NOCT is back

Nikon Rumors reports that Nikon has filed a patent for a 58mm f1.2 lens, with an optic elements diagram that is very similar to the famous Nikon NOCT 58mm f1.2 lens.  The NOCT that was released in 1977 and remained in extremely limited production until 1997, with less than 11,500 ever made. By way of comparison, Nikon has produced over 7 million 18-55mm VR lenses!!  It was designed to perform at its best at maximum aperture and to prevent chromatic spherical abberation, commonly showing up as low contrast with 'bat's wings' around points of light. 

I am sure Nikon sees this as a great opportunity to compete against Canon's 50mm f1.2 L series lens, and gain some profit from a higher end lens.  Without a doubt, Nikon will price such a lens in the $1,800 - $2,000 price range, similar to the 35mm f1.4 and the 24mm f1.4.

Edward Gardens - Nikon D90 w/ Nikon 60mm f2.8D Micro

Sigma 35mm f1.4

One lens I am very intrigued with at the moment in the Sigma 35mm f1.4.  Although announced, shipping hasn't started and I can't find any reviews on the web.  If it's good, ie up to Nikon's excellent but expensive equivalent, I'm pretty keen to get one.  It is reasonably priced at around $900 - half that of the Nikon.  I love the 35mm focal length (one of the reasons I love the Fuji X100) and f1.4 is just a dream to shoot with.  I have the older Nikon 35mm f1.4 Ais manual focus, and while it is a nice lens, the quality at f1.4 bothers me, especially the weird bokeh.  It is still capable of producing good image, but I am hoping this Sigma will be a big step up.

Eaton Centre - Nikon D600 and Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF-D

Full Frame lens kit

Over the last 3-4 years I’ve spent a lot of time acquiring the right lenses for a full frame DSLR.  Here’s my pick of the must-have lenses.

WIDE PRIME – This is where a full frame camera really comes into its own

1.       Sigma 12-24mm f4-5.6.  The world’s widest angle rectilinear lens for DSLR's is a must-have for full frame.  Very dramatic scenes with excellent optical performance.  Can be had relatively cheaply – about $550 used.

2.       Nikon 14-24mm f2.8.    I don’t own it, but known as the world’s best wide angle for DSLRs.  Big, heavy, expensive, flares a lot; but the best.  About $1,500 used

WIDE ZOOM - Like wide primes, they're fabulous on full frame

1.       Sigma 20mm f1.8.  Not the sharpest out there, but the wide aperture and close focus make for dramatic images. About $400.


2.       Nikon 24mm f1.4 AF-S – I haven’t used this lens, but I could see it being great for full frame. About $1,700 used.  I use the Nikon 24mm f2 Ai-s manual focus which I like.


3.       Nikon 35mm f1.4 AF-S – I haven’t used this lens, but would also be great for full frame.   About $1,700 used.   I use the Nikon 35mm f1.4 Ai-s manual focus, which is only OK. About $450 used

STANDARD ZOOM

1.       Fast – The only lens is the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8.  Expensive, but the best. About $1500 used


2.       Allround – Tamron 24-135mm f3.5-5.6.  Excellent all round zoom, but no VR or AF-S.  A bargain in today’s market. About $200 used

STANDARD PRIME

Nikkor 50mm f1.2 Manual Focus – The fastest 50mm Nikon has ever made.  Fabulous with full frame, but lots of light fall off at f1.2.  About $450 used.

TELEPHOTO 

Any of the 70/80-200mmf2.8 lenses work great.  I think the Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-D twin ring in particular is great value, with outstanding performance.  About $800 used.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 35mm f2 AF-D

Bokeh-licious

The Nikon 35mm f1.4 Ai-S is an interesting lens.  It’s a very fast wide angle lens that focuses to just 30cm away.  Sounds all good, but the older design results in lower than expected contrast at f1.4 and quite an unusual - if not a little disturbing - out of focus blur, or bokeh.

In the last year three different 35mm f1.4 lenses for Nikon have been released on the market.  There’s the very expensive Nikon 35mm f1.4 AF-S, the also very expensive manual focus Carl Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Biogon T*; and interestingly the Korean made Samyang 35mm f1.4 manual focus.  PhotoZone gave the Samyang an excellent review, and at around $500 it’s one quarter the price of the AF-S Nikon and Zeiss, and only slightly more than the ageing Nikon 35mm f2 AF-D.  Better start saving – a comparison is in order.