The Most Beautiful Vintage lens in the World. The Noct Nikkor 58 f/1.2
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- Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
- #NOCTNIKKOR #LEICASL #DREAMYLENS
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Written Review at my Website: www.stevehuffp...
My fave full frame camera: bhpho.to/2B9y5cU
This legendary Noct Nikkor Lens is a 58mm f/1.2 but renders like nothing else in the world. It is renowned for its bokeh quality, its contrast and sharpness wide open and...ITS COST!
This is a lens that is no longer made but with mirrorless, may see a resurrection as it is a dream to shoot on a nice mirrorless body, and it is my favorite of all the "character lenses" out there.
Ive been drooling over this for 20 years and finally snagged one. Gorgeous rendering...
Those lenses were not ground by hand. I repaired Nikkor lens for 30 years. I was trained by Nikon here in the states and I know those lenses were ground by machine and hand inspected. They also were mist coated with fluoride. The are great lenses and very well made but not ground by hand.
Stop making such good videos! You are making the lenses even more expensive! 😭 Love your videos!
Thought I was having an Antique Roadshow moment, ran downstairs to look for my copy. Turns out I have a Nikkor 55mm f/1.2. From what I can see on eBay the extra 3mm of focal length are worth about $2,700.
Might also try the Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 at a fraction of a cost, has arguably a even better rendering, and more "character" as you say :)
Love my minoltas!
Wondering if it is compatible with Leica SL2, L mount or if an adapter is needed.
@@isearles there certainly are adapters
I use the 50 1.2 AIS on the D750. It's almost easy to focus via Optical viewfinder, because you have a focusing aid, that gives you a green dot when the subject is in focus; plus, you get either a left or a right arrow, indicating which way you should turn the focus ring to get focus. And when in doubt, open liveview and go 50% zoom.
Not rich enough for the Noct so I bought that Nikkor 50mm f1.2 and am happy with it. I would love a Noct but not at the current prices.
There is definitely something special about this lens. I love the results. Now I might consider one of my SL as well!
Now I miss my Nikkor 85mm, f1.8. So smooth, so sharp!
I feel the same about my voightlander 58 1.4. I love the results I get with it.
When I want a different look from the rest of my modern lenses. I pull out the Nikon 135mm f2.8 AI. I use it on my Z6 with focus peaking and the images are amazing. My clients have all liked the results it produces.
In use that lens with my D700,also a killer combination
Used to have this lens for a while after paying around US$1,200-1,300 equiv. for a new one (AiS version) over 20 years ago to shoot with my Nikon film cameras. Honestly speaking, by today's standards the lens was very poor optically. Massive vignetting which didn't go away until f/4. Soft in the center (and worse at the edges) at the max f/1.2 which didn't sharpen up to be on par with much lesser lenses like Nikon's own 50mm f/1.8 AiS until f/4 or maybe f/5.6 and also had more barrel distortion. One of the key characteristics some people have raved about, the bokeh, was IMO rather unusual than great. The blurred background "swirled" around the focal plane at the max and near max apertures like some sort of add-on post special effect. A lot of cheaper lenses on various mounts today can be had with smoother and more artifacts free background blurs while having better central sharpness than this megabuck vintage Nikkor.
I found the only thing it had going for it side from a high price tag and great optical quality myth was its unequalled ability in those days, and perhaps up to now, to capture specular highlights such as street lamps, decor lightings or any pointed light sources including stars essentially coma-free. Even several newer Leica M-mount lenses with aspherical elements that are still on sale new nowadays don't do as well in that regard.
Mine is sharp wide open at the focus point, wherever it may be. There are variations of this lens and also, shooting on any SLR would mean focus would be slightly off for each image. It is close to impossible to focus correctly wide open on any SLR, digital or film. With mirrorless we can see what the lens can do, but it's sharp wide open (see the crop on my website). It has high contrast, and vignetting is quite a bit less than what a Leica Noctilux gives you. I see no real vignetting at f2 (again, see samples). Here is one at f/2: www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/wideopenf2.jpg. In any case, it has a rendering that no other lens can match. Wether you like that rendering or not is another story, as not everyone will! I love it though. The beauty of this lens is that it is nothing like ANY modern day 50 or 58mm. The beauty is that it is not perfection, so if you want character, this lens is a jewel and a wise investment as well. Thanks!
