Opinion about two Nikkor lenses

[raid]

post #9 says he already has 3 f1.4's Raid🙂

Dave,
I missed this point.
Still, I believe that a 50 1.4 can pretty much do what a 50 1.2 does and for less cost.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The 50/1.2 is often about twice the price of the 55/1.2. Probably because the edge performance is improved. The 50/1.2 is 7 elements in 6 groups, the 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor is 7 elements in 6 groups, and the 55/1.2 is 7 elements in 5 groups. That means the T-Stop of the 55/1.2 is "ever so slightly faster"....probably the T-Stop is faster than the 9 element in 7 group single coated 5cm F1.1 Nikkor-N. That makes the 55/1.2 the fastest regular production Nikkor lens ever.

 

[ferider]

The 55/1.2 has really, really nice bokeh:

This one is single-coated, I believe.

Better than either 50/1.2 or 55/1.2 Zuikos, IMO.

Roland.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Dave,
I missed this point.
Still, I believe that a 50 1.4 can pretty much do what a 50 1.2 does and for less cost.

Of course it can. Maybe I have to put my question a bit into context. I used to do semi-professionally still-life, and this is still my main interest even though it is just a hobby now, so the 55 has nothing to do with serious work.

For many reason I like, use and sort of collect F cameras, so I tend to buy sometimes too many old lenses. For example I bought the 43-86mm zoom only because it was the first popular zoom for the F and this is a lens which takes pictures almost like a cell-phone. I wanted only to know whether this was similar...

As for the 50's, that's my favourite length for 35mm and I have so many of them (not only Nikkor, also Leitz, Zeiss, Zuiko...) that it is hard to justify buying one more on the base of pictures I can take with it! Expecially a pre-Ai Nikkor...

GLF

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Zoom-Nikkor-C 43~86/3.5, wide-open on a Nikon Ftn.

Most people mistake that setup for a cell-phone.

The Ai version of the 43~86/3.5 is a complete redesign, 11 elements instead of 9.

Zoom-Nikkor 43~86/3.5 AI on the F2.

The only justification that I need for buying a Nikon lens is that I do not yet own it.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

the 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor is 7 elements in 6 groups, and the 55/1.2 is 7 elements in 5 groups.

Ok, now let us not joke...I have never had one but I could use the 58 noct and this is a great lens, nothing to do with any of the others, but for the price of one Noct Nikkor you can buy dozens of fast lenses.

GLF

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I regard the T-Stop of the 55/1.2 more as Nikon trivia rather than a useful difference. If some asks "What is the fastest (production) Nikkor lens made" my answer is "55/1.2 Nikkor AI".

And the "Nikkor lens closest to a vintage Leica" would be "5.8cm F1.4 Nikkor-S". I really like that lens.

 

[Benjamin]

I recommend the 50/1.4 and the 55/3.5 micro lenses instead.

You would be much better off with either of these to be honest, the 55mm f/1.2 is a bit of a dog.

The 85mm f/1.4 might also suit if you want the narrow dof and bulk of a fast lens.