Nikon AiS 50mm f1.2

[Grev]

Just thought I'd ask about it's optical quality anyway, because I just bought one of these just then, should be here in a week or so.

I'm really contemplating on getting some of the more "useable" AiS lenses now. PS I know, it's no NOCT...

[Glen]

New or second hand? You don't hear much about this lens, will be interested to hear your opinions.

[Grev]

Second hand but in very good condition. I'll show it off after I get it. I know all the 50mm AiS lenses are much better made than the new AF ones... even those AiS 50mm f1.8 are well made. Sigh.

I might buy the AiS 35mm f1.4 next.

[Glen]

You are right, there is really no comparison between the AIS and the new lenses. Closest new one in quality is the 45P and even that probably doesn't match up.

[Grev]

They also test my MF skills. Which I can only seem to MF on Mamiyas...

The AiS 50mm f1.4 is a very good deal actually, and optically I don't think it's much different from the AFD lenses. And they're well within the $200 mark. The f1.8 at about $100 is even more delicious!

I feel like I'm going to collect them all, as I have a few SB28 and SB80DX already.

So 50mm collection scheme activated.

[gstark]

Grev,

I suspect that you'll find this new acquisition to be well worth whatever it is that you paid for it.

Which body will it be gracing?

[Grev]

Of course! And it's going on the D300. Maybe the D3 later on in the year.

And cost wise... I didn't care, I just bought it. No, not something over the top, it didn't go past the 3 digit mark, the first number is not or above the number 5 either.

[Steffen]

I used to own a 50mm f/1.2 AiS, until I sold it to a collector about a year ago...

It is a fairly massive chunk of equipment, no comparison to today's normal lenses. Optical performance is fairly good for a lens this fast. Wide open it shows pretty severe coma near the edges, so if you were planning to use it for astrophotography wide open - forget it. That's what the Noct was made for, it has a hand-figured aspherical element to correct for coma.

By about f/2 I'd liken the performance to the 50mm f/1.4AF, perhaps not quite as sharp as the 50mm f/1.8AF. From memory, the bokeh was very good, much better than the f/1.8, probably on par with the f/1.4. All in all it's a very good lens and worked well on the D2H. Manual focusing is a joy due to the shallow DOF, the bright viewfinder and the feel of the focusing ring.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Grev]

Thanks Steffen, will see if my sample is worse or better.