Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 Review : I Made A HUGE Mistake With This Lens

[@glennn.3464]

There have been many, many reviews of this lens already but still nice to see your take on it. Looking forward to seeing your comparison review of all your 50mm lenses.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Thanks a million and yes I am very late to the party with this lens. Kind of kicking myself now but every day is a school day as they say. Looking forward to comparing them all now too. I was presuming they would all be fairly close but now I am really wondering about that. I think the two Z series lenses are going to be the winners here.

[@lolingsaraee]

brilliant video,im at the moment pondering over the 50 or 85 often using both focal lengths in equal amounts

[@kieranhayesphotography]

I am in exactly the same situation. I have a few 50's and 85's so I never bought the new F1.2 versions and now I can't decide between them. The 85mm is the one I would get most use out of. So today I steering towards that one. Then again another part of me is saying get both 😂😂😂. Thanks for watching and for the kind feedback 👍

[@Jawad.1]

Awesome Video!!! Excellently Presented!!!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Thanks a million, really appreciate it

[@jameskezman]

Great review - I know that a few other reviewers are also enamored of this lens, too! It’s good to see Nikon swinging for the seats! I rented its stablemate, the 85/1.2, in October for a wedding and used it on my Z7II. HOLY @&¥! what amazing combo. The subject separation and ridiculously creamy bokeh reminded me of a Leica Summilux. What a fantastic lens series!!!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It truly is amazing alright to see Nikon producing some of the best lenses out there. They just keep getting better and better. I am trying to get my hands on the 85mm F1.2 now as I have heard amazing things about it. Fingers crossed Nikon can send it out to me for a few weeks. Thanks for watching and the feedback it's greatly appreciated.

[@dct124]

There's no mistake with any lens unless it's unprofitable, or unenjoyable and I've never met a lens I didn't enjoy, even broken ones.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

That's very true too, I am thinking more of the end results for work and clients. I always enjoy taking photographs 😉

[@mynameisnotcory]

Canon 35-80 that only shoots at f11 because the mechanical stuff is wonky…that comes to mind…dont shoot with that!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@mynameisnotcory lol not for shallow depth if fields shoots anyway 😂😂😂

[@mynameisnotcory]

@ its a kit lens from 1988, not quite worth messing with at this point when a replacement might be 5 bucks at the goodwill

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@mynameisnotcory it's always going to be better than no lens. The most important thing is to enjoy taking the photograph 👍

[@LOLA6ifyable]

I've been using the 50 1.2 for about 2 years now , I'd say it's 70% of the time on my cameras , love it! Why it's so big? I'm no optics engineer , but I guess it'slight transition , and the size of the Z mount. Maybe gen II would be smaller , but for now I love it. BTW it is a far better built , and faster to focus than Canon 50 1.2 , haven't had much time with the Sony 50 1.2 Hope the 35 1.2 would come soon , and it won't be as big , it would be great along side my 50 .

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Oh to make something this optically perfect I am perfectly happy with the extra size. Something has to give to get perfection like this. Size and weight are the only negatives I found but it's no different to using a 24-70 F2.8 S line lens. I am anxiously waiting for the 35mm F1.2 also. Even though the F1.8 is amazing too. Fingers crossed that comes out soon now.

[@marcusbeasley3212]

I have had this lens for I think over three years now. It was such a good investment.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Ya, I can see that now alright. If I didn't already have the F1.8 I would have bought the F1.2 at launch. Crazy good lens and a very good investment. Enjoy every second of it and thanks for watching and more importantly for the feedback on the lens.

[@marcusbeasley3212]

@@kieranhayesphotography At the time I already had the 35 and 85 1.8 lenses so had the "I want something different" mindset. Saw a used 50 1.2 on sale and just jumped on it. One of the best decisions I ever made when getting into Z mount.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@marcusbeasley3212 that certainly was a very good move alright.

[@EugeneMaynard]

Nice to see that others see what I see in mine!😂👍🏾 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Oh, I have fallen deeply for that lens. It's a beautiful but of kit. Enjoy every second of using it.

[@borzumo]

I wish it be little bigger and heavier, as well as color display can help a lot

[@kieranhayesphotography]

I am guessing you are saying that tongue in cheek.

