Assessment: Nikon Nikkor 55mm 1.2 Ai – The primary f/1.2 F-mount lens

Introduction

The optical design of this Nikkor 55mm 1.2 dates again to 1965, which makes it Nikon’s first f/1.2 lens for the F-mount. Amongst Nikon’s three handbook focus f/1.2 ~50mm lenses this isn’t precisely a fan favourite although and normally thought-about the worst of the bunch. Let’s attempt to discover out on this assessment if that dangerous repute is definitely justified.

Pattern Photos

A lot of the pattern pictures on this assessment will be present in full decision right here.

Specs / Model Historical past

There have been three totally different f/1.2 lenses for F-mount:

• Nikon 55mm 1.2 
  pre-Ai/Ai, 7/5 design, 7 aperture blades, 410g, 1965-1978, ~176.000 made
• Nikon 50mm 1.2
  Ai/Ai-s, 7/6 design, 7 or 9 aperture blades, 354g, 1978-2020, ~240.000 made
• Nikon 58mm 1.2 Noct
  Ai/Ai-s, 7/6 design, aspherical factor, 7 or 9 aperture blades, 470g, 1978-1998, ~11.000 made

This can be a assessment of the primary a type of, the 55mm lens, however right here there are a number of totally different sub-versions – all of them share the identical optical design although:

• Nikkor-S Auto 55mm 1.2
  pre-Ai, 0.6 m MFD, 1965-1972, ~66.000 made
• Nikkor-S·C Auto 55mm 1.2
  pre-Ai, all parts multicoated, 0.6 m MFD, 1972-1974, ~50.000 made
• Nikkor 55mm 1.2
  pre-AI, all parts multicoated, 0.5 m MFD, 1974-1977, ~35.000 made
• Nikkor 55mm 1.2
  Ai, all parts multicoated, 0.5 m MFD, 1977-1978, ~25.000 made

I don’t wish to go an excessive amount of into element right here, so my basic recommendation is: if you’re on the lookout for a type of to completely use with an adapter in your trendy mirrorless digicam it’s also possible to get one of many pre-Ai ones, as these are normally cheaper. In case you are additionally taking a look at utilizing it on a Nikon DSLR or one of many extra well-known analogue cameras just like the FM2/FM3a/F80/F100 it is best to get the newest Ai model like I did (or one which has already been transformed to Ai). This can be a assessment of the Nikkor 55mm 1.2 Ai from 1977 which has the next full specs:

• Diameter: 73 mm
• Size: 50 mm
• Weight: 410g (measured)
• Area of view: 43° (diagonally)
• Filter Diameter: 52 mm
• Variety of Aperture Blades: 7 (straight)
• Components/Teams: 7/5
  
• Shut Focusing Distance: 0.5 m
• Most Magnification: 1:7.2 (measured)
• Mount: Nikon F

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Historical past

If you wish to know extra in regards to the improvement and the historical past of this lens it is best to first take a look at Nikkor – The Thousand and One Nights – No. 49: Nikon 55mm 1.2.

I already talked a couple of vital a part of the historical past of Nikon’s ~50mm f/1.2 lenses within the earlier part, telling you about all of the totally different fashions you might come throughout. Now in case you have a have a look at Nikon’s article above, it sounds loads like this 55mm 1.2 was merely a step-stone on the journey to design a 50mm 1.2 lens and actually by the point the 50mm 1.2 had been launched, manufacturing of this 55mm 1.2 stopped and it appears nobody ever regarded again.

Today frequent “data” appears to be, that the 50mm 1.2 is the “higher” lens anyway. However in the case of these classic lenses, it’s actually debatable, what “higher” really means.

I couldn’t discover any assessment with dependable data on this lens’ efficiency traits, so I made a decision to purchase one and verify for myself.

Dealing with / Construct High quality

This Nikkor 55mm 1.2 has the everyday construct high quality of Nikon’s Ai lenses: all metallic physique with engraved writings, colourful aperture stops and DoF scale.

The main target ring has a really good and even resistance. It takes ~230° from the minimal focus distance of 0.5 m to infinity.

The aperture ring can also be typical for Nikon’s lenses: equidistantly spaced full-stop click on stops and the aperture ring near the digicam physique. The aperture ring will be moved very barely previous the f/1.2 mark, which was already the case for the 105mm 2.5 and I’m not an enormous fan of.

Wanting on the bayonet you’ll discover that the rear factor is just not completely spherical as some house is required for the aperture lever. Extra on that within the optical vignetting part.

For the older variations of this lens you should utilize both the HN-6 (metallic screw-in) or the HS-3 (metallic snap-in) hoods. For the later fashions these have been changed with the HS-7 (metallic snap-in) and the HR-2 (rubber screw-in) hoods. As you’ll be able to see from the image above I purchased an HS-7 hood.

