Noct 58/0.95 - technical

[Birna Rørslett]

So, there is no fixed infinity stop then?

[Nikfuson]

So, there is no fixed infinity stop then?

Mechanical infinity is beyond ∞ with optical somewhere between. This can be to acomodate for the very slight physical change in the structure with temperature changes.

[Erik Lund]

It seems it was a very good idea that Nikon added the tripod mount for precise focusing with the very slim depth of focus and to retain image sharpness - BTW how is the stability of the tripod mount?

[Nikfuson]

It seems it was a very good idea that Nikon added the tripod mount for precise focusing with the very slim depth of focus and to retain image sharpness - BTW how is the stability of the tripod mount?

The stability is sufficient as it balances the setup (lens/camera) very well.

[Nikfuson]

Hope this works for you; here's a video of the focus scale from infinity to minimum focus distance.
https://youtu.be/Hkb3VN3fiD0

[Nikfuson]

A few close-ups of the lens:

[Michael Erlewine]

Any thoughts about the old Noct f/1.2, which is not well corrected for aberration. I wonder if I should sell mine? Any reason I should keep it? Of course, I have not tested the new one, which did NOT arrive Saturday as it was supposed to. Getting it today.

[Erik Lund]

Looking very much forward to your findings on the new Z Noct!
The 'old' Noct-Nikkor is quite a lot of money to have sitting around given you excel in APO-lenses as your main focus,,, but the new Z Noct will not fit F-mount!

[Michael Erlewine]

Looking very much forward to your findings on the new Z Noct!
The 'old' Noct-Nikkor is quite a lot of money to have sitting around given you excel in APO-lenses as your main focus,,, but the new Z Noct will not fit F-mount!

I am using my D850 and D810 less and less all the time. I have a great old NOCT 1.2 copy, but I probably should sell it. And I should remind myself that a lens like the 100mm Leica Elmarit R is a very fine lens that I converted, like this shot here with the adapter and Z7.

[Frank Fremerey]

I am using my D850 and D810 less and less all the time. I have a great old NOCT 1.2 copy, but I probably should sell it. And I should remind myself that a lens like the 100mm Leica Elmarit R is a very fine lens that I converted, like this shot here with the adapter and Z7.

amazing, Michael how you manage to outperform yourself with every new shot. I am sure the 0.95/58Z will be in very good hands...

[Nikfuson]

OK, time to adjust my impression on the gull wings at fast openings, here at f/0.95.
And a better view of the blur circles at f/0.95 and f/1.2.

[Nikfuson]

Landscaping at 0.95.

[Fons Baerken]

Gorgeous blur circles looking like smarties

[Michael Erlewine]

The first photo from the 0.95-NOCT. Wide Open. The lens was scheduled to arrive last Saturday, which is why I had these flowers…fresh. Since then, the flowers went south. So, that’s the explanation for the flowers demise, which flowers are now finishing up.

The lens is MASSIVE. And so far, the only thing I am not happy with is that the helicoid turns a little stiff. Is this true for other users? It moves the lens on the tripod a little more than I would like. The bokeh is exceptional.

This is a stacked image, using Zerene Stacker.

[Nikfuson]

Lovely picture Michael!
Yes, the helicoid is on the stiff side but tonight when I shot some stars I found it to be an advantage, not easy to knock focus off.