[@Slave-Of-Christ]

I really don't care, but do occasionally try to help by giving the correct pronunciation of “bokeh.“ It is pronounced how an American would say “bouquet,“ but with the stress on the “bo“ rather than the “k.“ Note that Americans usually pronounce “bouquet“ with a “bo“ rather than “boo.“ Like saying “okay“ with a “b“ sound at the beginning. Anyway, I was thankful when I learned the proper pronunciation of Leica, so hope others will appreciate how to say “bokeh."

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Sorry only seeing this comment now... Yes, I really do need to get that right. I probably needed that kick to push me to keep saying it correctly 😉 So thank you. I have a policy that every day is a learning day and I strive to improve so all positively meant comments help, so thanks 👍

[@MadManTnT]

welcome to the 1.2 club :D

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It's one beautiful lens isn't it? I thought as I had the F1.8 already I didn't really need it.

[@MadManTnT]

@@kieranhayesphotography wait until you get your hands on the 85mm f1.2

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@MadManTnT I have three 85mn lenses here and I was thinking after reviewing this lens maybe I missed the boat on the 85mn F1.2 and that's the only reason I haven't bought the 50 as of yet. I am thinking I should go for the 85 F1.2 instead as I would use that more. Damn Nikon and all their great glass 😂

[@MadManTnT]

@ I have them all. They are amazing.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@MadManTnT only slightly jealous now. I need to splash out over the next few months and upgrade all my lenses I think. I am still waiting for the 35mm F1.2, I can't wait for that one.

[@Jawad.1]

I actually despise that Petal-shaped lens hood. The one that comes with Sony's 50mm F/1.2 is much more aesthetically pleasing...!!!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Once it works that's all I care about 😉 This lens could have a pink hood and I would still love it 😂😂🙂

[@leonfisher]

I knew it would be great because the box is big.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Number one criteria 😉 Go big or go home as they say 👍. Thanks Leon.

[@stefan_becker]

I think that the Nikon 50mm f1.2 is definitively unnecessarily huge and heavy. Comparing it with the Sony 50mm f1.2 GM or the Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN makes me wonder why Nikon created this monster of a lens. Optically, I think it's great. Unfortunately, the autofocus speed is average at best (compared to the quiet and lightning-fast Sony 50mm f1.2 GM). I tested the lens, didn't like it, and probably won't buy it. Unfortunately, there are currently no alternative 50mm f1.2 lenses for Nikon Z. On the other hand, the 50mm f1.8 S is a small and great lens - in my opinion it would just need at least f1.4. A propos f1.4: I don't like the new Nikon 50mm f1.4 lens either, as (in my opinion) it doesn't have such a nice bokeh and not such good edge sharpness. Therefore, I will probably wait for a newer, hopefully smaller and lighter version of the Nikon 50mm f1.2 (or a 3rd party 50mm f1.2?) and use my 50mm f1.8 S until then.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

This lens is big, there is no doubt about that. It's also heavy but then again my Sigma Art is no light lens either and not too far off the F1.2's weight. I am well used to ha d holding the 24-70 F 2.8 and a Z8 or the 70-200 F2.8 for 6 to 8 hours a day so I am kind of used to it. The focus speed is good I would have thought especially considering the amount of glass it's moving. Then again my subjects are generally not moving too quickly so speed isn't vitally important for me personally. It's certainly not the fastest focus I have seen but more than good enough for my use. That's part of the reason I put the video of it in there so people can judge it for themselves. All in all I think it's a mind blowingly good lens and the lack of distortion and focus breathing and CA is just incredible. I don't like the new F1.4 either but then again it's a very different price point too. Fingers crossed you get the lens you are looking for soon and thanks for watching.

[@Slave-Of-Christ]

LOL! Your pronunciation of “bokeh“ is hilarious. Not making fun of you, by the way. But, the way you pronounced it makes it sound like “baka,“ which in Japanese means stupid!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

I know I always get that wrong, I have a Japanese friend that always laughs at me when I say it. You can actually see it in my face some times when I say it I am a little nervous. I originally learned it wrong and when I am under pressure recording a video I refer to my default pronunciation. Usually on my first recording of the sentence I get it right but the first recording never works out 😂. He told me the best way to pronounce it is to think of it as bow and then a half silent k and eeh. To be honest most people can't understand me anyway 😂

[@Slave-Of-Christ]

@@kieranhayesphotography I understand you and love your vids. Thanks!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@Slave-Of-Christ thank you. It's good to know people can understand my accent 👍