ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 is a magic tool full of character, perfectly balanced. It delivers jaw-dropping results at a great price. Here’s what makes it so special.
Intro
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 is a must-have lens for full-frame Nikon Z, Sony E or a Fujifilm X-Pro photographer.
The results I got with ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 are jaw-dropping, and the price is really great.
Lets see my findings regarding this amazing lens that’s able to see into the night.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Short Name
The name of this lens is “Nocty” because it has an f/1.2 aperture, meaning it can see into the night as also it lets in lots of light to saturate the sensor.
This lens is great for:
- portraiture,
- dreamy portraits,
- subject-to-background separation.
It will help you make jaw-dropping portraits—amazing portraits.
The lens is called “Nocty” and has a 50mm focal length with an f/1.2 aperture, made by Artra Lab.
It is available for the:
- Z mount,
- Sony full-frame mount,
- Fujifilm X mount.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Focus Experience
This is a manual focusing lens, but it’s a true pleasure to focus.
The manual focusing experience with this lens is one of the best, offering the joy of focusing and seeing the results.
The focusing ring is huge and very well-damped—one of the best I’ve ever experienced.
At f/1.2, it can be challenging to nail the focus, but when you do, the results are astounding.
Even if you don’t perfectly nail the focus, the lens delivers amazing 3D pop and micro-contrast, giving dreamy, astounding images.
It has a true infinity point, making it versatile for street photography, especially at f/8 – f/11. The focusing scale is long, allowing precise focus at f/1.2 or f/1.4.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Aperture Ring
The aperture ring has well-damped clicks, ensuring it doesn’t easily get bumped.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Build Quality
The build quality of this lens is top-notch. It’s built like a tank but feels very well-balanced on cameras like the Sony A7C and Nikon Z.
Despite being around 500g, it doesn’t feel heavy in practice.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Lens Hood
The vintage-style lens hood adds a nice design touch, and the lens balances beautifully on various cameras.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Minimum Focus Distance
The minimum focus distance is 0.35m, which is great for versatility. However, shooting at f/1.2 at such a close distance requires careful handling due to the shallow depth of field.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Image Quality
Regarding image quality, it is crazy good with jaw-dropping results.
The bokeh is amazing, thanks to the 11 aperture blades, which melt the areas in front and behind the subject.
For sharp results, start from f/2 or f/2.8, but the pleasure lies in shooting at f/1.2.
The lens does have some flaws, like flare in direct light and chromatic aberration (purple fringing) in high-contrast areas, but these are manageable in post-processing.
This lens is not for beginners; it’s for semi-pro and advanced photographers who want exceptional image quality.
The glow at f/1.2 adds a dreamy quality, especially to portraits.
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2 Conclusion
In conclusion, this lens is outstanding for manual focusing, delivering amazing results with its smooth bokeh and character.
Also check my video review about Nocty 50mm f1.2 here.
It’s perfect for Nikon Z, Sony or Fujifilm cameras.
It’s excellent for street and night photography, and pre-focusing makes it easier to shoot moving subjects.
This is a must-have lens for those who appreciate high-quality, manual-focus photography.
NOCTY 50mm F1.2 Short Cons
- Manual focus only, requiring skill and patience to master.
- Prone to flare when shooting in direct light without the lens hood.
- Purple fringing in high-contrast scenes.
- Limited availability to specific mounts (Z, Sony, Fujifilm X).
NOCTY 50mm F1.2 Short PROS
- Good image quality with dreamy bokeh and 3D pop.
- Large f/1.2 aperture for stunning low-light performance.
- Smooth and precise manual focusing experience.
- Good weight distribution with excellent build, weighing only 500g.
- Versatile for street, portrait, and night photography.
Where To Buy
ARTRA LAB NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm F1.2?
You can get it here: manufacture site or search on Amazon here (aff link).