The swirly bokeh that you described is highly desired by some people nowadays. Look up the Helios 44, it's probably your worst nightmare 😁
Fascinating how different people's tastes are!
I have one in great condition and it is fantastic! Love it on my Df
Your pictures are very beautiful. Excellent lens. Want one.....now
Many older lenses are good, very good actually. Some cost under $100 and can render photo just as good or better then cult lens that costs over 3K. Light, focus and composition is just as important as quality glass, and there's a lot of good glass out there, Soviet glass in particular, unknown or underrated based on mostly bias view.
Soviet glass was mostly a horrible piece of optical garbage that tried to copycat renowned manufacturers but failed every time. There are VERY few ok/decent soviet lenses and the only biased view here is yours.
you have no idea what you're talking about LOL 😂
Wow.. it's amazing to see your love for this lens..
How would you rate a Nikkor 50 1.2 AIS against this one.. this lens is available to me at a very good price.. pls advise. I would be using this on Fujifilm xt3, apsc
they are different. 50 1.2 is not sharp at 1.2
I’ve got a Minolta MC 58mm f/1.2 (for roughly 1/10th the price) which is also famous for its rendering. I really like it but I only use it occasionally due to its very soft rendering at f/1.2; this Noct Nikki’s seems to be sharper open wide. It’s not one of my go-to lenses but I really like having a specialty lens with so much character!
I bet the Rokkor 58 1.2 is not far off from the Noct. The rendering is remarkable and the sharpness wide open is good enough I would say.
Dorf Schmidt it‘s less the sharpness and more the micro contrast that tanks at f/1.2 with the Rokkor. It all looks a bit hazy which disappears at f/2. Fine for portraits but sth to be aware of. At least with my copy!
i love the way the snake scales look in that photo
The body language from your hands and the complete tunnel vision focus when presenting the lens as from the reflection of the lens is immaculate to say the least
Dream lens..... I own most of the Nikkor old AI primes and hope to own this lens one day. For the moment I'm shooting with the 55mm f1.2 Nikkor lens. It's not as sharp wide open but has a unique look all of its own.
i have the pre ai version of the nikkor Q 135 2.8. i converted to use with my D700. the rendering on the lens is amazing, it only has 4 elements in 4 groups
*Minolta MC Rokkor-X 58mm f1.2* Equally unique, and has it’s own character.
Its better, like every other rokkor lens > nikkors
Lovely. Also I appreciate your attitude. Keep it up mate,
I want to see you comparing the Minolta Rokkor 58mm 1.2 with this one. I'm in love with my Rokkor
I’ve had both at the same time. Not even close. Noct destroys.
I use the Nikkor 55mm f1.2 on my F2 and although not considered the best of the 3 of the time I prefer it to my Leica 50mm F1.4 M Summilux. It's also a bargain at around £250 uk
Superinteresting images. Bokeh at it's max. Focusing on optical viewfinder slrs was very simple and very fast due to a split prism (or how it was called - english is not my native language). Most of slr cameras had one.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE: after shooting with normal or decent glass, I want CRAZY, INSANE, VIBRANT, DIFFERENT. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Long exposure is with the Noct Nikkor in a class, all by itself. No star effect at radiant light and the closest thing to the human eye's perception of night vision. Highly recommendable.
I would submit to you the Nikon 20mm f/3.5
NIKKOR-UD Auto (1967-1974), A truly magical lens!
I like your joy when you're speaking about it. It remind my fever when I bought the ais 50mm 1.2 for exactly the same reason. Never regret and highly recommend it too🌞📷🌞 I use it with d780 ( live view for the same reasons you explained)
For bokeh and color, try the Nikon 105mm f2DC lens.
This makes me want to breakout my dad's old film lenses to see what they bring. Thanks 😊
I'm glad my acuity for rendering matured before Sony and Sigma lenses became popular. If I were starting photography today, I'd be all over the sharpest lens without knowing what I was missing and I'd have a full set of expensive clinically sharp lenses which I'd eventually grow out of.
The rendering on the 55mm F1.8 Sony zeiss is on another level compared to these old nikors.. I have the 50 F1.2 Nikor.. Paper weight.
@@robert7622 You didn't understand a single word of what Michael Ma said, did you?
Outstanding!!
I have the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 and after watching this I love it even more --- even if it isn't the beautiful Noct 58.
Just really happy to have a Topcor 58mm 1.4!
