Nikon 50mm 1.2 vs 1.4 Lens Comparison
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- čas přidán 23. 01. 2018
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I bought one of these 50/1.2 lenses used a couple years ago and it has kicked every other 50mm out of my bag. I always have it, the lens is simply indispensable. Not only does it make magical images at f/1.2 (this takes a lot of practice, but once you know how to nail focus and compose scenes with it, truly stunning), with very special color rendering, but it also out-performs any other Nikon 50mm at f/2, f/2.8, f/4, etc., in every category. I have the 50/1.4 AF, the 50/1.4 MF, and several 50/1.8 lenses. compared some shots at f/2.8 to the venerable 24-70/2.8...there is seriously no contest. That being said, there are situations where AF and VR are quite necessary (like shooting kids), and this old manual focus war horse becomes more challenging.
The strongest point of the 1.2 ais is not the 1.2 but the 2.0 aperture and up, should have been a comparison at the same aperture. This video is a fail and a missed opportunity to compare the lenses. To have a decent comparison look for the Matt Granger video comparison and you'll see how much the 1.2 ais lens blows the 1.4 G out of the water.
The 1.2 is extremely sharp at f/2, which is where I use it most the time. Bokeh is great at that aperture as well.
Daniel Delgado that is true. The problem is that at that aperture you see polygonal bokeh shapes with that lens on certain scenarios.
castlev I can’t recall seeing much of that polygon shape at f/2. Maybe just a tiny bit, but not enough to classify it as polygon. I’ll check my photos when I get home.
Daniel Delgado yes it just starts showing up. You start noticing the straight blades at that point in certain scenarios. instagram.com/p/BO8GV7Ug80a/ look at that photo (top right of the frame). I still like the character at 1.2.
@@odagled you can cut from black paper any shape and put it to the front of the lens to have stopped down for example I use heart shaped and it willl produce heart shaped bokeh in the background lights
You just missed a very important comparison: both lenses at 1.4. Thanks for your time, good review...
My 50 1.2 clicks to 1.4. To get 1.8 would be a half click. The comparisen at 1.4 could have been done.
This 50mm at f2 is sharper and less distorted than anything on earth, it also has the best bokeh at f2 than anything else on the planet.
I understand that you want people to buy your flash disc thingy but putting a studio flash into that just looks ridiculous...
It is difficult to see the idea of having F1.2 lens when the samples in this video are focused on the nose :D. This was not even close to a useful comparison of two lenses or to get any idea what to expect from the Nikkor 50 1.2...
To have the entire review about 1.2 only is missing the best traits of this lens. I shoot this mainly at f2. Nothing compares to the excellent sharpness & smooth background at f2 with this lens. And a f5.6 - f8 it's deadly sharp across the frame.
spot on
Shooting with a 50mm is still one of my favorite things to do since it takes me back to my starting days in B&W film with a K1000 and the 50mm starter lens it often came with. I agree though - the 50mm 1.4 is the option I went with as well for the AF add-on.
Video starts at 03:50
I like the overall rendering and color of the 1.2 better. Had both Nikon lenses and settled with the AI lens.
You get that special look when you shoot wide open and from f2 it is at least as sharp as modern lenses but with the benefits mentioned.
it’s easy to get exact focus with manual focus lenses when using mirrorless cameras; just set the camera to B&W so the peaking is easier to see. This comparison would have been enriched if the background would have been further from the subject so as to show the full bokeh effects, not just point source lights.
Hello Patrick, I need help, I’m going crazy rn about which one to get for nikkor 50mm 1.4 whether the AI or AIS version. Does it make a difference? I honestly spent hours now searching on google and youtube and I can’t find a straight answer. Pls reply on this one. Or anyone who can help me. Thank you!
I think the reason youre finding manual focus difficult is because modern dslrs dont give you the functions and viewfinder accuracy that other manual systems give you
but there should be the focus dot which should light on when in focus?
@@GigiDAmico There is but still not as presice as a proper manual focus split focusing screen.
Just because the lens is f1.2 or F1.4 doesn't mean you need to use it wide open. Most of my portrait is above f1.4 even with the f1.2 lens
Hey thanks again for another great video comparison on these 2 pieces of glass. Personally I have done some reviews on Sigma Glass, and yes, they seem to hold up to their name and I have had friends of mine that remind of this brand from time to time. I have often wondered about the manual focus lens. What if your own own eye does not focus that well? Would it not be better to just use the Auto-focus to insure absolute sharpness and focus? Thanks again and great comments to all.
what about the Nikon 50 1.4 D lens? it's a yea olde screw drive with no afs or vr: but cheap, faster focusing, tiny, and just as sharp as the newer g lens. and they still make it!
