Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS Nikkor

Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS Nikkor User Reviews

• 9 out of 10 points and recommended by desmobob (8 reviews)
  Effects at f/1.2

  Focusing at f/1.2

  Hard to nail focus with wide open. Even using the AF assist dot in my D750's viewfinder, the tiny bit of movement while focus is indicated will result in front or back focusing that can leave the desired area of the frame out of focus. It is shocking how narrow the DOF is when shooting at f/1.2.
  
  This lens is unique in that it's almost like having two lenses in one. It's performance at f/1.2 through f/1.6 is of lower contrast, a tiny bit soft around the edges, and sometimes producing a pleasant "glow"... nice effects for portrait shots.
  
  But stopped down to f/2, it changes like a switch has been thrown... the contrast pops back up and the sharpness comes on strong. From f/2 and smaller, it's impressively sharp and the IQ is great.
  
  I have seven different Nikkor 50mm lenses, MF and AF, from the pre-Ai f/2 to the newest "G" models and this one is the most distinctive and fun. If I could only keep just one, this one would be it!

  reviewed April 14th, 2022 (purchased for $350)
• 7 out of 10 points and not recommended by Moggy4you (12 reviews)
  1.2 creamy bokeh - VERY sharp at f 5.6

  HORRIBLE coma at night on 3/4 of the edge at 1.2 aperture.

  Wide open not really useable unless for special effects (bokeh, which admittedly is very nice)
  So why buy a 1.2 lens; bragging rights?
  The best in what there is but market value; not really worth the money.

  reviewed August 20th, 2021 (purchased for $300)
• 10 out of 10 points and recommended by Phiggys.com (7 reviews)
  Light gathering ability, smooth focus and build quality, soft dreamy images and bokeh wide open

  Soft images at the edge wide open

  Purchased with my Nikon F2 film body and has been used on most my digital bodies as well.
  Also adapted to my mirrorless bodies. Its a fabulous lens that gives you the ability to create some outstanding creative Images. Stopped down its beautifully sharp.
  This lens Will always stay in my lens Arsenal.

  reviewed September 14th, 2019
• 10 out of 10 points and recommended by ioshertz (6 reviews)
  Just… amazing!

  Incredible lense! It's a great pleasure to photograph with!
  
  Here you can see some NEF's I made - https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3akmexHeHI_SkhaYjRheVlFWnM&usp=sharing
  
  I guess there is a little back focusing with the D90 I have, not sure about it as I shoot handheld, there is a shift in colour and contrast for sure - getting warmer when close to 1.2, you can see it in the samples
  
  And again - amazing!

  reviewed February 14th, 2016
• 9 out of 10 points and recommended by Airy (16 reviews)
  Sharpness from f/2, bokeh

  High barrel distortion, some CA

  A lens with a dual personality :
  
  At 1.2-1.4, you get a sharp center but the whole pic looks veiled and dreamy. I could get "underwater" rendering without ever getting wet.
  
  From f/2, it is as sharp as any modern 50mm lens, and flares reasonably.
  
  An extremely useful lens that fits many shooting styles, from the creative to the detached/neutral. Much better value, IMHO, than the 50/1.4 or 50/1.8 AIS. Barrel distortion and CA are present but easily corrected in post processing.
  
  Not that suitable though for night shots because of coma wide open ; the widest apertures are for low light (portrait, boudoir, nude...), not to be confused with night photography.
  
  I use it mostly on a Df with the standard matte screen, plus a DK-17M loupe. It takes some training to focus properly, but it's feasible.

  reviewed April 26th, 2015
• 9 out of 10 points and recommended by dugong5pm (52 reviews)
  fast, usable f/1.2, build quality, takes standard 52mm filters

  none

  Nikon'n faster alternative than the usual 50/1.4. It was a luxury back then. I've got this lens along with my Nikon FA. It was like having some piece of japanese luxury. The first thing you'll be noticing is the build quality. It feels solid & sturdy in your hand. The lens is fully loaded with some fine glasses and mostly metal parts. It's good.
  
  Performance is good. You'll get a very usable images wide open, even sometimes you'll get that dreamy look over your images. Well, it's not a Noctillux. The good thing from the old lens designs are that they're using the standardized 52mm filter thread, including this fast 50/1.2.
  
  I would highly recommend this lens for film/analog users or digital bodies with live-view enabled features. For non-live view cameras, focusing can be a serious problem wide open. DoF is hair-thin. You might want to consider installing a split screen on the viewfinder.

  reviewed October 14th, 2012 (purchased for $225)
• 9 out of 10 points and recommended by DavidNJ (3 reviews)
  Sharp wide open, good color rendition, 9-blade aperture

  Manual

  I use this lens and the AI version (7-blade aperture but 180° of focus rotation) on a Canon 7D. The lens can be used wide open without noticeable sacrifice in image quality on the crop sensor camera. Color rendition is good. It isn't too bulky. Shares 52mm filter ring with other Nikon AIS lenses. On the 7D it is equivalent to 80mm, and makes a good portrait lens. It is one of my favorite lenses and I use it frequently.

  reviewed March 13th, 2011 (purchased for $360)