Interesting test of the Noct-Nikkor 58/1.2 Ai-S

[stenrasmussen]

With actual measurements too. Apart from its CA department not bad at all.
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-noct-nikkor-58mm-f1-2#more-116770

[Fons Baerken]

The stats show the noct beats the 58g by an ample margin in sharpness i but once had the occasion to shoot with the noct, cheapest copy in the market is some €2500 at least.

[tommiejeep]

Sten, many thanks.  With rarity and price I think I will have to be happy with the 58 1.4G (which I am  ) .  I can always dream of finding one in some out of the way shop where the owner doesn't know what he has .. lol
Tom

[Erik Lund]

Thanks for finding and sharing Sten.

The test seems to differ a lot from this one:

http://www.photozone.de/nikon_ff/883-nikkorafs5814ff?start=1

Re shrapness values overall and sharpness values for mid and corener are much more even. But I don't know how they measure preciesly or why there is such a huge difference.

I don't really see that much difference between the old Noct Nikkor and the new 58mm 1.4... Except maybe the old Noct had more of an even field curvature...

[Frank Fremerey]

Do I understand correctly that peak performance at f=4 is due to
sensor characteristics of the D810 and that peak performance might
be found at f=5.6 for a D600 or F=8 for a D3?

[Erik Lund]

No, I belive that is a wrong assumption.

[Frank Fremerey]

I thought the Diffraction limit of the sensors do override the
resolution limit of the lens which might well be at f=4.

So if it was at f=5.6 the smaller pixels might see the peak at f=4
anyway.

As discussed earlier the absolute value of a higher res Sensor
will still be higher than that of a lower res sensor at same aperture.

[simsurace]

I thought the Diffraction limit of the sensors do override the
resolution limit of the lens which might well be at f=4.

So if it was at f=5.6 the smaller pixels might see the peak at f=4
anyway.

As discussed earlier the absolute value of a higher res Sensor
will still be higher than that of a lower res sensor at same aperture.

I'm positive that we have debated this at length in the past. The only way for a sensor to shift the peak of the resolution curve (as a function of aperture), is for the sensor-only MTF function to depend on the aperture of the lens. If you're willing to assume this, you can end up with a peak at f/4 with camera A and a peak at f/5.6 with camera B. Personally, I think the assumption is very unrealistic, plus I have never seen measurements which would lead me to conclude that it is needed. For all intents and purposes, the sharpest aperture of a lens is the same over a very wide range of sensors. Higher-res sensors are therefore expected to give a boost (however small) in resolution at all apertures, and we do not expect the existence of a "diffraction-limited" aperture beyond which there is no resolution increase whatsoever (leaving aside the effects of focusing errors and camera shake which may mask small gains in resolution).

[Almass]

What is there to compare?

One is a night and stars lens and the other is a portrait lens.

One is a collector item and the other is an artsy/fartsy item.

One is manual and the other is AF.

I have both and don't use either. I got the Noct for my collection many years ago and got the 58G because there was a special offer this summer at J. Lewis for GBP999 less VAT, you do the math.

For my type of work, they simply don't cut. Unfortunately, I have limited time to indulge in artsy/fartsy photography and frankly I would rather use the Leica R 50/60. It trashes all 50 focals across all brands.....and I do not do brick walls or IMA test.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Why would one opt for a mistress if there is a beautiful wife yearning for you at home?

These Nikkors put you in a similar, but perhaps easier solvable, quandry.

Enjoy both. Or stick to the one you have available. Or dream on.

(killing a couple of waiting hours at Frankfurt International enroute to S.A.)

[Jakov Minić]

As Paul Newman would say: "Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?”

45P rules

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The 45 P is nice enough, but it lacks the magic of the Noct. Besides, it's way too tiny for my hands.

[Jakov Minić]

Get on that plane! 
There are probably dozens of great normal lenses out there (45-60mm). Probably the most of all focal lengths...

[Frank Fremerey]

Did I mention? I like the 1.8/50g .... hahahah

Thank you Simone. Convincing argument!

[Akira]

If I remember correctly, the aspherical surface is the front side of the second element, not the first one.

EDIT: my memory betrayed me.  The review is correct.