f1.2 lenses

Mir · Expire: 2017-09-30

Just for the fun of it....

Share your experiences with fast f1.2 MF lenses.

50mm, 55mm, 58mm, Canons, Rokkors, Nikkors, Olympus, for Rangefinders or any other fast f1.2
lenses you've owned, sold, loved or hated....

I personnaly had a AUTO YASHINON TOMIOKA 55mm f1.2 �55mm - MDF 50cm - 8 blades - 1968
that member kds315* kindly sold to me. I had it serviced by a pro tech.
And although, at first glance a fine lens, i never could get anything worthy out of it and did not really enjoy working with it.....

Ended up selling it...

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

My first 1.2 lenses were EF 85/1.2LII and then 50/1.2L
Great IQ, MF on the focus by wire 85 was garbage.
Next came the Rokkor MC PG 58/1.2, it hooked me back into MF in a big way, I love the tactile feel of it, it's still my favorite lens of them all.
OM 55/1.2 has loads of character, sadly I don't shoot it any where near enough, I seem to always have something I want to shoot more.
FL 55/1.2 another one I don't shoot enough, that darn Rokkor keeps drawing my attention, the FL is quite sharp. (I still want the older FL 58/1.2)
Nikkor S.C 55/1.2 it's sharp but has glow wide open, I only keep it for portraits.
FD SSC 55/1.2 Aspherical, I still need more time with it to get a handle on what it's doing, so far it's sharp and has nice bokeh.
FD SSC 85/1.2 Aspherical, still need more time with it.... But I can say Bokeh!
I just bought a Canon LTM 50/1.2.... Opinion: Soon to be determined.

kenetik · Joined: 02 Mar 2014 Posts: 524

I also have the Rokkor 58/1.2 and it's the only 1.2 lens I own. It's a great lens, gulps light. Beyond the fact that it is a high quality optic and very cool to own, I don't really feel like I need another 1.2, they're quite expensive and I don't really have enough of an application for them. Though I collect Hexanons (as much as I collect anything else) I'm amazed how much people will pay for a 57 1.2 with glass the color of tea from rare earth decay.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I have only ~50mm lenses, Konica, Minolta, SMC Pentax-A , I had Nikkor , Tomioka , Revuenon
I kept Konica due I collect Konica items, Pentax due sharpest from all wide open, Minolta may go with Pentax.
Nikkor had beautiful bokeh , probably best from all, Tomioka was very sharp wide open too. Revuenon nothing special.
oh Canon FL 1.2 I wasn't impressed at all, Canon RF 1.2 was impressive.

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Oldhand · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:21 am Post subject:

My only example is the Revuenon 1.2/55 which is, I think, made by Cosina.
I am happy with it at all apertures.
I can't ever see a need for another f1.2 lens in this focal length.
OH

hoanpham · Expire: 2015-01-18

Canon Ltm 50/1.2: favourite with a7r. Less CA.
OM 55/1.2: most contrast/pop, esp slightly step down.
Canon FDn 55/1.2 asph: sharp, less CA.
Pentax K/A 50/1.2: sharp.
Nikon pre ai 55/1.2: sharp, less CA, neutral color.
Canon FDn 85/1.2: bokeh.

I keep them all Smile

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

You'd think they would be somewhat similar, but they are all different animals.
Nice shot OH, it does tempt me Wink

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Gardener · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 950 Location: USA

I owned a Rokkor 58/1.2, later version. I disliked it greatly and sold almost right away. Then came Nikkor 55/1.2, now that was a great lens, but after a while I parted with it as well - I shoot FF so I am not really that pressed for DOF, and I needed money to finance 35/2 IS. I have no plans to buy another 1.2 unless it just falls into my hands.

shaolin95 · Joined: 24 Apr 2014 Posts: 75

I just got bewitched by the Canon FD 85mm 1.2L and I am saving to buy one (and the 50mm 1.2L too) so if anyone has one and not using it, PM me to see if we can work out a deal Very Happy

Nordentro · Expire: 2015-01-29

I have the PEN-F 42mm f/1.2 and I honestly like the 40mm f/1.4 and the 38mm f/1.8 better (which I also have) Wink

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

ZoneV · Expire: 2011-12-02

I love my Minolta Rokkor 58mm/1.2 - I like the glow wideopen. Most times I use it with a tinkered tulip hood to get a bit more vignetting.
My Canon FD 85mm/1.2L is good - but probably it is too perfect - boring. I own a Hexanon 57mm/1.2, but have not used it - because of mount incompatibility - got it cheap, could not resist Smile

One of my tinkered ~f/1.2 lenses I love from its image character - but it is over 5kg heavy, so not ideal to take it everywhere.
I have some f/1.2 projection lenses, but at the moment not a camera that works well with those.
Probably I should sell some lenses and buy a Sony Alpha 7.