That lens is on one of my bodies 90% of the time. Newer 50s are sharper, but they're also larger and heavier and I love a light kit.
Using live view you will fall in love with the 50mm 1.2 ais . Nothing can reach that lens
Manual focus has never been a problem, although focus confirmation has been. I found slow lenses say around f/4 often chatter even though I know the image is in focus. I've owned a 55mm f1.2 nikkor since 1977 and use it on my d810 without any problem of course wide open is not as sharp as 5.6 or 8 but it is acceptable given that many shots will never be enlarged beyond book illustration or a newspaper half tone. I also use a f1.8 e-series 50mm, that lens is sharp, with good micro contrast, and tonal range.It is completely manual and focus confirmation is not a problem. Too be sure I also shoot with a few of the current autofucus and zooms, but it is unlikely these motorized lenses will ever achieve legacy status.
My fav tele is the 1980’s Nikkor 400mm f/3.5 manual, this generation of pro glass is just so special, low element count, so much depth. It’s the predecessor to the 400 2.8 and it’s a beast, sharper than any tele zoom and cheaper than any super tele prime (although even used it’s still expensive). If you think manually focussing a 50mm is hard you haven’t experienced anything till you try shooting flying birds with that 400. Hit rate is unbelievably low, but those that are perfect are extraordinary, and I prefer that to be honest, it’s a unique look and when I’m shooting on my own time I like to spend a day with it and only come back home with 5 amazing images, rather than hundreds of near identical pretty good ones.
On the 50 front, I used to have the sigma art 35 & 50 and really didn’t get on with them, don’t own a 50 anymore but the best I’ve used are the Zeiss’s milvus 50 macro and otus 55, manual again though.
i LOVE MY 180 nIKKOR 2.8 AND MY 300 2.8 Tripod all the way. From 1980 great lenses. I dumped all my Canon F-1 stuff back then and switched all to Nikon. Just did that with my Canon DSLr's too. Nikon all the way.
What about this lenses working on a nikon f3 ? Analógic
Nikon 50mm 1.2 for a real Photographer!
i have a 50mm 1.2 Ais om My GH4(with booster) ,D810 and D850 ..i have lot of 35 f1.4 (art) ,85 f1.4 lens but 50 1.2 is a öy fovirite lens and video monster..Next time you can use liveview if you want a better focusing!Greta video Thanks
Can you please do the 85mm comparison... Please Please Please... thank you!
Isn't f/1.2 only a third of a stop brighter than f/1.4, not half a stop?
Personally I am not a big 50mm fan for portraits and still haven't upgraded my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, which I have had for donkeys years. Generally though I will use the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 Nokton which I love to death. That extra 8mm, does make a bit of a difference and I love the feel of the lens, it is sharp in the centre, has some decent bokah. The best thing about it though is I can use it on my Fuji X-E1 (with adapter), where it just becomes a wonderful lens.
Personally if I was going to buy a 50mm, I would probably go for the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Milvus over the sigma. Optically it is exceptional, it is weather sealed and has a aperture ring, with de-click ability. It build is lovely and it isn't as heavy as the 85mm Milvus.
You don't think the manual focus of the Milvus would make it more like the Nikkor 50 1.2 than the 1.4 with AF?
Not at 50mm. The D850's manual range finder makes focusing with the 50mm a bit of a doddle, it can accurately focus the 85mm at f/1.4 so 50mm isn't that hard. With the D800/810 the range finder system isn't as good but I can still generally get accurate focus at 58mm (I can't at 85mm) I also have the Nikon DK-17M 1.2x magnification which can help slightly.
The other thing is I have stepped away from shooting so much hand held now days. When I was shooting hand held would just take photos. Shooting on a tripod slowed me down, it also has allowed me to interact with the subject much more and it doesn't feel like the camera is a blockage, which it can do at times. Also if I am not 100% sure of focus, I can always use the rear screen to focus.
I would always say to have a 50mm AF though before investing in a manual focus though, but I haven't had my 50mm f/1.8 out of its bag for 5 years, s
That 58 f1.4 nokton is so good the resolving and micro contrast is like an APO lens
Back in 2013, I got two nikon 50mm 1.2 lenses for $30 and just one month ago, got another one for $20.
I was just lucky to come across retired photographers. I personally love the 1.2 because I got it for dirty cheap.
However, I dont shoot on 1.2 on even given lens, you are getting thin line of foucs/sharpness. Its a hit or miss.
M AKLife surely the focus range increases the further away the subject you're focusing on is though. So at 1.2 focusing on a scene a few meters away will bring more of the subject in focus.
I picked up an old pre-AI 55mm f/1.2 on the cheap myself recently. I
Where do you get your lenses from? That's amazingly cheap for such an expensive lens.
