Neo-Noct, the 58mm f1.4G Nikkor

[fcotterill]

With the Mirrorless optics getting so much attention, it's easy to lose sight of the persisting qualities of certain DSLR lenses. Almost all of them can be adapted to Z mount and in the case of F-mount to many other MILC cameras, and this is the shared advantage of the many primes and Zooms of shorter focal lengths, especially where high speed AF is less of a priority.

The Neo-Noct is one such gem. It's still expensive and hard to find Used. Its nickname reflects this 58 f1.4G is the belated update of the legendary 58 f1.2AIS. The newest and largest version is the 58mm f0.95S, better called the MegaNoct.

Some can argue the new Z-mount S Line primes (notably 50 f1.2S) supersede the 58 f1.4G, but older lens still has unique character in how it renders, and this rendering is distinctly different at 3 respective categories of apertures, specifically f1.4-f1.8, f2.8, and shut down to f8. And last but no means least, focusing these fast primes can be fickle on a DSLR, but a Mirrorless camera overcomes these problems.

In short, it is a wonderful optic. After a long search, I found one Used in 2018. This journey to enlightenment is a long story of too long a learning curve, only after reading and moving beyond the dominating forum threads, and superficial "reviews" that condemned the 58 f1.4G as too mediocre and not sharp etc etc. In short all the whinging by pixel peepers...Longer Story...in short this took me too long to appreciate why the more artistically competent and credible owners write such complementary reports about the Neo-Noct....

some links I archived from this process of discovery...

Nikon 58mm f/1.4G Review

photographylife.com

Nikon Noct-NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 Review

photographylife.com

1001 Nights Essay 13 - https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0016/index.htm

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1253369/61#14820202

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/interview/621449.html

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4058218

2 'personal' reviews that stood out...

also this https://davidyarrow.photography/news-media/mankind-south-sudan-video/

https://www.jaycassario.com/blog/2017/1/3/my-top-3-lenses

"The Nikon 58G is probably one of the most unique lenses I’ve shot with, hands down. It even took me a little while to get used to and to be honest, I didn’t even like it at first. This is a lens that you’ll learn is either loved or hated by photographers. There’s really no middle ground, especially, since it’s one of the pricier lenses in the Nikon line-up.

The focal length is one that initially threw a lot of photographers off when it was first released. It’s just slightly longer than a true 50mm lens, and the DOF is more shallow than you would expect because of it. It’s only sharp towards the center of the frame, extremely sharp actually, but softens as you move towards the edges, and pretty quickly. Because of this, the rendering is pretty unique and the bokeh is simply as smooth as it comes. Canon shooters love to hold the popular 85mm f/1.2L up as the benchmark for bokeh, and without a doubt, it’s one of the best there is. The 58G gives it a run for its money...."

Great Essay - https://50lux.com/2018/05/30/the-af-s-nikkor-58mm-f-1-4g-review-a-look-inside-my-photographic-heart/

 

[fcotterill]

The following is more of academic interest for the optical nerds (!)

Shared on dpr - this is a technical analysis by an Italian guru on the Noct 58mm 0.95, which Nikon released to showcase the potential of the Z Mount. Of special interest is how the engineers designed and specified no less than 3 new types of optical glass with the requisite optical properties to correct dispersion etc.

It will be interesting if a similar technical analysis is published on the optics of the new 135mm f1.8S Plena, as this is the only other Z Nikkor to bestowed with a unique name.

In short, never underestimate Nikon engineering

A couple of screen grabs illustrating the extreme technical complexity of the design of this lens

https://www.nocsensei.com/camera/te...095-s-noct-e-i-segreti-del-suo-schema-ottico/

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[StevieJSmall]

Sorry, Z Mount only or bust for me! I’m sure the lens is wonderful but 58mm f/0.95 Noct goodness is where it’s at for me

 

[MatthewK]

As a former shooter (and lover) of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L lens, I can whole-heartedly relate to the sentiments surrounding this lens. When you know, you know

At the present, I only shoot Nikon for birds, and have never shot, owned or even mounted a Nikkor lens under 100mm. All of my standard glass is Fujifilm, with my favorite being the 35 f/1.4, which coincidentally also has a similar divided following (there's magic in that glass... no there's not!... yes there is, shut up!... no, you shut up!). However, I've looked into what a kit would look like were I to adopt a total Nikon setup, and this 58 1.4G is the first lens I'd buy.