There have been loads of 50-58mm F-mount lenses. This is without doubt one of the larger ones which turns into very apparent seeing it subsequent to the a lot smaller (and roughly one cease slower) Nikon 50mm 1.8 Sequence-E. In mid 2023 Cosina launched a reincarnation of this 55mm 1.2: the Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton, which is barely smaller. All these function a 52 mm filter thread which is typical for Nikon’s handbook focus lenses.

Vignetting

Mild falloff

The vignetting figures are literally very typical for a lens with these parameters. They’re roughly the identical as these of the Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP and Meike 50mm 1.2 whereas the Canon EF 50mm 1.2L USM confirmed barely increased vignetting at f/1.2.

Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai

It’s endorsed to take a look at this text first to get an thought how this brightness graph works.

Optical vignetting

Quick lenses normally present a noticeable quantity of optical vignetting, particularly so the compact ones. With out going an excessive amount of into technical particulars optical vignetting results in the truncation of sunshine circles in the direction of the borders of the body.
Within the heart of the body virtually each lens will render an ideal circle, however solely lenses with very low optical vignetting will hold this form within the corners.
So within the following comparability we transfer from the middle (left) to the intense nook (proper) and see how the form of the sunshine circle modifications.

Sony A7rII | 1.0 m focus distance

The theoretical most aperture an F-mount lens can have has been calculated to f/1.17 and f/1.2 is terribly near that. The issue with these theoretical values is, that you simply normally can’t simply attain them in observe.

As you’ll be able to see within the heart the circle appears reduce at f/1.2. It’s because the rear factor is definitely not completely spherical because of the house wanted for the aperture lever. That is the case for all of Nikon’s f/1.2 lenses. I’m really undecided if this needs to be thought-about optical vignetting or mechanical vignetting.

In 2023 – to my utmost shock – Cosina launched the Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 SL IIs Nokton for the Nikon F-mount. This lens contains a particular mechanical design (extra on that in its assessment) that permits for a traditional, completely spherical rear factor. That is really the one actual f/1.2 lens for the F-mount, launched 64 years after its introduction.

As we’re working on the restrict of the lens mount optical vignetting can also be very excessive – similar to the Tremendous Quick 50mm M-mount Lenses. The 50mm 1.2 lenses for the larger Canon EF-mount (Canon EF 50mm 1.2L and Samyang 50mm 1.2 XP) present much less optical vignetting.

Today you hardly ever see 7 straight aperture blades in portrait lenses and fortunately so, as that diaphragm development results in distinct (and in my view unnatural) heptagons.

That includes an all-spherical design we don’t encounter any onion ring buildings right here.

Sharpness

Glow / Spherical Aberration

Many trendy quick lenses supply astonishingly excessive picture high quality at their most aperture, however that is normally not the case for quick lenses from earlier instances. At wider apertures these lenses typically create some “glow“. This Nikon 55mm 1.2 with its design from 1965 can also be a type of lenses. If we had been on the lookout for a extra technical time period for “glow” it will be undercorrected spherical aberration.

Spherical aberration is the one traditional lens aberration that has an impact on the middle of the body. It’s going to make your picture seem softer and add some further “glow” to already shiny elements of the picture. It’s also an impact much like what you get when utilizing a diffusion/mist filter.

Some folks might like this softer rendering for portraiture, however then many others merely see this as dangerous picture high quality. You will discover just a few picture units shot at f/1.2 and f/2.0 (the place many of the glow/spherical aberration is gone) right here, so you’ll be able to higher decide this “impact” for your self.

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai

Focus shift

50% crops, Sony A7rII

As could be very typical for lenses like this there may be numerous undercorrected spherical aberration at nearer focus distances which makes discovering the aircraft of optimum focus a bit tough. There’s clearly some focus shift between f/2.0 and f/2.8 or f/4.0, so that is one thing I’d be careful for when utilizing this lens on a (D)SLR.

On a mirrorless digicam with working aperture this is not going to be an issue so long as you cease down first after which focus.

Infinity (42mp Sony A7rII)

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai

What can we anticipate from a 60 years previous design right here? First we want to remember this can be a unit focus lens and unit focus lenses can solely be optimized for one distance. And by my expertise, for quick lenses like this, that normally wasn’t infinity, as a result of these are sometimes conditions the place you’ll be able to cease the lens down a bit.

At f/1.2 to f/1.4 the lens is tender in every single place, however surprisingly astigmatism appears to be decently corrected as we will see small particulars over many of the body.

Stopping all the way down to f/2.0 will increase the distinction considerably and the midframe space already appears respectable. The corners are nonetheless nothing to write down residence about.

From f/2.8 the middle exhibits actually good picture high quality and from f/4.0 the midframe as properly. For the corners to look good nonetheless, stopping all the way down to f/11 is just not a nasty thought.

