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Nikon 58mm NOCT!
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:41 pm    Post subject: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
I know this lens is rare and I hear that it's an EXTREMLEY good lens in low light. My question is: Has anyone had the opportunity to shoot with this LEGEND?

If so, is the lens worth the price?

Click here to see on Ebay


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
spiralcity wrote:
I know this lens is rare and I hear that it's an EXTREMLEY good lens in low light. My question is: Has anyone had the opportunity to shoot with this LEGEND?

If so, is the lens worth the price?

Click here to see on Ebay


I was getting this lens for $1900 locally... and the guy was ready to give me for an hour to do some test shot... /me drooled a lot Twisted Evil
But didnt take a risk... Embarassed

About low light, all f1.2 lenses are same.... What I have heard, its most corrected lens, almost nil coma wide open (?). Bokeh are swirling in nature, pretty much like Helios 85mm f1.5... just less distracting... sharpness is similar to Rokkor.. again, I havent used (just touched and played for few min) ..


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Surely good if you can afford it, if don't doesn't matter how good.

In my opinion 0.2 f stop doesn't matter. We can purchase many superb lenses with 1.4.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What's the difference between the 58mm f1.2 and the 55mm f1.2 nikkors? I have the 55mm variety but it was very cheap..


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Perhaps your luck to get it cheap;)


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Arlon wrote:
What's the difference between the 58mm f1.2 and the 55mm f1.2 nikkors? I have the 55mm variety but it was very cheap..


I think, these are totally different design. Coma (again, dont ask me how that impact the prints Embarassed) is not controlled in 55mm lens, although its very sharp (may be more than 58mm).

Noct is rare, and you pay for quality and craftmanship (hand grounded Rolling Eyes )

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/58.htm

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/speciallenses/55mmnotcnikkor.htm

Second link has details about coma correction... and I think, thats why its "the" best lens for night time and esp for astro work...

"Why ? Because this lens has a Aspherical front lens element which assures optimum correction for coma, particularly at maximum aperture, it makes bright point sources of light near the corner or edges of the image appear as dot rather than comet-shape blurs. Meaning to say, this lens is make to perform its best at maximum apertures, which other lenses find it hard to restore their optical performances. Over the years, the continual refinements has made it possible to focus down as close as 0.5m (1.7 ft) distortion free while contrast remains high."

Another link,
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/nikkor/n16_e.htm


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Differences are in the coma, SA correction and flatness of field... the 55 is actually better for star-photography, but not brilliant... Noct has better sharpness in center, all apertures. "Nicer" bokeh in the Noct, I think... Noct has less coma, i.e - "halos" around highlights will be more round, even at the frame edges - lenses with lots of coma can look strange if a bright point is in focus on the edge of the frame... Coma make the halos around sharp dots look more like... uhh... a wedge of cake? a Butterfly? Arrgh! wait.



Easier to upload a picture. Smile This the old Summilux 35 (Leica) showing a BAD case of coma.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for details and nice pic as example... Now I know why you pay $2000+... if you are in astro pics.. you dont want night flies in the shots Wink...
or screwing up your paid assignment for concert captures...

the_Suede wrote:



Easier to upload a picture. Smile This the old Summilux 35 (Leica) showing a BAD case of coma.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the Nikkor 50/1.2 AI-S and I had for a long time been looking for a Noct 58/1.2 - until last year when I bought a flash from a guy who also had the 58/1.2. Of course I asked him if the Noct 58/1.2 is for sale Smile

To summarize it, he told me that I am likely to be disappointed with the Noct because I already own a 50/1.2 AI-S. Aftermarket value is the same phenomenon as with 28/1.4, 40% of the eBay value is explained by the fact that it was manufactured in small numbers and is not any longer available as new. I remember him telling that performance difference is that the 58/1.2 shows less coma than the 50/1.2 at largest apertures, but sharpness is same at f/1.2

You can form your own opinion by reading this thorough review, some 100% samples comparing these two lenses can be found here:

http://www.momentcorp.com/review/nikon_noct-nikkor_58mm.html

Here's another interesting LPM test:

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Ew8i


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Esox lucius wrote:
I have the Nikkor 50/1.2 AI-S and I had for a long time been looking for a Noct 58/1.2 - until last year when I bought a flash from a guy who also had the 58/1.2. Of course I asked him if the Noct 58/1.2 is for sale Smile


OK.. I am scared to ask that you paid only for flash.. and the guy threw the bad lens with flash... Embarassed

And frankly, this pic looks soooo un-natural/real... throw this lens to other side of pond... Wink

http://www.momentcorp.com/temporary%20files%20for%20website/noct-nikkor/_DSC3963.jpg


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I only bought the flash from him. I would have bought the Noct 58/1.2 as well, but I decided I don't want it. I took test photos of same subject with my 50/1.2 and his 58/1.2 - I did not see reason to pay 2000 more for what looked to me same sharpness.

Maybe his Noct 58/1.2 was a bad sample and my 50/1.2 a very good sample, but looking at the photo you linked and others in that comparison... I don't see reason to pay 2000 more for Noct.

If you are interested in Noct 58/1.2 remember that it shows quite a lot of CA at least on D200, D70 and D2x. When you use Noct 58/1.2 on a D3 there is much less CA than with other bodies, I have seen this same phenomenon happen on D3 with 50/1.2 as well = lens is better on D3 sensor than on other sensors.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
spiralcity wrote:
I know this lens is rare and I hear that it's an EXTREMLEY good lens in low light. My question is: Has anyone had the opportunity to shoot with this LEGEND?

