New to Nikon's 50mm f1.2 manual focus lens

[Gavjenks]

1.2 is extremely difficult to focus manually, period. Unless you have superhuman eagle eyes, most people either need a manual focus focusing screen (split prism / microprism), or you need to use your LCD mode zoomed in, if you want reliable, maximum accuracy focusing manually at 1.2

Those lenses were manufactured in an era when the manufacturers assumed you WOULD have a split prism or microprism screen to help you focus, because pretty much all cameras had them. And they also assumed you'd have a bigger prism than most cameras have now.

 

[djacobox372]

Your camera should have a built in light meter, even in M mode. Use that and then tweak if need be.

The meter won't work on a non-cpu lens on a d90.

Don't expect miracles wwith the 1.2 its less than half a stop faster than 1.4.