Nikon 50mm f1.2
Leica CL + Nikon 50mm f1.2 {at f1.2}
In my excitement over being able to fit all my M42 lenses onto the Leica CL, I completely forgot about other interesting lenses worth trying. Namely: the Nikon 50mm f1.2, which I bought along with my Nikon FM3A fifteen-plus years ago. I had since given that camera to my husband, and it was he who reminded me that it was possible to try Nikon lenses on the CL, should I ever want to revisit them.
I did not in fact especially want to revisit any Nikon lenses. But I was interested in trying to photograph at f1.2, which I hadn’t done in a fairly long time. Most of my lenses these days are f2-f2.8, which is pretty much as wide as I like to photograph. Anything beyond that, and I don’t really find the photos that useful, or interesting. But of course there are exceptions, and who knows - maybe upon revisiting this lens I might suddenly find an f1.2 lens indispensable.
Leica CL + Nikon 50mm f1.2 {at f1.2}
So I bought a Nikon F mount to Leica L mount adaptor, and have been using the lens over the past 2 days. I messed around with some low light indoor shots, then had an opportunity to photograph Kerry in the polytunnel today.
Admittedly, photographing wide open is considerably easier with a mirrorless camera than with an SLR. But at f1.2, I am not sure I have much use for this lens. A friend who owns the same lens describes its performance at f1.2 as ‘vaseliney’ and that is probably a good way to put it.
When photographing in colour, something strange seems to happen - as if the images lose their punchiness compared to, say, f2.8. In black and white it’s better, but… I don’t actually have the technical vocabulary to describe what I am seeing. I mean, the photos aren’t as sharp as they could be, but it isn’t just that. It reminds me of a specific kind of vintage look, I guess? But not in a good way.
Leica CL + Nikon 50mm f1.2 {at f2.8}
Back to my comfort zone, the above photo was shot at f2.8. Much better. But also redundant, as I wouldn’t say that at 2.8 the Nikon offers something that I cannot get from either my Zeiss Jena Pancolar, or from my husband’s Leica Summarit. And also: the Nikon 50mm f1.2 is absolutely enormous on the Leica CL. So if I don’t plan to use it at apertures higher than f2, what is the point of affixing such a monstrosity.
With all that being said: I do not intend to dismiss this lens, or the idea of photographing at f1.2, after trying it for two days. Admittedly, it could be a matter of my needing practice. Not just practice focusing, but practice composing shots and positioning the subject, specifically with such a shallow depth of field in mind. I will keep playing around with it, and see what I think in the new year.
