to use a speed under ~1/60th.

 

[Timmyjoe]

How does the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 compare to the current Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS lens, optically? Do they have similar optical characteristics?

Best,
-Tim

 

[Huss]

Mind you, I'd rather have the 58/1.4 than any of them... I had the original; I've not tried the remake.

Cheers,

R.

58 1.4? Do u mean the 58 1.2?

There are plenty out there, but the going rate is about $3000, vs $150 that the OP is looking at.

The current 58 1.4 is all about rendering, but since it no longer has an aperture dial it would be of limited use to someone using a Nikon F like the OP.

 

[Roger Hicks]

How does the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 compare to the current Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS lens, optically? Do they have similar optical characteristics?

Best,
-Tim

Dear Tim,

Not really. The 50mm is technically better in just about every way, though you may prefer the "character" of the older lens. As I did with the 58/1.4 Nikkor-S, in production (as far as I know) only from 1959 or possibly 1960 to 1962.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ferider]

The 55/1.2 is a character lens if there ever was one. Nowadays, quite a rare design for a fast normal, a rear extended Planar (where the typical more modern 50/1.2 - Zuiko, Nikkor, etc., all have two more air/glass interfaces).

My copy is slightly yellow.

Roland.

 

[GarageBoy]

58 1.4? Do u mean the 58 1.2?

There are plenty out there, but the going rate is about $3000, vs $150 that the OP is looking at.

The current 58 1.4 is all about rendering, but since it no longer has an aperture dial it would be of limited use to someone using a Nikon F like the OP.

Look up the original 5.8cm 1.4 - I believe that's what Ruger is talking about

 

[Colin Corneau]

If the glass is clean then, yes, I think that's incredible.

I agree! I got a newer version for quite a bit more than that...if it's in fine condition then I'd say the choice is obvious.

 

[leicapixie]

Totally understandable. Mirror slap on these old beauties makes in almost impossible to use a speed under ~1/60th.

Mirror slap! You are kidding right? have you actually done a test?
strangely at certain speeds on a modern Leica there was a shake caused by shutter mmm?
Even my Fat Albert Pentax 6x7 was OK even without mirror lock.😀