Arctures · Joined: 10 Jul 2009 Posts: 295

I own Rokkor 58/1.2 and love it on all apertures. Currently this is the only 1.2 lens I own. I am really interested in Canon LTM 50 1.2 and FD 85 1.2 and they both are in my wish list. However Contax Distagon 35/1.4 stands higher in this list Smile

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

Here are some shots from sebboh @FM with the 42/1.2, some on the A7 too.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28476552@N04/tags/olympuspenfzuiko42mmf12/

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

thank you very much for this link, Lighshow!
these are fantastic! The lens actually, unlike the 1.4/40, really 'mostly' doesn't looks sharp wide open, but interestingly there are a few where it does. Now again tempting to get the lens, but viewing these photos show me that I better shouldn't get yet another lens but tried to become a better photographer. Sebboh does an amazing job, great vision and using the uniqueness of the lens to big effect! He shows me that sharpness is not needed, he is not afraid of but uses flare, low contrast, even the strong vignetting on A7 for his vision, I also like the presentation with the black borders.

radissimo77 · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 111 Location: Glasgow

All on A7:

1) Rokkor 58/1.2, I have 3 versions, last one very sharp, my favourite ,sharpnes/bookeh ratio is great, shame about long MFD, ( cannot be used on helicoid)

2) Minolta MD 50/1.2- great little lens, but same cons as above, worse bokeh (especially @2.8 -6 blades really visible), SOLD

2)Pentax 50/1.2- technically superior then above (my copy at least), handling bit worse and less pleasant than Minoltas(s)

3)Canon FD Aspherical 55/1.2- Sharp!, big! colder rendition then Minoltas, bokeh slightly worse (due FL? 58 vs 55mm?), FD cannot be used on helicoid

4) Nikon 55/1.2- nice and big lens with huge hood,pleasure to use,low CA, good bokeh, OK

5)Konica 57/1.2- construction: big, smooth, metal,handling is fantastic, even better bokeh then above , quite warm rendition ( I mean too warm)

6)Canon 50/1.2 LTM- looks great, good handling, funky bokeh (not my cup of tea), technically weak, WILL SELL PERHAPS SOON

7) Canon nFD 50/1.2 L- joy to use, modern rendering, technically opposite of above (few decades between lenses shows), keeper

8.) PORST Color reflex UMC 50/1.2- modern rendering, nice hendling, great coating, sharpness and bokeh only so-so

9) Revenon MC 55/1.2- similar then above (modern rendering, nice hendling, great coating,), sharp! ,almost too contrasty for me, but real surprise

10) Auto Yashinon Tomioka 55/1.2- great build and handling, unique bokeh at times, not as sharp as expected (surpassed by Rookor 58/1.2, Canon Asph and L and even Revuenon

Yashinon 55/1.2 DS-M needs repair, also auto chinon 55/1.2

Mir · Expire: 2017-09-30

Thank you all for your input !

But I'm sill mixed up by all the choices...

Canon FD, FL, 50mm, 55mm, 58mm, SSC, Aspherical....
Nikkor 50, 52mm, S...
Can Konica AR 57mm be cured of its yellow tint ??

I guess the popular 1st choice is : Minolta's latest version 58mm...

Don't hesitate to keep posting your opinions, your tests results and experiences.

blotafton · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 1554 Location: Sweden

My only 1.2 is a later version Rokkor 58mm. It can be rewarding to use it!

The only downside is that the bokeh at the top and bottom gets cut off by the internals of the camera.

wolfhansen · Joined: 06 Oct 2013 Posts: 511 Location: Germany, Ruhr Area

My Canon LTM 1.2/50mm - love it on Nex-6 and A7, only the infinity lock sucks...

Building of Dortmunds Christmas Tree

Layer-cake · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 560 Location: Cape Town

I have to agree the 58mm Minolta is fantastic, had one for a short time before selling.....handles better than I am capable of shooting in all honesty. less glowy even at full aperture compared to the 1.4 lenses I have used.

I was looking for a Minolta pg 50mm 1.4 for quite a while as a lot of reviews stated it had a similar bokeh compared to the 58mm 1.2 and I have to agree from my experience. very nice buttery oof and it doesn't feel as cumbersome on on MFT body as the 1.2 so I'm quite happy:) it even took the place in my carry around bag of my Konica 50 1.4, which is saying a lot cause I really like my Konica!!

kuuan · Expire: 2014-12-26

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I have several 1.2 lenses, still don't know why Smile

shoot at f1.2 often end with disaster.