Quick answer
A manual-focus f/1.2 lens introduced in 1977, with an aspheric element to control coma and sagittal flare at wide apertures. It has a 52mm filter thread and weighs about 480g.
Pros
- f/1.2 aperture
- Aspheric element
- Coma control for point lights
- Close focus of 0.5m
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Very rare
- Heavier than other Nikon normal primes at about 480g
Verdict
A collector's lens built for night scenes with point light sources.
About this lens
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Noct: a fast standard prime lens with a 58mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.2, made for Nikon F mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Noct specifications
- Brand
- Nikon
- Mount
- Nikon F
- Focal length
- 58mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.2
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Optical construction
- 7 elements in 6 groups
- Autofocus motor
- none
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.5 m
- Filter thread
- 52 mm
- Weight
- 480 g
- Length
- 63 mm
- Diameter
- 74 mm
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Nikon AI-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Noct?
- Collectors
- Night photography
- Adapted use on Z
Its very wide maximum aperture suits low light and shallow depth of field with strong background blur.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 58mm | 34.5° | 40.9° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 87mm | 23.4° | 27.9° |
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Noct Nikkor special?
It was designed to control coma and flare wide open, so point lights at night stay sharp.
Can I use the 58mm f/1.2 Noct on Z cameras?
Yes, with the FTZ or FTZ II adapter. You focus by hand, and once you enter its focal length and aperture in the lens-data menu the camera can meter and stabilize.
What is the modern successor to the 58mm f/1.2 Noct?
The Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is its spiritual successor. It is a Z-mount lens and, like the original, is manual focus.
Alternatives for Nikon F from other brands
All Nikon F lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
