I picked mine up a few weeks ago. It's a killer lens on the D700. I was worried about focusing at f1.2, but so far the focus indicators have been dead-on. If Nikon does release a AF-S version of this lens it will be a LOT more than the AIS version, new or old, and I really don't think the optics can be much improved.
Be ready to see these "cheap" lens prices go through the roof, that's what happened to all the Contax lenses when Alt users started to put em on Canon DSLR's. Already at KEH the old Nikon MF inventory is about 40% of what it was a while back.
thedruid wrote:
Be ready to see these "cheap" lens prices go through the roof, that's what happened to all the Contax lenses when Alt users started to put em on Canon DSLR's. Already at KEH the old Nikon MF inventory is about 40% of what it was a while back.
I have noticed the trend lately as well... maybe not so much a "trend" but a re-discovery of these lenses! It's probably due to the forums like this, where we praise these old classics which are so affordable!
Hopefully you're wrong and prices don't sky rocket because that would mean less opportunities for me to get these bargains!
Can you image what Nikon engineers were thinking when the release a 50mm 1.4g? Why can't they just put an AFS motor on their 50mm f1.2 AIS and charge twice as much. I would make things a little more interesting. Why make another boring 50mm? They have the 50mm f1.4 AFD already. I'm not going to even talk about the 35mm f1.8 dx decision process.
Well Nikon has submitted a patent for an AF version of the lens, so it might be coming. But at 1.2, with the DoF will be so thin, can the AF system handle it?
Nikon AFS can. Canon Ultrasonic can. Nikon AFD cannot (to much play). As a general rule, I shoot 1/2 to a full stop below maximum aperture. It is nice to have f1.2 at your disposal anyway. Looking thru a f1.2 lens is so nice and bright.
There are several reasons for the AI lens redesign, a move to internal focus would speed AF and put less stress on an AF-S motor. The AI lens's performance wide open isn't up to par with newer designs like the 24mm f/1.4, and if that lens is any indication they're probably designing with an eye towards smoother boke versus many of their older lens designs.
The Canon 50L, while not without it's problems (residual spherical aberration, aka focusing shift while stopping down), sets a high bench mark. Nikon needs to at least reach that point if they want to continue to draw wedding photogs away from the L line.
Jammy Straub wrote:
There are several reasons for the AI lens redesign, a move to internal focus would speed AF and put less stress on an AF-S motor. The AI lens's performance wide open isn't up to par with newer designs like the 24mm f/1.4, and if that lens is any indication they're probably designing with an eye towards smoother boke versus many of their older lens designs.
The Canon 50L, while not without it's problems (residual spherical aberration, aka focusing shift while stopping down), sets a high bench mark. Nikon needs to at least reach that point if they want to continue to draw wedding photogs away from the L line....Show more →
Wow!
I got brave and shot with my 2-days-new-to-me-from-e-bay 50/1.2 AIS at my girls birthday party with my D300. All I can say is that when I nail the focus it gives pretty stunning images. I did not shoot too much near wide open, but at f/2 or f/2.8 (or anything higher) it is fantastically sharp. The bokeh is just fine with me.
jhinkey wrote:
Wow!
I got brave and shot with my 2-days-new-to-me-from-e-bay 50/1.2 AIS at my girls birthday party with my D300. All I can say is that when I nail the focus it gives pretty stunning images. I did not shoot too much near wide open, but at f/2 or f/2.8 (or anything higher) it is fantastically sharp. The bokeh is just fine with me.
