I've just gotten myself a Nikon 55mm f/1.2 Ai lens

[invisible]

So today I sold my great (but rarely used anymore) Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8. With some of the money I made, I purchased a used, absolutely minty Nikon 55 1.2 Ai. The lens looks like exactly this and came with the genuine Nikon HN-5 lens hood and a Nikon L37c filter.

I'm not someone who gushes over gear, but oh boy is this toy something else! Of course the thing is manual, and it looks like I'll have to control the aperture using the ring on the lens instead of using the dial on the camera, but my D700 can meter with it with no problem.

First test image at 1.2 is below, SOOC (except the RAW conversion), no sharpening or any processing done.

And a crop of the area in focus:

Only 25,000 of this version of the lens were made, between 1977 and 1978. Does anybody know why so few or why it was discontinued? Or anything about the history of the lens?


EDIT January 13: First photo in the field:

Settings: 1.2, 1/12 sec, ISO 200 on full frame

 

[pixmedic]

very cool. should make for some awesome pictures.

 

[480sparky]

Do I see some CA?

Maybe they quit making 'em for lack of demand.

Click here. And here.

 

[invisible]

Do I see some CA?

It looks like it, but the amount is negligible I think.

Maybe they quit making 'em for lack of demand.

Click here. And here.

Yes, I had been to those sites. Here's another one. Apparently they discontinued this one to focus on the 50mm f/1.2 instead.

 

[480sparky]

Do I see some CA?

It looks like it, but the amount is negligible I think.

If it's that obvious in the center, what's it gonna look like in the corners?

 

[invisible]

Do I see some CA?

It looks like it, but the amount is negligible I think.

If it's that obvious in the center, what's it gonna look like in the corners?

Party pooper

 

[thetrue]

That DoF is so thin, it might not even exist!

 

[invisible]

That DoF is so thin, it might not even exist!

I'm already in the hunt for an f/1 lens. As soon as I find it, I'll sell the f/1.2 to Sparky.

 

[thetrue]

Sparky doesn't like any CA at all. I however would go buy an adapter to Canon

 

[thetrue]

I THINK unpopular has a 0.9 lens.......

 

[invisible]

I THINK unpopular has a 0.9 lens.......

Then I'll look for the Zeiss 50mm f/0.7. The race is on.

 

[480sparky]

I THINK unpopular has a 0.9 lens.......

Then I'll look for the Zeiss 50mm f/0.7. The race is on.

Didn't Canon make a 50mm f/0.95?

 

[Derrel]

Some info on this lens and its version history.

the_photo_forum_stuff Photo Gallery by Derrel at pbase.com

 

[invisible]

Some info on this lens and its version history.

the_photo_forum_stuff Photo Gallery by Derrel at pbase.com

Awesome, thank you for taking the time to scan and upload! Do you have any experience with this lens?

 

[Derrel]

Nope. I have never shot one. I've looked at a few, but never felt the need to buy one. I have a couple of 50 1.4's and three 1.8's and an f/2, plus a couple 55 Micro's and a 45/2.8 and a 60 Micro, so I am kinda "full up" on the normal FL lenses!!! The 55 1.2's I've handled were nicely made lenses though, as were most of the Nikkor lineup models made back in those days. Those are iPhone snaps, but the info is there!