Yesterday I went into the camera store and the 55/1.2 was gone....but there was a 50/1.2 in its place. They were asking $500USD, which I did not think was a bad price....but not exactly what I was wanting to spend right now.
I did take a minute to test drive the Nikon 180/2.8 AIS (Not sure if it was the ED...forgot to check)....but man is that one sharp lens! I can see me getting that one in the future as well. looked to be in like new condition.
I did however, walk out of there with three lenses for not a whole lot of money.
What came home:
Nikon 55/3.5 Micro-NIKKOR - I cannot believe the sharpness from this lens. So very awesome and the close focusing is a bonus. The zoom ring is very smooth and the aperture ring is solid as well. $75USD
Nikon 60mm f/2.8D - inexpensive and I was not sure which one to pick, this or the 55/3.5....so I got both. I kind of like the shorter focus throw of the 60 in some ways...but that 55 is great and small. I'll do some testing and see which one to keep...or I'll juts keep both.
Zhongyi Creator 85mm f/2 - this was one of those "what is that"...got intrigued and for under $100 I decided to take a chance on it. All metal build, smooth aperture ring. The focus ring turns the wrong way(no big deal for me). Initial impressions show a decent quality on the bokeh, a little dreamy at f/2 but comes together by f/2.8-4. The focus throw is enormous though.
I'll probably review all these at some point and share my thoughts.
I was able to get out nad do some street photography yesterday. It was a warm spring day here in OH, so I took my adapted PEN-F and the 55/3.5 Micro and Zhongyi out for a test drive. Actually yesterday was a "vintage" lens day all around as I also took the Df and the Nikon 28-105/3.5-4.5D and 80-200/4.5-5.6D out in the morning for some street shooting as well.
While "modern" lenses have faster focusing and give some benefits....I like something about the rendering D and older lenses.