If so, is the lens worth the price?

Click here to see on Ebay


are you a collector, or a user?

If the latter you can save 1000 dollars from the same vendor, simply by not having the (original) cardboard box!

Click here to see on Ebay


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
ChrisLilley wrote:
spiralcity wrote:
I know this lens is rare and I hear that it's an EXTREMLEY good lens in low light. My question is: Has anyone had the opportunity to shoot with this LEGEND?

If so, is the lens worth the price?

Click here to see on Ebay


are you a collector, or a user?

If the latter you can save 1000 dollars from the same vendor, simply by not having the (original) cardboard box!

Click here to see on Ebay


I'm both a collector and a user. I just find the price of the NOCT to be a bit steep if not unreasonable.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
spiralcity wrote:
I'm both a collector and a user. I just find the price of the NOCT to be a bit steep if not unreasonable.


You can easily find below $2K locally (in US)... The guy here bought for less than $1K from KS, and was selling on eBay (Columbus shop)...is no

ebay prices are crazy for these rare lenses, as there recession in Korea and China Embarassed Very Happy

I just sold my Minolta 250mm f5.6 Mirror lens for $500+... Wink to oversees buyer...


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:29 am    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
Ballu wrote:
spiralcity wrote:
I'm both a collector and a user. I just find the price of the NOCT to be a bit steep if not unreasonable.


You can easily find below $2K locally (in US)... The guy here bought for less than $1K from KS, and was selling on eBay (Columbus shop)...is no

ebay prices are crazy for these rare lenses, as there recession in Korea and China Embarassed Very Happy

I just sold my Minolta 250mm f5.6 Mirror lens for $500+... Wink to oversees buyer...


I've been looking for a Noct in my area for a very long time, nothing has come up. If I could find one for under 2K I would be all over it. Very Happy


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:56 am    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
spiralcity wrote:
I've been looking for a Noct in my area for a very long time, nothing has come up. If I could find one for under 2K I would be all over it. Very Happy


You missed by 2 weeks... I was getting for around $1900 in Columbus, OH Sad


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Esox lucius wrote:
I have the Nikkor 50/1.2 AI-S and I had for a long time been looking for a Noct 58/1.2 - until last year when I bought a flash from a guy who also had the 58/1.2. Of course I asked him if the Noct 58/1.2 is for sale Smile

To summarize it, he told me that I am likely to be disappointed with the Noct because I already own a 50/1.2 AI-S. Aftermarket value is the same phenomenon as with 28/1.4, 40% of the eBay value is explained by the fact that it was manufactured in small numbers and is not any longer available as new. I remember him telling that performance difference is that the 58/1.2 shows less coma than the 50/1.2 at largest apertures, but sharpness is same at f/1.2

You can form your own opinion by reading this thorough review, some 100% samples comparing these two lenses can be found here:

http://www.momentcorp.com/review/nikon_noct-nikkor_58mm.html

Here's another interesting LPM test:

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Ew8i


From everything I know about the NOCT I feel this guy telling you would be dissapointed is a NUT!

Perhaps if you spent 5K on the lens and it didnt make you tea, then theres good reason to be upset. Very Happy

If you can grab this lens for under 2K you found yourself a bargain and Im sure you would be very pleased with the results.

Last edited by spiralcity on Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:00 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:59 am    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
Ballu wrote:
spiralcity wrote:
I've been looking for a Noct in my area for a very long time, nothing has come up. If I could find one for under 2K I would be all over it. Very Happy


You missed by 2 weeks... I was getting for around $1900 in Columbus, OH Sad


I always ask about the lens when I hit shops searching for gear. Most sellers tell me they havent seen the lens in years. Crying or Very sad

The only place I do see them is on ebay. Nothing under 3,500.00 USD.


PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Arlon wrote:
What's the difference between the 58mm f1.2 and the 55mm f1.2 nikkors? I have the 55mm variety but it was very cheap..


The NOCT has aspherical lens surface and front element for producing the BEST results f/1.2. The aspherical element was designed to reduce coma or flare from bright pinpoint light sources against a black background.

55mm is not designed with these specs.


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
spiralcity wrote:
From everything I know about the NOCT I feel this guy telling you would be dissapointed is a NUT!


... or then his Noct was a bad sample? I tried his copy and compared results with my 50/1.2. While coma was better controlled detail in shots was not 2000 EUR difference.

Personally, I am waiting a few months before I start again looking for a Noct.

I had a chat with a Nikon country director at the D3x press event and he told me that there were some AF-S lenses that were supposed to have been announced at the same event but they did not make it in time. I was personally told by him that Nikon has no less than eleven (yes, 11) lenses in the pipeline at the moment. That AND the fact that there seems to be an unusually high number of Noct 58/1.2 lenses on eBay right now is enough reason for me to postpone purchase... 2-3 kEUR is a price high enough that I don't want to see a new AF-S prime crash the Noct's aftermarket value Rolling Eyes


PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Nikon 58mm NOCT! Reply with quote
spiralcity wrote:
The only place I do see them is on ebay. Nothing under 3,500.00 USD.


I saw 3 copies in Osaka and Tokyo stores in July 2008, one was new in box. The owner of one store told me that they're listed on eBay because that gives them better price (non-Japanese buyers pay more for the lens).
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