jrose125
Established
Hey Folks!
I have the opportunity to buy a Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 locally for an incredible price. The lens is 9/10 condition with only slight wear on the barrel (glass is immaculate) and the gentleman is selling it for less than half the price of what one in similar condition goes for.
The only thing that's stopping me from buying it immediately is the fact that I've never really heard much of this lens before and I can get a 50mm f/1.4 Ai for around the same price.
Does anybody have experience with this lense? Is it worth the buy over the 50mm f/1.4?
Thanks in advance!
I have the opportunity to buy a Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 locally for an incredible price. The lens is 9/10 condition with only slight wear on the barrel (glass is immaculate) and the gentleman is selling it for less than half the price of what one in similar condition goes for.
The only thing that's stopping me from buying it immediately is the fact that I've never really heard much of this lens before and I can get a 50mm f/1.4 Ai for around the same price.
Does anybody have experience with this lense? Is it worth the buy over the 50mm f/1.4?
Thanks in advance!
madNbad
Well-known
This might help with your decision:
http://www.nikkor.com/en/story/0049/
http://www.nikkor.com/en/story/0049/
jrose125
Established
Hey! Thanks the link... An interesting read for sure
jrose125
Established
Maybe incredible was a bit too ambitious of a word, but the gentleman is selling it for $200 CAD, which works out to about $150 USD. I thought it was a great price considering ones in similar condition are going for $300 USD or higher on Fleabay.
Huss
Mentor
If the glass is clean then, yes, I think that's incredible.
jrose125
Established
I was a bit skeptical until I viewed it in person but yeah, it really is spotless. No scratches, haze, fungus, or other blemishes. The only issue cosmetically (it really isn't an issue at all) is very minimal wear on the barrel from it being used.
It even comes with the (what I presume to be) original Nippon Kogaku front and rear lens caps.
Huss
Mentor
Mine all have cosmetic wear. $200 CAD for clean glass is killer.
Roger Hicks
Mentor
Go for it. The only reason I sold mine was that I use mostly Leicas for low-light.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
maryland_fotos
Well-known
Little known gem; at that price its a steal. Definitely get hold of the clip-on hood that was meant for it. Here's a Flickr album with 55 1.2 pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marylandphotos/albums/72157637496079283
jarski
Mentor
fascinating how much effort and time was put to shorten the focal length by mere 8 or 5 mm.
am having 50/1.2, but the appearance and handling of all-metal 55 version is more appealing.
Roger Hicks
Mentor
Mind you, I'd rather have the 58/1.4 than any of them... I had the original; I've not tried the remake.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
jrose125
Established
Wow... That depth of field is razor thin wide open! Thanks for sharing
jrose125
Established
Totally understandable. Mirror slap on these old beauties makes in almost impossible to use a speed under ~1/60th.
Timmyjoe
Mentor
How does the Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 compare to the current Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS lens, optically? Do they have similar optical characteristics?
Best,
-Tim
Best,
-Tim
Huss
Mentor
58 1.4? Do u mean the 58 1.2?
There are plenty out there, but the going rate is about $3000, vs $150 that the OP is looking at.
The current 58 1.4 is all about rendering, but since it no longer has an aperture dial it would be of limited use to someone using a Nikon F like the OP.
Roger Hicks
Mentor
Dear Tim,
Not really. The 50mm is technically better in just about every way, though you may prefer the "character" of the older lens. As I did with the 58/1.4 Nikkor-S, in production (as far as I know) only from 1959 or possibly 1960 to 1962.
Cheers,
R.
ferider
Mentor
The 55/1.2 is a character lens if there ever was one. Nowadays, quite a rare design for a fast normal, a rear extended Planar (where the typical more modern 50/1.2 - Zuiko, Nikkor, etc., all have two more air/glass interfaces).
My copy is slightly yellow.
Roland.
My copy is slightly yellow.
Roland.
GarageBoy
Well-known
Look up the original 5.8cm 1.4 - I believe that's what Ruger is talking about
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
I agree! I got a newer version for quite a bit more than that...if it's in fine condition then I'd say the choice is obvious.
leicapixie
Well-known
Mirror slap! You are kidding right? have you actually done a test?
strangely at certain speeds on a modern Leica there was a shake caused by shutter mmm?
Even my Fat Albert Pentax 6x7 was OK even without mirror lock.