Willing to sell one of those 1.2 ;)?
Doesn't the D850 have an internal focus motor to "make" the f/1.2 kind of AF?
Nope - AF occurs in both the lens and the body. The nearest thing to what you're talking about is this strange bit of Nikon history www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/teleconverter/tc16a/index.htm
But for example I've got a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D AF, which doesn't autofocus with my D3200, I've been told that a D7100 will do the trick
Ah, but that's because the AF-D series lenses ARE autofocus lenses (the hint's in the AF) but they're an older type of autofocus mechanism than the G series and more recent E series lenses that require a dedicated motor in the camera to power them, a dedicated motor that's not found in the cheaper D3000 and D5000 series cameras, but is in all Nikons from the D7000 series upwards (IE the 7000s, the D500 and all the full frame cameras).
With the G and E series lenses, as I understand it, the motor is in the lens itself and the camera just sends an electronic signal to the lens telling the motor how to move. These lenses are compatible with all Nikon DLSRs, and even many Nikon film cameras going back to the F4 (although with the F4 and other cameras /that/ old you're limited to shutter priority and program modes).
The 50mm f1.2 is a fully manual focus lens. There's no mechanism for camera's to autofocus it.
Got it! Thank you very much Dominic.
Nadir Gasparoni No worries!
Oh what Malfoy has to do now that the dark lord has been defeated. Great video!!!
Im just looking for this, thx.
It would be a great comparison than, with the nikkor 58mm 1.4 too in the mix
Sigma build quality is questionable.
Ad well as their optical quality. Most flat and tone-killing glass on the planet.
0:32 Noct-Nikkor 58mm/1.2
Wait, auto focus is a benefit?
Have you ever tried to focus a 1.2 lens wide open? You will miss 50% of the focus minimum. Put the same AF lens on a mirrorless and your keeper rate will quadruple! -P
It may just be me, but I have an exceptionally hard time nailing focus at f/1.4 or f/1.2 (I've got the older 55mm f/1.2) manually with a DSLR viewfinder. But with live view and a little zoom, I have a much better time with it.
You have a Nikon DSLR? If so just get a magnified eyepiece for it.
@@Whatisright I've considered that, but I'd much rather swap between live view and using the eyepiece than have to swap eyepieces. One less thing to lose in the field. ;)
I own both Nikkor 1.4 and Sigma art. Sigma is better all round but bulkier. In some cases it’s nice to have a small and light lens which does the job almost as good as the sigma.
why nikon do not made new 1.2f lenses ?
They currently do have a 50 f1.2 for their new z series camera but it's not cheap
I knew this guy was gonna 'sell' the 50mm f/1.4 right at the outset when he basically poo-pooed the Manual Focus lens. I think the video demonstrates that one individual's appraisal of anything can't always be trusted to be in the slightest bit reliable, accurate or unbiased!
Where can I buy an Fstoppers hat like Patrick's?
"only 70%" that... sounds like a lot.
would love to see this with a z6 and updated results.
nikon 85 f1/4 vs Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 AF-S E FL ED VR [2016] same 85mm
Very good.
Love it Patrick! I actually just purchased the Wedding Photography tutorial and absolutely loved it! I learn SO MUCH!!!!!!!! I will definitely be buying the Mike Kelley versions as well after I save up some money! Keep up the great work! Love all the BTS episodes as well! -TJ
Saw your tweet on Twitter...thanks so much. I hope our knowledge helps you kickstart your wedding career into high gear!
Fstoppers most definitely thank you again!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Don't you care about colour, seems to me that the 1.2 has much better colour rendition. Ok it's not sharp because of focus depth, so stop it down a bit, open wide is no lens's best setting. Also not everything is portraits, but why would you even use a 50mm for portraits, get a 85, 105 or 135, much better.
I owned both lenses simultaneously and sold the 50mm f/1.2
Another great video keep them coming!
Love f1.2❤️
Pensé que me iba a encontrar con una prueba mas seria.
Probably the best 50ish lens for the Nikon is the Voigtlander 58 f1.4 Nokton
There is a time and place for sharpness, if you need it, the 50 1.2 isn't the tool for you, but with the right creative vision, it's more potent than Gandalf.
how the hell you shot only at the widest side is beyond me. the older lens is unbelievable at f/2....
I've a copy of 50mm f:1.2 Ai-s. I use it with my Nikon D810 and I find it as sharp as my Nikon 14-24mm f:2.8 even equally sharp like my Nikon 105mm f:2.8 Micro lens.
Monirul Islam
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
24 Jun 2024
manual focus over autofocus !