Yes, nice bokeh .... and nice CA too. Same kind of atmosphere as with the MINOLTA MC Rokkor pg 58/1.2 or the KONICA HEXANON AR 57/1.2 ....... but the price in used market, my god, around 3000/4000 bucks ..... A bit crazy loco no ? Even if it is a great lens.
As a poor, struggling photographer, this lens is out of my reach. I do however, have a vintage Canon FL 55 1.2 that I use regularly. These are far cheaper on the used market and bloody Amazing! I would love to try the Noct one day!
I have one, I totally agree! This is why I still have it and use it.
I use it on Df. Great pop with this sensor. Tip : focus super precise from near distance till arrow changes
That music at the start is awesome.
I am one of those people that loves the look of this lens, and you've captured it well here. i enjoy imperfect lenses quite a bit, people get so hung up on clinical looking perfection, feh. I;m just take snaps and will never photograph Seal on tour, etc, so I have no need for such a lens. I do have the Nikkor 55/1.2 which I would describe as a character, rather than having character, if that makes sense. I admire your enthusiasm.
+1 for using "feh"
Hey can I say we did have focusing aids on film Nikons AKA split image.
I have this Noct 58mm since I bought it new way back when, I agree... its special.
Use it with my F3 as well as Digital, love it !
i have been gathering some old glass myself,because i like the build quality...
A lens I will never get rid of! What a laugh. How many times have we said that as lifelong photographers?
Way out of my budget. Currently my favourite vintage lens is the Rollei HFT Planar 50mm f/1.8. Licensed fabrication of the Zeiss Planar, successor to the famous Zeiss Ultron. Often comes in strange Rollei QBM mount but that's only good for buying it used - keeps the price lower than imagined.
There is current Nikkor 105 1.4 E ED lens with excellent rendering & bokeh with 2000 euro price.Its also unbelievable good.IMHO.And I shoot some portraits with it with WOW! effect.
The f/1.2 sounds exotic but it was a very common aperture for the lenses of manual focus cameras of the past.
Canon produced the FD 50mm f/1.2, FD 50mm f/1.2L, FD 55mm f/1.2, FD 55mm f/1.2 AL, FD 85mm f/1.2, FD 85mm f/1.2L, FL 55mm f/1.2, FL 58mm f/1.2, FL 58mm f/1.2 II, R 58mm f/1.2.
Olympus the OM 50mm f/1.2, OM 55mm f/1.2.
Nikon the 50mm f/1.2, 55mm f/1.2, 58mm f/1.2.
Pentax the SMC 50mm f/1.2
Also there is the Canon 50mm f/0.95 dream lens which was made for canon rangefinder cameras
Pentax 50mm f1.2 has similar rendering but way cheaper
Very very nice. I assume that you use focus magnification on the SL ?
Some of the shots I did but most of the time I didn't need it. Thanks.
This lens is a masterpiece. Here’s to hoping I’ll get my hands on one in the near future. I’m currently rocking with the sub $200 nikkors.
I am a huge fan of vintage glass, and have two of the three Nikkor f/1.2 SLR lenses: the 50mm in AI-s and a very early run of the 55mm. One of them is on one of my bodies almost all of the time. I love the vintage rendering, and they are both absolutely bonkers sharp at f/2. And yes, even wide open they are sharp in the center; there's just a touch of haze and you have to *absolutely* nail focus. I have to zoom in on live view to really nail focus wide open.
I would love to round out my collection with a Noct...but it's just not in my budget.
for vintage lens I think Angenieux/Cooke/Dallmeyer/Kinoptic/Hugo/RossLondon are actually creating better rendering and bokeh but they are much more expensive though
Finally after 6 years of obsessing about it, I'm soon buying the Contax Planar 80/2 and getting it adapted to shoot 6x6 film... I feel your pain man! :D
Thank you for this, enjoy it! That thing is the real legend
Actually from my experience, when using these old lenses on film cameras are easier then on a dslr.
The viewfinders back then was made for manual focus, on a dslr it really isnt.
Personally I installed a split prism focus screen in my Nikon d810, and it makes it so much easier to manual focus.
Try mirrorless. Digital punch in and EVF is awesome.
Yup, I did the same for my Canon 7D. Installed split prism for manual lens use. It helps a lot.
