Lens Comparison: Nikon Nikkor 55mm f1.2 Non-AI Versus 50mm f1.2 AIS

Not long ago, I purchased a near-mint Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS lens from my friend. This super-speed manual focus lens is still made by Nikon, and is simply beautiful. I've posted a few shots from it. (Click Here) to see some photos I made with it in the darkness, during a fire.

 

Well, for no reason other than curiosity, I just bought a much older (1970s vintage) Nikkor 55mm f1.2 Pre-AI lens. With the older lens at about half the cost of the AIS lens, I was very interested to see how the two compare. So, I mounted the 55mm lens on my Nikon Df, set the iso to 160, and began to shoot from a tripod. I shot at f1.2, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, and 8. You can click on any of the following images to see them full size on flickr.

 

Here's what the whole scene looked like (top row: 55mm f1.2 Non-AI, bottom row: 50mm f1.2 AIS):

(Click Here) to go to the full flickr set, where you can get a much better idea of how these lenses compare. Be sure to look at how the vignetting decreases on both lenses as I stop down, look at the focus points (the flowers), out of focus areas (like the lemon painting on the wall at right), and how out of focus highlights are rendered. Here are a couple of selected comparisions, at f1.2 and f4:

f1.2, 55mm Non-AI on Top, 50mm AIS on Bottom

f4, 55mm Non-AI on Top, 50mm AIS on Bottom

 

I need to look at these more closely, but immediately conclude that the sharpness doesn't differ much at all. I also see that the 55mm lens seems to let less light in at the same f-stop as the 50mm lens. This could be do to the more modern coatings on the 50mm AIS lens.

 

If you're interested in these super-fast Nikkor lenses and their history, (Click Here) to read more on Nikon's website. Great information!

 

I plan to enjoy both of these lenses. The non-AI lens will be fun to put on a matching-age Nikon F2 and shoot some film with.

 

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Entertaining Coverage of Leica Noctilux f0.95 Lens

Video Source: http://youtu.be/tFJ96onYmu0

 

Well, I don't own a Leica Noctilux 50mm f0.95 lens. So, I can only share someone else's experience with you.

 

If you haven't seen Kai's videos on DigitalRev before, they're quite entertaining. Many times, they're as much about humor as about photography. He sometimes goes overboard, like when he destroys a DSLR by catching it in elevator doors, etc. But, in the case of this video, Kai treats the Leica Noctilux with the respect that it deserves. It's a great review of the lens.

 

I'll just have to do with my Summilux 50mm f1.4 for now. It's actually hard to imagine a lens with well over an additional stop of light gathering capability over the Summilux. It's also hard to image being able to focus it well enough, with the super-thin depth of field that that wide aperture produces.

 

If clicking the image above doesn't take you to the movie, (Click Here).

 

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Comparison of Leica DLux-6 to Classic Leicas From An Unlikely Source

 

Image Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jackforster/2013/02/07/the-electric-barnack-acid-test-shooting-on-the-street-with-the-leica-d-lux-6/

 

Jack Forster has written an article in Forbes magazine about the Leica Dlux-6 compact camera. I've never seen an article like this in Forbes, but maybe I just don't know the journal that well.

 

In any case, Mr. Forster makes some astute comparisons between the Dlux and classic Leica cameras. Basically, he stresses the fact that Oscar Barnack stressed the importance of compact cameras in a day of large format film.

 

He points out that the Dlux-6 is essentially the same camera as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, a camera that I happen to own and love. Sometimes it embarrasses me with its capabilities, compared to the other, much more expensive cameras I typically favor. Forster points out the differences between the Lumix and Leica, but they seem very minor to me.

 

Features he likes are the real f-stop aperture ring, and of course, the fast f1.4 lens. He also makes the point that his wife, who generally dislikes digital cameras, really got attached to the Dlux. That's a good sign that Leica and Panasonic are doing something right in their design.

 

(Click Here) to read the full story on Forbes' website. Sorry for the click-through ad - it's them, not me. But, the story is worth reading.

 

I sure like my DMC-LX7. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to explore manual settings, great optics, and raw image capability in a compact, reasonably priced camera.

 

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Review and Sample Photos from Lumix DMC-LX7 on Entropic Remnants

 

Image Source: http://blog.entropicremnants.com/2013/03/08/virtue-in-downsizing-a-panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx7-compact-camera-review.aspx

 

John Griggs has posted an impressive review of the little Lumix DMC-LX7 on his blog, Entropic Remnants.

 

(Click Here) to read John's full review and see lots of great low-light image samples.

 

I very much like the style of John's review. He's to the point, honest, as well as being an obviously-talented photographer. He didn't take the easy route in this review. He took the small-sensored LX7 deep inside a dark factory environment, and came out with some awesome pictures.

 

John always shoots raw files, and is not shy about admitting that he post-processes in Lightroom to the extent needed. In addition to hitting some of the main features of the LX7 - the fast 1.4 Pana-Leica lens, built-in ND filter, and aperture ring (like a real camera!), John points out any deficiencies when he sees them. The only one that jumped out at me is that the lens can be flare-prone.

 

John finds iso 400 to be the "quality limit" of iso on the LX7, and is quite happy with 16x20 prints shot at iso 400. He mentions that 800 is usable. He also demonstrates high dynamic range (HDR) images and a macro shot from the LX7.

 

I have recently purchased the LX7 myself, and am in the process of becoming familiar with it. Part of that process is working through all of the settings that I find important for real world use. I'm documenting that, and will make it available in ebook form in the coming weeks.

 

My ebook is now available in Kindle format at Amazon:

 

(Click Here) to buy the LX7 Real World Setting Guide for $2.99, or borrow it for FREE if you're an Amazon Prime member. I would really appreciate a positive review of the book on Amazon, if you can spare the time.

 

I am also about to spend some quality time with the LX7 on my upcoming trip to Japan. I've decided to carry my M9 and Whole Lotta Leica lens (the Summilux 35mm f1.4), my Skeletons From The Closet camera (Zeiss Ikonta medium format folder), and the LX7. The LX7 will be responsible for most of my daily shooting, all closeups, etc. So, I hope to have something to show.

 

Having a fast f1.4 lens really extends the range of the LX7. Here's a shot from the interior of an airplane that I recently shot:

James Bond in Sepia, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, Sepia-toned jpg

iso 200, f1.4, 1/60 sec

 

I'm very pleased to be able to shoot at iso200 in a dark airplane interior.

 

I'm really looking forward to pushing the LX7 to some limits on my upcoming trip.

 

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