Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S

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Nikon's fastest standard manual prime: seven elements in six groups, a 9-blade diaphragm and a minimum aperture of f/16. Wide open it is hazy and low in contrast with heavy spherical glow, then tightens quickly and is very sharp by f/2 to f/4. Close focus is 0.5m and focus throw about 110 degrees, turning in the Nikon direction.

Key specs

Focal length

50 mm

Max aperture

f/1.2

Mount

Nikon F

Image circle

Full frame

Close focus

0.5 m

Filter thread

52 mm

Weight

360 g

Field of view by sensor

Full frame

39.6° horizontal · frames like 50 mm on full frame

Super 35

28° horizontal · frames like 72.3 mm on full frame

Micro Four Thirds

19.6° horizontal · frames like 104 mm on full frame

What it goes on

F-mount's 46.5mm flange takes a thin glassless adapter to Canon EF and adapts to every mirrorless mount; the aperture ring is fully mechanical and easy to de-click. A cine-set favourite for the f/1.2 look; it stayed in Nikon's catalogue until 2020, so clean late copies exist. Leitax EF mounts and Duclos/Simmod cine-mods are all available.

• Nikon F camerasNativeURSA Mini Pro 12K, URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2
• Canon EF camerasWith adapterALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 +14 more

  Novoflex EOS/NIK · Fotodiox Pro NIK-EOS. 2.5 mm of room is enough for a plain ring. G-type lenses without an aperture ring need an adapter with its own iris lever.

• Sony E camerasWith adapterRonin 4D-6K, Ronin 4D-8K, Alpha 1 II, Alpha 7 IV +13 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 28.5 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• Canon RF camerasWith adapterEOS C400, EOS C50, EOS C70, EOS C80 +10 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 26.5 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• L-Mount camerasWith adapterCinema Camera 6K, PYXIS 12K, PYXIS 6K, Ronin 4D-6K +6 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 26.5 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• Micro Four Thirds camerasWith adapterMicro Studio Camera 4K G2, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Lumix BGH1, Lumix GH6 +1 more

  Novoflex · K&F Concept · Fotodiox. 27.3 mm of room — a plain mechanical adapter. Manual focus and iris.

• Nikon Z camerasElectronic adapterKOMODO-X 6K S35, V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV, V-RAPTOR XE

  Nikon FTZ / FTZ II. Nikon's own adapter. AF only with AF-S / AF-P lenses; manual AI-S lenses mount and meter.

• Leica M camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, Ronin 4D-6K +1 more

  18.7 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.

• LPL camerasWith adapter· by flange mathsALEXA 265, ALEXA 35, ALEXA Mini LF, URSA Cine 17K 65

  2.5 mm of room for a plain ring. Check rear-element and mirror clearance before buying.

See every camera this lens fits →

Sources: photosynthesis.co.nz, photosynthesis.co.nz, spencerchumbley.tv, ducloslenses.com