I would’ve loved to see a side by side with let’s say a more basic lens of high quality like the 58 1.4 Nikkor to see if all things being the same they are different
I don’t get it though.. you say the noct-Nikkor beats all those other 50mm lenses because “it’s different” but all those lenses are different.
Beautiful work!!
Nice lens, nice shots, nice review
I wonder if dslr market descent will depreciate the prices of this lens.
Cool lens, always love the 50's with large apertures 👍
What a great combo the Noct on the SL is!!!! Harks back to film looks!!
?? This is nothing like film
@@eladbari Have you ever seen film in your life?
Using vintage lenses like this on vintage slr Nikons is relatively easy depending on which focusing screen you have in the camera
Which camera works best with the Noct., Leica M, Nikon Z or Sony Alpha?
Id say the Nikon Z 8 or 9 though any mirrorless camera can use the lens. Really, personal preference. This lens and a Z8 is a stunning combo.
@@HiFiHuffZ sensor flatten images. Great pop with Df
A beautiful lens! I've used the regular Nikon 1.2 before, but not the Noct.
What about the Konica 57mm f1. 2 any comparison
Never tried it. But again, no lens will match the rendering of this lens. So while the Konica 57 1.2 may be outstanding, it will not render like a Noct Nikkor. Many great vintage choices!
58 is better to me
Wow, Amazing pics
Pancolar 55/1.4 says "Am I a joke to you?"
Well, if you're running a business and it's tax deductable, then yes. It's art rather than science and I completly understand the motivation. Good on you. BobUK.
I have a Zeiss Planar 1.4/50 and I got used to on how to focus. But the tremendous spherical abberation makes it hard to set the focus right. I upgraded a Zeiss Planar 2/50 makro for my portrait work. This latter lens is so much better when focussing. The image sharpness is unblievable. I am using manual lenses because I want to be different. I also shoot more on film (black and white to colour and cine film)
hell yea man!
Leica Noct version 2 is the best vintage lens I have ever used. It has unique character.
Now try a HELIOS-44M-4. For a little % of your price. ;-) I use it and never change. Best for portraits.
+ try a mix of bokeh & zoom/rotate blur on analog efex, tinker and tweak it and you'd get virtually the the same result as noct and it's free (if you've installed it before dxo bought it from google)
I actually have the af version of that lens and don't like it. Most probably conversion was not perfect. Still my favorite is helios 44m , my sweet spot.
Does a K3 Focusing Screen help for better manual focus on a Leica like a Digilux 3 or on a Nikon DSLRs? There is a webshop where you can find Focus Screens.
Unless I missed it, is there any preferred 6 Bit coding ?
MORE THAN AWESOME: IT IS 📷
Great point about the thin DoF MF lenses working better on mirrorless cameras than they ever did with SLRs
What version do you recommend? AI or AI-S?
Nikkor 58 1.4 is the AF version of this which I am not sure why you didn't try or mention. The rendering is similar but more vivid and better micro contrast in the newer lens. If you are into the same looks and not for the collection value then I recomand that you try the 58 1.4 first.
I'm not aware of any 58mm f1.4 Nikon lenses. I believe all the AF lenses at 50mm from Nikon are f1.4 or f1.8
Nikon launched 58mm 1.4 only in 2013, while Nikkor 58mm f1.2 noct was released in 1977 that pave the way for profesional use of 1.2's.
I have dreamt about owning this lens
What about the Nikon Autofocus 50mm F1.4 Pre-D Version, Nikon 50mm F1.8 AIS E Series, Nikon 50mm F1.4 AIS and the Nikon 55mm Micro F3.5 AI lenses? I have all of these lenses in my kit.
I love my Nikon 50mm F1.8 AIS E Series, though I mostly use a newer autofocus version nowadays, I still bring that one out for the manual aperture ring and bokeh control
I love my Pany Leica Noctricron 42.5mm f1.2 and you can buy them new or second hand
My dream is to be a concert photographer and I was hoping you had any tips on how to get into the industry? I’ve also shot one show before and I fell in love, id love to hear feedback if I can take a look at my photos?
Come on. Focusing the Noct (or any lens) on a vintage film camera is easy with a microprism focusing screen. Auto-focus DSLRs did away with the screen, making manual focus difficult even with the focus dot. But, in the 1970s, 1980s... focus screens came in various patterns to suit (say) portrait photography or landscapes. You could switch them in/out. My Pentax K and K1000 had them. My Nikon F4 had them. Heck, you can even get them for Nikon's original DF!