For a lens from 1965 that pushed the boundaries of F-mount lenses that is really not a nasty efficiency. Lots of the legacy 50mm lenses with much less staggering most aperture values (e.g. the Nikon 50mm 1.4 Ai-s) don’t should be stopped down as a lot for good throughout body efficiency although.

Portrait 1.5 m (42mp Sony A7rII)

For portraiture it isn’t so essential how flat the sector is, it’s extra fascinating to see what the sharpness is like when centered at totally different elements of the body to take discipline curvature out of the equation.

We will likely be taking a look at 100% crops from the 42mp Sony A7rII.

f/1.2 <—> f/2.0

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 | 100% crops

That is roughly the main target distance I’d anticipate a lens like this to be optimized for and the photographs I took with this lens within the discipline additionally affirm that.

Trendy f/1.2 and even a few of the f/0.95 lenses will not be this tender at their most aperture, however much like the quick MS-Optics 50mm lenses astigmatism is properly corrected. This makes focusing a bit simpler in comparison with lenses the place this isn’t the case.

Additionally right here stopping all the way down to f/2.0 enormously will increase the distinction.

Shut 0.5 m, 1:7.2 (42mp Sony A7rII)

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai | refocused for each shot

A lot of the quick 50mm I reviewed had been M-mount lenses and a few of them spot very dangerous minimal focus distances of 1.0 m, so a 50mm 1.2 lens with 0.5 m is good for a change.

Clearly this lens contains a slightly easy unit focus design, so if you’re on the lookout for excessive decision photos, stopping down is certainly wanted. The Nikon 50mm 1.4 Ai-s performs very related at shared apertures on this class.

Flare resistance

Lots of the tremendous quick lenses battle on this class. And classic lenses much more so. Then again this lens consists of solely 5 teams and all the weather are multicoated.

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai | f/1.2

On the most aperture we will see some ghosts and likewise veiling flare lowering the distinction. However truthfully, this can be a higher efficiency than I’d have anticipated, as a result of this efficiency is manner higher than what I’ve seen from e.g the Canon 50mm 1.2 LTM or the Zhong Yi 50mm 0.95 MK III. Even the way in which youthful Canon EF 50mm 1.2L USM isn’t precisely doing an ideal job.

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai | f/11

Stopped all the way down to f/11 the scenario is definitely very related, however the ghosts are a bit extra bothersome.

On the finish of the day, the flare resistance of the Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai is healthier than I’d have anticipated contemplating its age and specs.

Coma

100% crops from excessive nook, centered on heart, Sony A7rII

Coma is an actual difficulty with these quick classic ~50mm lenses and this Nikon 55mm 1.2 is under no circumstances an exception. At f/1.2 to f/2.0 we see large coma artefacts. For largely clear corners stopping all the way down to f/5.6 is advisable.

The will to appropriate this aberration higher is the only purpose the Nikon 58mm 1.2 Noct with its aspherical factor exists. That is the one class the place you will note probably the most notable distinction between these two lenses.

Distortion

Sony A7III | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai | f/5.6

Distortion is low and uniform. There isn’t a profile in Lightroom obtainable, however dialing in +4 in Lightroom/Photoshop is doing an excellent job at correcting it.

Bokeh

There’s a lot to speak right here, so let’s get to it.

At shut distances with the lens set to f/1.2 there may be clearly a excessive quantity of blur, however what about its high quality? With not so busy backgrounds it may be very nice and whereas the focal aircraft is a bit tender at f/1.2 – due to spherical aberration – the topic will nonetheless stand out in these scenes.

With advanced/structured backgrounds issues get extra funky although. In these scenes it may be laborious to make out the precise focal aircraft and the busy bokeh would possibly even distract from the precise topic.

For head and head-and-shoulder portraits I discovered this lens to really work greatest for me. These are the distances the place I discovered sharpness to be the perfect at f/1.2 and to nonetheless be ample with the main target level within the midframe space.

Sony A7III | Nikon 55mm 1.2 Ai

At longer focus distances there are some issues to be careful for. The lengthy distance shot of the orange statue nonetheless appears largely effective as a result of the main target level is near the middle and extra importantly the topic additionally stands out in opposition to the background due to its catchy colour.

With the portrait of my pal Richard the scenario could be very totally different. His face is farther off heart the place the sharpness is missing and there may be additionally no excessive colour distinction right here that might assist. There isn’t a clearly outlined focal aircraft right here, this turns into very obvious when taking a look on the identical scene with the lens stopped all the way down to f/2.0.

Below the fitting circumstances it’s attainable to create an interesting bokeh with this lens, however you want to concentrate on its limitations and flaws to have the ability to make the perfect of it.

