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Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2
1 NIKKOR
(85mm equiv., 2013-)
© 2013 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

Intro   Specifications   Performance   Recommendations   More

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Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2

Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2 in black, $896.95. (Nikon 1 coverage only, 52mm filters, 8.3 oz. /235g, 1.5'/0.45m close focus, about $900). This free website's biggest source of support is when you use these links, especially this link directly to this lens at Adorama, when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. It helps me keep reviewing these lenses when you get yours through these links — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you buy elsewhere. Thanks for your support! Ken.

 

Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2

Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2 in silver, $896.95. (Nikon 1 coverage only, 52mm filters, 8.3 oz. /235g, 1.5'/0.45m close focus, about $900). This free website's biggest source of support is when you use these links, especially this link directly to this lens at Adorama, when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. It helps me keep reviewing these lenses when you get yours through these links — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you buy elsewhere. Thanks for your support! Ken.

 

May 2013     Nikon Reviews    Nikon Lens Reviews   All Reviews

Why Fixed Lenses Take Better Pictures

85mm f/1.4 G (2010-)

85mm f/1.4 AF-D (1995-)

85mm f/1.4 AI-s (1981-2006)

 

Introduction       top

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Adorama pays top dollar for your used gear.

Amazon

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

I use these stores and ScanCafe. I can't vouch for ads below.

This 32mm lens on the Nikon 1 cameras sees an angle-of-view similar to what an 85mm lens sees on a real FX or 35mm camera.

This fast 32mm lens attempts to imitate what an 85mm f/1.4 lens does on an FX or 35mm camera.

 

Compatibility       intro     top

This lens works only on Nikon 1 cameras.

It does not work on any FX, DX or 35mm cameras.

 

Specifications         top

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Name        top

Nikon calls this the 1 NIKKOR 32mm f/1.2.

    1: Nikon's brand for their teeny mirrorless cameras.

    NIKKOR: Nikon brand name for all their lenses.

Also has:

    Nano Crystal Coat (N): Magic anti-reflection coating that has a variable index of refraction that's far more effective than multicoating.

    AF-S and SWM: Silent Wave Autofocus Motor.

    D: Couples distance information to the Matrix Meter.

 

Optics        top

Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2 diagram

1 NIKKOR 32mm f/1.2 internal diagram.

9 elements in 7 groups. Conventional spherical design, greatly modified double-Gauss.

Nikon calls the floating element system "CRC," for close-range correction. This means this lens optimizes its design for perfect performance as you focus at any distance.

It's multicoated, which Nikon calls Nikon Integrated Coating.

 

Diaphragm        top

7 rounded blades.

Stops down to f//16.

 

Coverage        top

Nikon 1 coverage only.

Will not work on 35mm film, FX or DX.

 

Focal Length        top

32mm.

When used on a Nikon 1 camera, it sees an angle of view similar to what an 85mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.

 

Angle of View        top

28° on Nikon 1.

 

Close Focus        top

1.5 feet (0.45 meters) from the image plane.

 

Maximum Reproduction Ratio        top

1:12.5 (0.08x).

 

Focus Scale        top

No.

 

Depth-of-Field Scale        top

No.

 

Infra-Red Focus Index        top

No.

 

Aperture Ring        top

No.

 

Size        top

Nikon 1 specifies 2.58 " (65.5 mm) diameter by 1.85" (47 mm) extension from flange.

 

Weight        top

Nikon specifies 8.3 oz. (235 g).

 

Hood        top

Plastic bayonet HB-N107 hood, included.

 

Case        top

Optional CL-N107.

 

Included        top

Caps.

HB-N107 hood.

 

Announced        top

14 May 2013.

 

Promised for         top

June 2013.

 

Nikon Product Number        top

3359.

 

Price, USA        top

$900, May 2013.

 

Performance         top

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No one has any idea; real production samples won't exist until June 2013.

Nikon's MTF curve tells us that at f/1.2 it's pretty darn good, but not perfect. In practice, this curve is quite similar to the MTF of the 85mm f/1.4 G, which is spectacular in actual use.

Nikon 1 32mm f/1.2 MTF

Nikon's claimed MTF for 20 and 60 cyc./mm (equivalent to 7.4 and 22 cyc./mm on full-frame 35mm.)

As a double-Gauss-based design, I expect we'll see plenty of spherochromatism (color fringes on out-of-focus highlights), just as we do on the 85/1.4 G. This is good, since it makes green backgrounds even smoother.

Nikon claims a "high-quality metallic exterior," which sound like weasel words suggesting it's not actually metal, but merely has exterior metal trim covering a plastic carcass, like some of the the awful Sony NEX lenses. Watch out.

 

Recommendations       top

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For $900, I'd much rather buy a real 85mm f/1.4 lens for a real camera, like the 85mm f/1.4 G (2010-), 85mm f/1.4 AF-D (1995-) or 85mm f/1.4 AI-s (1981-2006) - but that's just me. If you've got it, flaunt it, and get one of these lenses. The 85mm f/1.4 as imitated by this lens on Nikon 1 cameras is one of photography's most useful lenses.

If you want narrow depth of field, focal length has far more to do with it than f/number, so use either a longer lens on the Nikon 1, or shoot a larger format like DX or FX, and even a slower lens will do a better job of blurring backgrounds than any 32mm f/1.2 lens.

 

Deployment

I'd leave either a 52mm Nikon 1 Clear (NC - UV) filter, or a 52mm Hoya Super HMC UV on the lens at all times. I would leave the hood at home.

If I was working in nasty, dirty areas, I'd forget the cap, and use an uncoated 52mm Tiffen UV filter instead. Uncoated filters are much easier to clean, but more prone to ghosting.

 

More Information        top

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Nikon's page on the 32/1.2.

 

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Thanks for reading!

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Ken Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.

 

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