I've been looking at the collection of a man who passed some time ago to help the family decide how best to deal with it. Some of the items are fairly exotic, like the pair of f .95s for Canon RF cameras I noted on the Canon site.

At the moment, I'm looking at a 55rmm f 1.2 Nikkor. I can find the 58mm version, which is very pricey, and the 50mm version which is merely expensive. What gives with the 55? Is it an orphan stepchild? It is AI, but not AIS FWIW....

Anyone out there actually use one of these beasts?

Hello, I did a write up some time ago on my sample of the 55/1.2 AI'd -
http://tonycorrea.com/blog/2011/05/nikon-55f12-review/

The lens was made from mid-60's through the late '70s. Originally an Non-AI lens, later models were available in native AI mount. Replaced by the 50mm f/1.2 AI in 1978.

Nice article; very useful. Love the vignetting, presumably at or near 1.2.....

papageno wrote:
Nice article; very useful. Love the vignetting, presumably at or near 1.2.....

Yes, lots of natural vignetting wide open, no Photoshop needed.
Thanks.

I have one, the S.C version, factory AI converted. My fave '50'.

I bought mine from a lady in Ottawa for $300, but depending on condition, I'd say up to $400 would be possible.

Dylan

Among the 1.2 Nikon lenses, the Noct 58mm is the best, the 50mm is very good and the 55mm is just an ok lens. It is still a decent "50mm" lens and a collector's item.

Guy

gugs wrote:
Among the 1.2 Nikon lenses, the Noct 58mm is the best, the 50mm is very good and the 55mm is just an ok lens. It is still a decent "50mm" lens and a collector's item.

Guy

Just an OK lens? That's rich!

IMO, I like its output better than the 50/1.2.

DTOB wrote:
gugs wrote:
Among the 1.2 Nikon lenses, the Noct 58mm is the best, the 50mm is very good and the 55mm is just an ok lens. It is still a decent "50mm" lens and a collector's item.

Guy

Just an OK lens? That's rich!

IMO, I like its output better than the 50/1.2.

Yes, I've noticed from other folks' images that the 55/1.2 seems to have a different look than my 50/1.2 and have played with the notion of grabbing one to shoot them side-by-side.
Both lenses have a very unique look to them wide open.

Usually you buy these f/1.2's to shoot them at f/1.2. If I want clinical sharpness and flare/coma control I use my excellent 50/1.8G.

John

Have yet to put it on the camera, but as a daily start-with lens it seems fairly bad. Strikes me as about as useable as a fisheye, although not for the same reasons.

make a great paperweight,,,if you need a paperweight in this day and age.....

papageno wrote:
Have yet to put it on the camera, but as a daily start-with lens it seems fairly bad. Strikes me as about as useable as a fisheye, although not for the same reasons.

make a great paperweight,,,if you need a paperweight in this day and age.....


Not a practical day-to-day normal lens, but creatively useful for it's unique character wide open. On a DX body makes a good portrait lens for those dreamy in-camera look at f/1.2.

papageno wrote:
Have yet to put it on the camera........Strikes me as about as useable as a fisheye, although not for the same reasons.

make a great paperweight,,,if you need a paperweight in this day and age.....

If you have yet to put it on camera, what reasons could you possibly have?

papageno wrote:
Have yet to put it on the camera, but as a daily start-with lens it seems fairly bad. Strikes me as about as useable as a fisheye, although not for the same reasons.

make a great paperweight,,,if you need a paperweight in this day and age.....

I'll give you 50 bucks for it right now.

I've been wanting a factory Ai'd K version. If I can find a reasonable price on one, I'll pick it up.