But is anyone paying you more to put more work in?
if manual focusing a shot is work for you , photography is not your passion , #don'tbuyaleica
@@thomasjbrablec shooting manual isn't even putting in more work. Its easy to manual focus.
@@ElReySupr3me Your chances of beating a modern AF system in speed or accuracy are slim at best. There are some situations where AF override is fantastic, since your camera can get confused what you're trying to focus on, but manual is just not the way to go if you shoot anything thay moves even slightly.
I have the 50mm AIS
I love that 50/1.2 Ai-s lens and this is my most favorite 50 prime lens... one thing interesting about this lens: you will get a totally different result by shooting at 1.2 wide open and 2.8 below, dreamy and smooth you will get at 1.2 and sharp as you need at any aperture below 2.8, I even buy a Nikon DF and then changed to film system and develop it myself because of this lens ```
also, while using a lens aperture at 1.2, open both of your eyes to focus, you will find it so easy and even (sometimes) more convenience than an auto lens...
" About half a stop ?????" It's half a stop.
OMG the last gender bender 5:02
Why the hell does this video have so many dislikes?
I meant the ais 50 f1.2. Buy one.
I can't take anyone seriously who says manual focus is a problem.
Have you manually focused a 1.2 lens? -P
Interesting. Nobody uses such a lens at the full aperture. All of those are way below their maximum potential when used fully open. Shoot them both at f4, this is where it gets interesting. And, by the way: one oft he biggest advantages of the f1.2 lens is its brighter viewfinder picture.
HolgerBarske who buys primes and shoots them at f4? Just get a 2.8 and stop down
Patrick Hall right?!
If you want a bright viewfinder, a camera with EVF is the way to go. Really useful for taking photos in the dark and reviewing photos in the sun when the LCD is too dim.
Shang-Hsien Yang That’s not the point. Those lenses have been made for SLRs.
Actually, No Nikon made from the F4 (1989) onwards will show you a brighter viewfinder with anything above an f2.8, maybe an f2 lens. Older camera's viewfinders were optimised for fast lenses - back when your 'kit lens' was a 50mm f1.8 as opposed to a f3.5-5.6 zoom lens like today - they'd show your real dof and defocus all the way out to f1.2 (IE when you press the dof preview button with your lens stopped down to even f1.4 or f2 the viewfinder would get darker and the dof would increase) and they also had amazing 'focus pop' with properly focussed images really snapping into place.
On the downside, if you put a slow lens on them, the viewfinder would very quickly become unusably dark, making focussing with an f4 or f5.6 lens a pain in the ass.
From the F4 onwards viewfinders have been optimized for autofocus systems and slower lenses. An f5.6 lens is usably bright enough with a modern viewfinder and doesn't become all that much brighter as you use faster lenses up to f2.8.
On the downside, modern viewfinders don't get any brighter at all above f2.8, and they don't show your full dof/defocus on lenses faster than f2.8. Stick a f1.4 on your DSLR, stop it down progressively while using the dof preview button - you're not gonna see any viewfinder darkening or any more dof until you've stopped down to f3.2.
Modern viewfinders are absolutely horrible for manually focussing fast lenses on. Try using the 50mm f1.2 with a Nikon F3 or FE - it's an absolutely joyful experience.
on the Canon side this would be a debate between 1.2 and 1.0
the 1.2 is sharp wide-open but there are many lemons out there. I had to bugger Nikon to fix mine to get it to be this sharp.
Not a logical comparison - they meet different needs. And what's with the crumpled up US flag?
It was "weathered" or "relic'd" -P
typical gen Y......
Actually gen xer :) -P
First
Which means... Buy a Sony and...hey why not 0.95?
Joshua Mack That Mitakon lens is simply unique. It's worth buying into the Sony ecosystem just for that lens.
LMAO ecosystem,,,How to you wipe your ass in the morning>>>>?????
the flag in the background ....just s**** ?
For someone reviewing camera gear this video is god-awful! The shadows in your video are so noisy!!!! like under your arms etc! Really really bad! What cam did u use?!!
Next time I would like a female model.
You and the video are bad with focus
The 1.8g is totally crap
Sabbra Cadabra why is that? Almost exchanged my 50 1.4 for one
iloper the focus os terrible...really slow, go back and forth many times till it locks, specially in low light
Sabbra Cadabra I agree. Plastic asph element renders Meh colors
...Inches !? It's centimeters... :-/ we are not in 1990...
Emanuel DeBresser: The US is 😕
Your advice seemed reasonably informative and professional, then you introduced your subject wearing a costume and at that point everything changed to be childish and amateur.
Just trying to take interesting portraits. I think it's the most interesting portrait David has ever had taken...on well, apply the technique however you see fit. -P