Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm (
More info?)
"Bruce Murphy" wrote:
> I'm playing with an AI'd 55m f/1.2 on a D70 at the moment
> trying to work out whether to add it to my collection of an
> AIS 50mm f/1.4 and an AF 50mm f/1.4 (first version). At
> this point, I'd consider it potentially useful as a portrait-
> lens if it had a nice OOF rendition and softness that didn't
> get in the way too much.
>
> I've got the lens on loan at the moment and I'm trying to
> come up with some ways of pushing it to various limits to
> see what it can do, obviously a lens like that is going to
> have flare issues, but is there anything a little more subtle
> I could try?
Hi Bruce,
I've owned a 55mm f/1.2 pre-AI Nikkor lens since purchasing it new with my
first Nikon F2 in the early 70s. It was chosen because at that time I was
working night shifts at Disneyland while attending college and I wanted to
record the dim, behind-the-scenes times I spent with my friends. (I also
own a 50mm f/1.8 AIS that is for general use where quality is more important
than speed.)
If you're interested, the following two SI submissions by me (one B&W and
one color) were both made using this original 55mm lens wide-open at f/1.2.
They are examples of "pushing it to various limits" and may be of some use
to you in your decision:
(Friday Night)
http
/www.pbase.com/shootin/image/30868043
One interesting thing to notice in the Friday Night photo is the blob of
light on the extreme left edge of the picture, sitting just above the white
fence. This was actually a point-source exposed halogen bulb illuminating
the drive-thru ticket booth. Even though there is a 12% crop from the true
left edge of the frame (meaning the bulb was not imaged at the extreme frame
edge) this light source exhibits severe coma. You can also see the general
overall softness of the subject elements as they were recorded during the
wide-open, one-second, tripod-mounted (w/MLU engaged) exposure.
(Heat)
http/www.pbase.com/shootin/image/33170474
The Heat photo was a hand held 1/30 sec wide-open exposure (elbows braced on
knees while sitting). The interesting thing here is the extremely shallow
depth-of-field produced by this lens at such a close working distance. This
is quite apparent along the length of the foreground log and is always a big
challenge in dim light.
One final thought is that in my experience this lens (all lenses, but
especially so with this one) must be used with its respective lens hoods
attached. As you can see, the front element is huge and *very* exposed to
stray light. I have the very deep HS-3 metal screw-on shade and never fail
to attach it. You would do well to obtain the same, or a similar, hood, if
you can.
Hope this helps,
Ken
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