Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 Ai-S (MF)

Last Updated on May-12-2012

Latest Price: MYR 2008

Mount: Nikon FX

  • Maximum Aperture – f/1.2
  • Aperture Range – f/1.2 – f/16
  • Classic Nikon F Mount
  • AIS / AI / NAI Metering Compatibility
  • SIC – Super Integrated Lens Coating
  • Filter Size – 52mm
  • Engraved Aperture Ring
  • Depth-of-Field / Focus Distance Scales
  • Knurled Rubber Focusing Ring

Nikon’s ultra-high-speed NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 normal lens offers more possibilities in low-light photography. It also provides very shallow depth images when used at f/1.2. This lens is notably superior to the previous 55mm f/1.2 design and produces a better result at f/1.2.

This lens is built to Nikon’s classic all-metal manual focus standards offering smooth focusing and rugged construction. This is the fastest lens currently in Nikon’s line-up.

Reviews

Nikon 50mm f/1.2 Ai-s review by KenRockwell.com

The 50mm f/1.2 works better than I had expected. It’s super sharp, and distortion is as good or better than the common 50mm f/1.4!

Nikon cautions in the owners manual that if you want good resolution or close-up performance to use the 55mm f/2.8 AI-s Micro instead, however I find this 50mm f/1.2 really good.

This 50mm f/1.2 shines the brightest over other lenses at f/2, since it’s working at almost peak performance at f/2, while the f/1.4 and other lenses aren’t. Shot at f/1.4 it’s about the same as the f/1.4 lenses, and also at f/2.8 and smaller there isn’t much difference either.

For most people, especially with digital cameras, the Chinese-made 50mm f/1.4 AF-D is a much more practical choice, and it costs less.

This 50mm f/1.2 ia a special interest manual-focus lens. Get it only if:

1. You want the best manual-focus 50mm still made today. The 50mm f/1.2 has the same or better performance than the 50mm f/1.4 AI-s, and the 50mm f/1.8 manual focus lens is no longer made. I prefer the performance of this 50mm f/1.2 in many ways over the 50mm f/1.4 Zeiss-branded, Cosina-made lens.

2. You want the sharpest 50mm lens still made today by Nikon to shoot specifically at f/2.

3. You have a thing for 9-bladed diaphragms as I do.

4. You enjoy the feel of a first-class mechanical masterpiece.

5. You’d like to get a collectible lens while you still can, brand-new.

6. You might even be able to sell it next week for more money, but don’t bank on it now that I’ve let the cat out of the bag.

For real photography of living, moving things, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF is more practical, presuming you’re using an autofocus or digital camera. This manual focus lens won’t autofocus.