Can you please share what adapter are you using ?
My best friend bought this lens a couple of years ago for a thousand bucks in pristine condition at the local camera shop. He didnt even know, that this lens was so effin expensive and special. Well, now he knows :D Man, it just renders so beautifully. I just use my Pentax K 55mm f1.8 for 15 bucks^^
I feel it has the same magic and character as the new Fuji 50mm f1.0
great story ..thank you for sharing
Unicorns and fauns rule here. Or maybe not? If you want this kind of look, today's PP software can approximate it convincingly. Otherwise, it's all about (legitimate) appreciation of venerable old lenses - lenses that in themselves are works of art - with unparallelled build quality to match. An object of desire; of mechanical excellence, along with optical quirks. I'm a massive fan of vintage lenses, but at its current price, this one is for collectors rather than photographers - those with lots of dosh.
Random side note: your sound is impeccable, very clean. First thing I noticed.
How close does the Nikon 50mm 1.2 come to this lens?
I have the 50mm f/1.2. Its more of a general purpose lens, soft, with a kind of 'glow' effect wide open. The 50mm f/1.2 is a design from the 1980s and can't compete against current lens designs. The Noct was specifically designed to be shot at f/1.2. In fact I think it might underperform other Nikon 50s at other apertures.
Waiting you compare with leica APO SL 35 mm or 50mm.
No point to compare this with any other lens as there is no lens that renders like it. This is a lens made for the rendering and character it gives, not technical specs. The Leica 50 APO sl will render 100% differently and way more modern, with a look like most every other 50 gives us. What I am saying is, there is no comparison to this as no lens on earth will deliver this exact look ; ) thanks!
You failed to mention that its optical elements are of aspherical design.
Nikkor 55mm 1.2 is a lot cheaper and I love the character personally.
Yes, this lens is widely underrated.
@@dorfschmidt4833 let's hope it stays that way! 😉
It's too much artsy at f1.2. I shot with it 2 years straight and just got tired of it. Lying in the bottom of my cabinet.
Interesting review but unfortunately way out of budget. But since I have the pro on the line ;-) regarding 50 mm how about the Nikkor 50mm 1.2 from the same time? Or better the Voigtländer 50 1.2 or Zeiss 1.5 ??? Questions you might can help me to answer. I am shooting it on a Leica m240 . Thanks for the advise .
MrBillboeing I used to have Nikkor 50/1.2 it’s soft wide open , and mostly I need to stop down to at least F 2 or 2.4 to get a sharp image.
jeffry palempung thank you Jeffry to share your experience .
MrBillboeing I have & use the 50mm 1.2 all the time & I wouldn’t say it’s soft at all; yes the focus is super critical and your working on a plane of cm’s close up but the look and feel is amazing. For £4/500 I don’t think there’s a better lens. I also use it to shoot film as it’s full frame and often prefer it to my Zeiss cinema lenses.
Bani Mendy thank you for your experience report. I guess I just have to try it by my self to make a judgment.
Lol... doesn't make Seal's music sound any better though
That is why music is subjective
I bet that the new Z mount manual 58mm f/0.95 will challenge the much older 58mm f/1.2
It will and it will be miles better but it will never be the f/1.2. You gotta appreicate for what these lenses are, just know that in thier time, they were top notch. I love my canon 50mm f0.95 as I do my noctilux 0.95, worlds apart but I can pick any one of them up and not think that I should go for the noctilux just because it is better. Its about atistery and appriecating what each lens can do, on that note hats off for Nikon in creating the 58mm noct 0.95!
Achilleas Labrou $8,000 😷
It's not going to challenge the bokeh rendition. It will be better resolution-wise and better aberration control, much better coma, vignetting etc., but get a gorgeous girl, put her 10 feet in front of a bush/tree with leaves, and the old Noct will still give a prettier image :D
Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Aspherical: *_I'm I a joke to you?_*
Love the results but couldn't afford the price 😱👍
The Nikkor lens made in the 1970s were heavy. The new ones are light probably made with plastic
Hihi I have bought myself last month the nikon 58mm f1.4 for 800 euro and learning to use it. This lens gives also a "mystique" look . How does ik compare to the nikon 58 mm 1.2. ? Do you know that? Thanks mate for your respons. Henk Bogers