Sunstars

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 | 25% crops

As that is primarily a portrait lens I’d have enormously most well-liked no less than 9 rounded aperture blades, however Nikon determined to make use of a diaphragm made of seven straight ones. This configuration results in slightly distinct 14 pointed sunstars between f/2.8 and f/16. The lengths of the rays don’t look completely even to me, however then I’ve seen a lot worse from lenses of that period and for that occasional blue hour image these could be completely effective for me.
If you wish to know extra about sunstar rendering of various lenses take a look at this text.

Chromatic aberration

Lateral

100% crops from nook, Sony A7rII

Lateral CA are on a low to medium stage. Nonetheless simple to appropriate in publish with only one click on, e.g. in Lightroom so nothing to fret about.

Longitudinal

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 | 33% crops

Longitudinal CA are at a medium stage. At f/1.2 to f/1.4 they’re additionally considerably masked by the spherical aberration. At f/2.8 they’re largely gone. This efficiency is definitely not that dangerous in comparison with many Nikon AF(-D) and AF-S lenses from a number of a long time later. I anticipated worse.

Sony A7rII | Nikon 55mm 1.2 | 50% crops

We clearly see some purple fringing round excessive distinction highlights, but in addition right here the efficiency is a lot better than I’d have anticipated.

Conclusion

We have to speak about expectation managment right here. What do you anticipate from a lens first launched in 1965?

At this time now we have f/1.2 lenses that carry out higher at f/1.2 than this lens does at any aperture (e.g. the Sigma 35mm 1.2 Artwork DG DN or the Sony FE 50mm 1.2 GM). It’s possible you’ll level out how enormous and ponderous these excessive efficiency lenses are by comparability and you’re proper about that. However then there are additionally lenses just like the Voigtländer 50mm 1.2 Nokton which might be simply as small and nonetheless carry out manner higher at f/1.2, due to a number of aspherical surfaces. So for those who had been hoping this Nikon 55mm 1.2 presents the identical sort of efficiency as these aforementioned lenses at a lower cost you can be disillusioned.

In at present’s instances this lens is for these which might be on the lookout for one thing totally different. Who’re bored by the “optical perfection” of recent lenses and are on the lookout for a selected look, that “classic rendering”. In case you are amongst these, this 55mm 1.2 is an inexpensive entry ticket. You also needs to remember this lens is just not as simple to make use of as trendy ones. It’s optimized for near mid distances at f/1.2. For full physique portraits your topic higher be within the heart, in any other case it’s in all probability a good suggestion to cease down a bit.

Going by what I examine this lens, I obtained the impression that it have to be unusable at its most aperture. Wanting on the photos I took with it, I don’t agree with that. Understanding its strenghts and weaknesses is important although, however this assessment ought to assist with that.

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Alternate options

I reviewed numerous quick 50mm lenses however most of them have been M-mount lenses. I additionally did a Comparability of Tremendous Quick 50mm M-mount Lenses that is perhaps price a glance.
We even have a Information on 50mm Lenses that can be utilized on E-mount cameras (most of them additionally on different mirrorless cameras) that offers you a great overview.

Nikon 50mm 1.2 Ai(-s):
I solely used this lens shortly. From my recollections it performs related at f/1.2 to f/1.4 however higher at infinity barely stopped down. The Ai-s model of this 50mm options 9 aperture blades, which I would favor over the 7 of this 55mm 1.2. The 50mm 1.2 is noticeably costlier than this 55mm 1.2 and I’m really undecided it’s well worth the premium.
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Nikon 58mm 1.2 Noct Ai(-s):
Because of its hand floor aspherical factor this 58mm corrects coma a lot better, however don’t anticipate efficiency to be on par with excessive efficiency trendy lenses. For something however astrophotography I don’t assume this performs a lot better than the aforementioned 50mm 1.2 or the 55mm 1.2 being reviewed right here. Collectors have pushed up the value of this one to utterly absurd ranges. You don’t pay for its nice efficiency, just for its rarity. And it isn’t even that uncommon.
I nonetheless hope I get the possibility to sooner or later assessment one among these.
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Voigtländer 55mm 1.2 Nokton SLIIs:
Whereas Nikon declared the F-mount lifeless, Cosina is surprisingly nonetheless designing new F-mount lenses like this 55mm 1.2. In contrast to Cosina’s f/1.2 lenses for different digicam programs it doesn’t make use of aspherical parts although and actually its rendering is similar to this previous Nikon lens. Personally, if cash was no object, I’d gladly choose this Voigtländer lens for being a bit much less tender at f/1.2, that includes 9 rounded aperture blades, extra properly formed out of focus highlights, completely spherical rear factor with out cut-out and higher flare resistance.
purchase from Amazon.com | B&H | ebay.com | ebay.de (affiliate hyperlinks) for $699/649€ or discover your native Voigtländer distributor

Pattern Photos

A lot of the pattern pictures on this assessment will be present in full decision right here.

Additional Studying

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