Nikon Noct NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 Ai-S

Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2

Lens Summary

Brand: Nikon

Also Known As: Noct NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 Ai-S

Lens Type: Prime Lens

Format: Full Frame / FX

Focus: Manual Focus

Lens Mount: Nikon F

Release Date: 1977-01-01

MSRP Price: $4000

Made in: Japan

Production Status: Discontinued

Lens Description: A legendary 6-group, 7-element lens created for low-light / nocturnal use. The original version came out in 1977 and Nikon updated it with an Ai-S version in 1982

Photography Life Review Summary: Without a doubt, the Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 is a very special and truly legendary lens. Almost forty years have passed since Nikon first invented the Noct and to date we have not seen a true equivalent – the latest generation 58mm f/1.4G cannot be considered as a replacement, because it lacks the sharpness the Noct is able to produce, particularly at the maximum aperture. Read the full Nikon Noct NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 Ai-S Review by Photography Life.


Nikon Noct NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 Ai-S Specifications

Lens Specifications
Lens TypePrime Lens
Focal Length58mm
Mount TypeNikon F
FormatFull Frame / FX
Compatible Format(s)35mm, FX and DX
Compatible with TeleconvertersNo
Maximum Reproduction Ratio1:6.7
Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization)No
Aperture Information
Aperture RingYes
Maximim Aperturef/1.2
Minimum Aperturef/16
Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format)40.8°
Optical Information
Lens Elements7
Lens Groups6
Diaphragm Blades9
Aspherical Elements1
Focus Information
FocusManual Focus
Built-in Focus MotorNo
Minimum Focus Distance0.5m
Filter Information
Filter Size52mm
Accepts Filter TypeScrew-on
Physical Characteristics
Weather / Dust SealingNo
Mount MaterialMetal
Dimensions63x74mm
Weight465g
Other Information
Available in ColorsBlack

Lens Diagram

Nikon Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Diagram

Sample Images

Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Sample Image (10) Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Sample Image (4) Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Sample Image (2)

Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Sample Image (12) Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Sample Image (7) Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Sample Image (11)

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Airy Magnien

The only real downside of this lens is the price.

Otherwise, I find it surprizingly versatile, even for daylight shots. It will reward you with:
– an ideal focal length (58mm instead of 50 makes it much more suitable for portraits, and still usable for general purposes);
– high contrast where the focus lies, yielding “punchy” images, in combination with the bokeh (see below);
– better bokeh (compared to other Nikkor 50 lenses);
– tolerable aberrations, distortion, flare, field curvature, etc., so publishing “straight out of the camera” remains an option in most cases;
– relatively small size and weight! a quality that is often underestimated, especially for street shots.

For night shots, you might be better served by the Tamron 45/1.8 for instance.

Ezio

Good morning
Can I manually use this lens on Nikon z7 Camera?
Thanks for your answer
Ezio Racchi

Airy Magnien

Yes. I did, with an FTZ adapter. The Z7 provides very helpful focussing aids (by the way, when a shot made with the Noct does not look sharp, blame the focus rather than the lens). But I stick with my Df + Noct combo that admittedly requires some training.

Shawn Young

This is a very specialized lens. For general photography, a Nifty-Fifty (at 3%-10% the price of this one used) will serve you much better and will have AF besides. What can this lens do that a typical Nifty-Fifty can’t?
1) Render points of light at night as points of light, not as blobs
2) Go the extra mile in very low light. (The manual f/1.2 will too, at one fifth the price.)
3) Go the extra mile for an exceptionally shallow DOF. (Again, the f/1.2 does this, but is less sharp.)

I owned a copy in the 90s, and own a copy now. Obviously I love the thing for cityscapes after dark and stars. I always shoot it wide open–if I’m stopping down, my 50 f/1.4D is much, much more convenient (lighter, AF).

If at all possible, try before you buy.

Optics: 5/5
Construction: 5/5
Usefulness for ultra-shallow DOF: 5/5
Usefulness at night: 5/5
Usefulness for general photography: 2/5 (fine, but Nifty Fifty is lighter and has AF)
Value for money:
If you need points of light in the darkness as points: 5/5
If you need super-shallow DOF: 3/5 (if the 50 1.2 is sufficient for your needs, get that instead)
General Photography: 0/5

Also Compare to: 58mm f/1.4 G, less than half the price, does have AF (and hence half a stop slower). I have not had a chance to test this new offering so I can’t comment.

Perhaps Compare to: similarly priced Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4–not released at the time of this note.