Sharpest Nikon mount 50mm ever?

[shaunly]

Does anybody know? Does not have to be Nikon brand. AF/MF doesn't matter. Money is no object. And it has to be wide opened. Just curious that's all. :mrgreen:

 

[Derrel]

Probably the 50mm f/1.8 Ai-S, the very first version made: NOT the small,compact version that was made for several years, but the rare, early one.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Wide open the Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT-Nikkor is pretty amazing. It's not "50mm", but it's good enough for government work i'd say.

 

[haring]

Yes, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT!

 

[NateS]

I would have to say the new Sigma 50mm f1.4 would be a contender. If you get a sharp copy (which I had) it is ridiculously sharp.

 

[angel2oo7]

+1 for the Noct-Nikkor, very sharp wide open with good contrast:

 

[shaunly]

Probably the 50mm f/1.8 Ai-S, the very first version made: NOT the small,compact version that was made for several years, but the rare, early one.

Is this the one that came after the 50mm f/2 in the 70s?

 

[shaunly]

Wide open the Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT-Nikkor is pretty amazing. It's not "50mm", but it's good enough for government work i'd say.

yea, I read that at f1.4 it's sharper than others at f8!

 

[haring]

It is only manual focus, right?