Author Topic: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good  (Read 1458 times)

Michael Erlewine

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Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« on: November 15, 2020, 17:26:06 »
I can’t help but read the various reports on the very special Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens, often by people who have never even tried it. I had to sell an enormous amount of camera stuff to purchase my copy, some of which I miss. Was it worth it?

For me, and the kind of close-up work I do, it was totally worth it. I find myself reaching for the Noct95 just all the time, almost embarrassingly so. This is just a very superior lens.

It has a huge focus throw, which is what I need for detailed stacked photos and it is fast as fast gets. It is also just as sharp as I could ask for, and I am fussy.

The lens is heavy and quite a lug, and every time I pick it up, I have to compensate for that weight. It is so helpful to have horizontal/vertical positioning build in. It would be difficult without that. The focus throw is a little stiff for my taste, but seems to be loosening up and it is not about to slide one way or the other, so perhaps that is compensation for the drag or stiffness.

I guess the only reason I am writing this is to point out that there is really not much wrong with this lens and a whole lot of things right, amazingly right. Those of you who rent a copy will find out that it is not true because I say it, but that I say it is because it’s true.

Here is a photo (stacked) I just took this morning with the Nikon Z7 and the Noct95 of a Datura inoxia bloom.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

Fons Baerken

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2020, 18:03:29 »
Yes!

BruceSD

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2020, 22:47:31 »
.
The tonal gradations in the white petals is amazing!

Michael Erlewine

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2020, 23:30:36 »
.
The tonal gradations in the white petals is amazing!

That's my point, a really good lens.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

Jakov Minić

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2020, 01:43:52 »
Michael, you are really good at what you do regardless of lens used.
Free your mind and your ass will follow. - George Clinton
Before I jump like monkey give me banana. - Fela Kuti
Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem. - Woody Allen

Erik Lund

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2020, 08:37:58 »
Exquisite image - Thanks for sharing ;)
Erik Lund

Michael Erlewine

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2020, 16:12:08 »
Michael, you are really good at what you do regardless of lens used.

IMO, another jaw-dropping new lens is the Nikon 70-200mm f.2.8 S lens for the Z cameras!
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

Toby

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2020, 23:19:19 »
Michael, you are really good at what you do regardless of lens used.

I second that. To be honest, with focus stacking, I probably would not see the difference in your shots regardless of the lens used (within reason). However from what I have seen, the Nikon f0.95 is exceptional. I use the old Canon f0.95 a lot for my funny bokeh photography, and it has some serious optical issues. The Nikon seems exceptional in its correction of all the Seidel aberrations, and at f0.95 to boot!

Akira

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2020, 10:58:42 »
Michael, on my all too humble computer screen, I cannot detect subtle differences between most of the lenses you have been using.  But, so long as they satisfy you and make you want to shoot more, I would be happy to see the results.
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

Michael Erlewine

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2020, 11:06:12 »
Michael, on my all too humble computer screen, I cannot detect subtle differences between most of the lenses you have been using.  But, so long as they satisfy you and make you want to shoot more, I would be happy to see the results.

LOL. Probably true, but to my mind, they each are different, good for certain distances, magnifications, and all of that. And certain of them have  their own character.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

PeterN

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2020, 18:34:50 »
.
The tonal gradations in the white petals is amazing!

I fully agree! And what a wonderful display of nature's beauty
Peter

Tristin

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Re: Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens: It Is That Good
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2020, 19:55:16 »
As with most things in the upper reaches of excellence go, the last 5% is where the gap between the competitors show.  Were Michael to be posting the full files, I'm sure you would be seeing the difference Akira.  And Michael can't un-see them even when looking at the down-sampled images.  While we aren't able to really appreciate that final 5% shine in the down-sampled images, we are always able to enjoy Michael's stellar shot production and processing.  The new Noct looks like a dream studio lens.
-Tristin