Is it worth it?
Discussion
Gents,
I have the opportunity to buy a Nikon 50mm f1.2 for what looks to be a very good price.
I already have a 50mm f1.8 - but I was thinking of picking the f1.2 up for portraits and artistic shots.
The question I have - is it worth it? Or will I see little difference between that and my 1.8?
I know it's a manual focus lens - I'm happy with that - just thought it would be an interesting addition.
Chris
I have the opportunity to buy a Nikon 50mm f1.2 for what looks to be a very good price.
I already have a 50mm f1.8 - but I was thinking of picking the f1.2 up for portraits and artistic shots.
The question I have - is it worth it? Or will I see little difference between that and my 1.8?
I know it's a manual focus lens - I'm happy with that - just thought it would be an interesting addition.
Chris
There's a lot of 'it depends' here.
I would say they're a nice lens, have a certain look to them but for the money you're likely to pay, I think there are better modern options. Sigma art 50mm being obvious option. But old lenses have a certain appeal and if that is calling, there are much worse things to splurge some cash on.
I would say they're a nice lens, have a certain look to them but for the money you're likely to pay, I think there are better modern options. Sigma art 50mm being obvious option. But old lenses have a certain appeal and if that is calling, there are much worse things to splurge some cash on.
toohuge said:
Thank you gents..... expensive hobby this!
It will work out...Buy f1.2 lens
Set it to f1.2 - woot!
Take lots of photos
Discover they're all out of focus
Have another go
Realise that DSLR VFs are useless for manual focus
Switch to Live View
Discover that Live View is too slow
Set lens to f2 for better DOF
That's a bit better.
Then realise that the lens you already had can do f2 and has AF.
Sell f1.2 lens for £300.
Profit: £100.
Simpo Two said:
toohuge said:
Thank you gents..... expensive hobby this!
It will work out...Buy f1.2 lens
Set it to f1.2 - woot!
Take lots of photos
Discover they're all out of focus
Have another go
Realise that DSLR VFs are useless for manual focus
Switch to Live View
Discover that Live View is too slow
Set lens to f2 for better DOF
That's a bit better.
Then realise that the lens you already had can do f2 and has AF.
Sell f1.2 lens for £300.
Profit: £100.
Very good Simpo
I would echo exactly what Simpo has said.
In addition I would add that you need to understand a little about why the f1.2 existed and what it was for.
It was a film lens, for use with a microprism and split image focus screen. In this setup, the brighter the lens, the better the split image works. DLSRs use fresnel viewfinder lenses and don't see an improvement in viewfinder brightness or autofocus performance below f2, and it drops off rapidly past f2.8
In addition, the older bright Nikon lenses were not really designed to be shot wide open. They were only that wide to help the viewfinder and microprism. You will find they are not at all sharp or free from CA wide open on a DSLR, and need to be shot at around 2.4 to achieve modern standards of sharpness. You should also note they continue to improve and are *extremely* sharp stopped down to 5.6 to f8, and comfortably beat out even modern pro f2.8 zooms at this aperture.
If you own an F3, or my favourite the FM2 it is definately worth picking up a Nikon f1.2.
On a Modern DSLR ( with a Nikon focus motor ) I would reccomend the 50mm f1.4 D lens. This works very well as long as you don't shoot at f1.4 in contrasty light or ask it to track a rapidly moving object.
In addition I would add that you need to understand a little about why the f1.2 existed and what it was for.
It was a film lens, for use with a microprism and split image focus screen. In this setup, the brighter the lens, the better the split image works. DLSRs use fresnel viewfinder lenses and don't see an improvement in viewfinder brightness or autofocus performance below f2, and it drops off rapidly past f2.8
In addition, the older bright Nikon lenses were not really designed to be shot wide open. They were only that wide to help the viewfinder and microprism. You will find they are not at all sharp or free from CA wide open on a DSLR, and need to be shot at around 2.4 to achieve modern standards of sharpness. You should also note they continue to improve and are *extremely* sharp stopped down to 5.6 to f8, and comfortably beat out even modern pro f2.8 zooms at this aperture.
If you own an F3, or my favourite the FM2 it is definately worth picking up a Nikon f1.2.
On a Modern DSLR ( with a Nikon focus motor ) I would reccomend the 50mm f1.4 D lens. This works very well as long as you don't shoot at f1.4 in contrasty light or ask it to track a rapidly moving object.
You say you like the idea of the lens for portraits and artistic shots? You don't say if you are shooting with a full frame sensor? Which will make some difference...
It's true that nailing focus becomes much harder with large apertures (you need to bracket focus), but when you do nail it, especially for artistic portraits, you get the wow factor you cannot achieve with f1.8.
A couple of hundred quid, if you can afford it, is a bargain, plus you get a really bright viewfinder... and you can always stop down to f1.8 for the boring sharp pictures everyone else takes...
It's true that nailing focus becomes much harder with large apertures (you need to bracket focus), but when you do nail it, especially for artistic portraits, you get the wow factor you cannot achieve with f1.8.
A couple of hundred quid, if you can afford it, is a bargain, plus you get a really bright viewfinder... and you can always stop down to f1.8 for the boring sharp pictures everyone else takes...
Thank you gents...
The only thing holding me back is that if I order it - it'll be shipped to my home in the US - which usually isn't a problem, but I wont be able to pick it up till mid/late January which will be outside of the return period available - it's a bit of risk that'd I'd rather not take in case it's a lemon!
I shoot with a crop sensor at the moment, D7200 - which so far has served me well and although I love upgrading... it'll be difficult to go full frame from here as I love the AF on this camera and anything similar in full frame is mega bucks still.
All my lenses, except a 35mm prime are full frame so it will be an easy transition as and when I make the jump, but even used, FF cameras are big money, especially compared to the deals on D500's on the gray market.
Thanks for your input gents!
The only thing holding me back is that if I order it - it'll be shipped to my home in the US - which usually isn't a problem, but I wont be able to pick it up till mid/late January which will be outside of the return period available - it's a bit of risk that'd I'd rather not take in case it's a lemon!
I shoot with a crop sensor at the moment, D7200 - which so far has served me well and although I love upgrading... it'll be difficult to go full frame from here as I love the AF on this camera and anything similar in full frame is mega bucks still.
All my lenses, except a 35mm prime are full frame so it will be an easy transition as and when I make the jump, but even used, FF cameras are big money, especially compared to the deals on D500's on the gray market.
Thanks for your input gents!
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