Nippon Kogaku / Nikon Nikkor-S[·C] Auto 55mm F/1.2

Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

Announced:
· November 1967
Production status:
● Discontinued
Country of design:
· Japan
Original name:
· Nippon Kogaku NIKKOR-S Auto 1:1.2 f=55mm
· Nikon NIKKOR-S Auto 1:1.2 f=55mm
· Nikon NIKKOR-S·C Auto 1:1.2 f=55mm
Class:
· Ultra-fast full-frame standard prime lens
System:
· Nikon F (1959)

Abbreviations

S	The lens consists of seven elements.

Model history (6)

■Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S Auto 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1965 ●
■Nippon Kogaku / Nikon Nikkor-S[·C] Auto 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1967 ●
■Nikon Nikkor 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.50m	⌀52	1974 ●
■Nikon AI Nikkor 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.50m	⌀52	1977 ●
■Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/1.2	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀52	1978 ●
■Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.2	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀52	1981 ●

Specification

Optical design:
Maximum format:	35mm full frame
Focal length:	55mm
Speed:	F/1.2
Lens construction:	7 elements in 5 groups (Double Gauss derivative)
Mount and Flange focal distance:	Nikon F [46.5mm]
Diagonal angle of view:	42.9° (35mm full frame)
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:	Automatic
Aperture control:	Aperture ring (Manual settings only)
Number of blades:	7 (seven)
Focusing:
Closest focusing distance:	0.60m
Magnification ratio:	<No data>
Focusing modes:	Manual focus only
Manual focus control:	Focusing ring
Physical characteristics:
Weight:	420g
Maximum diameter x Length:	⌀73.5×49.5mm
Accessories:
Filters:	Screw-type 52mm
Lens hood:	HN-6 - Screw-type round
Lens hood:	HS-3 - Snap-on round
Teleconverters:	<No data>

Sources of data

Manufacturer's technical data.
Nikon/Nikkormat Sales Manual (March 1972).
Nikon F2 Photography Guide.
Nikkor lenses for Nikon and Nikkormat cameras.

Manufacturer description #1

Fastest of all Nikkor lenses, the 55mm f1.2 is designed to produce great pictures under all-but-impossible light conditions. Its ultra-high speed - 36% faster than the f1.4 - often means a vital extra margin for available light photography, in color as well as black and white. Anyone interested in this type of work will find the f1.2 a valuable additional lens for use primarily in such dim-light situations.

The 55mm f1.2 is one of the first Nikkor lenses featuring multi-layer-coated glass-air surfaces. This helps the lens achieve its impressive performance quality which is truly remarkable in view of its fantastic speed. It accepts the same 52mm diameter filters as most other Nikkors and focuses as close as 24 inches.

Manufacturer description #2

Featuring an f/1.2 aperture, this is the brightest among Nikkor Auto lenses. It incorporates the time honored high resolution characteristic of Nikkor lenses.

Despite its large aperture, aberrations are corrected to the highest degree. Flares are minimized to give a sharp image of outstanding contrast at full lens opening.

Thanks to the bright viewfinder image and shallow depth of field, focusing is rapid and precise.

Besides general photography, this lens is highly useful for indoor and outdoor color photography without flash.

From the editor

·C (multi-coated) version of this lens was introduced in October 1972. The specification is exactly the same as for the single-coated version.

Notes

This non-AI lens was designed for Nikon F, F2, Nikkormat FS, FT, FT2, FTN, EL, ELW 35mm film SLR cameras.
Non-AI lenses cannot be used on Nikon digital SLR cameras (except for the Df) or late (AI) film SLR cameras. However, non-AI lenses can be fitted to Nikon FM, FE, EL2, F3, F4 and Nikkormat FT3 cameras which used the AI metering system but allowed the metering coupling lever to be disengaged. The F5 could have this mechanism fitted as an optional extra. Non-AI lenses can be also fitted to the Nikon F2A and F2AS cameras because the AI mechanism was fitted to the removable metering prism.

Other standard prime lenses in the Nikon F system

■Nikon F mount (27)
Nippon Kogaku / Nikon GN Nikkor[·C] Auto 45mm F/2.8 • Pancake lens	A	4 - 3	0.80m	⌀52	1968 ●
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 45mm F/2.8P • Pancake lens	A	4 - 3	0.45m	⌀52	2001 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S Auto 50mm F/2	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1959 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H Auto 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.60m	⌀52	1964 ●
Nippon Kogaku / Nikon Nikkor-H[·C] Auto 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.60m	⌀52	1967 ●
Nikon Nikkor 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.45m	⌀52	1974 ●
Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.45m	⌀52	1977 ●
Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1978 ●
Nikon Series E 50mm F/1.8 Type 1 • Pancake lens	A	6 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1979 ●
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1980 ●
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1981 ●
Nikon Series E 50mm F/1.8 Type 2 • Pancake lens	A	6 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1981 ●
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8	A	6 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1985 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S Auto 50mm F/1.4	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1962 ●
Nippon Kogaku / Nikon Nikkor-S[·C] Auto 50mm F/1.4	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1966 ●
Nikon Nikkor 50mm F/1.4	A	7 - 5	0.45m	⌀52	1974 ●
Nikon Nikkor 50mm F/1.4	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀52	1976 ●
Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/1.4	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀52	1977 ●
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.4	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀52	1981 ●
Nikon AI Nikkor 50mm F/1.2	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀52	1978 ●
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.2	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀52	1981 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S Auto 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.60m	⌀52	1965 ●
Nikon Nikkor 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.50m	⌀52	1974 ●
Nikon AI Nikkor 55mm F/1.2	A	7 - 5	0.50m	⌀52	1977 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S Auto 58mm F/1.4	A	7 - 6	0.60m	⌀52	1959 ●
Nikon AI Noct-Nikkor 58mm F/1.2	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀52	1977 ●
Nikon AI-S Noct-Nikkor 58mm F/1.2	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀52	1981 ●

Lenses with similar focal length

■Nikon F mount (14)
Cosina Tokyo Kogaku Auto-Topcor 58mm F/1.4 (1600 units)	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀58	2003 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F/1.4 SL II	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀58	2007 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F/1.4 SL II N	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀58	2012 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F/1.4 SL II S	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀52	2016 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 55mm F/1.2 SL II S	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀52	2023 ●
Helios-81N 50mm F/2 MC akaArsat H 50mm F/2 akaHelios-81M 53mm F/2 [MC] akaHelios-81N 53mm F/2 akaГЕЛИОС-81М 53mm F/2 [МС] akaГЕЛИОС-81Н 50mm F/2 МС akaГЕЛИОС-81Н 53mm F/2	A	6 - 4	0.50m	⌀49	1978 ●
Helios-123N 50mm F/1.4 MC akaArsat H 50mm F/1.4 akaГЕЛИОС-123Н 50mm F/1.4 МС	A	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀52	1990 ●
Volna-8N 50mm F/1.2 MC akaВОЛНА-8Н 50mm F/1.2 МС	A	7 - 6	0.50m	⌀58	1983 ●
Selena 58mm F/1.9	M	4 - 3	0.80m	⌀62	2021 ●
Risespray 50mm F/1.7 SLR	M	6 - 5	0.50m	⌀52	●
Risespray 50mm F/1.4 SLR akaLightdow 50mm F/1.4 SLR	M	7 - 6	0.45m	⌀55	●
Carl Zeiss Classic Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 / ZK / ZS	A	7 - 6	0.45m	E58	2006 ●
ZEISS Otus Apo Distagon T* 55mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2	A	12 - 10	0.50m	E77	2013 ●
ZEISS Milvus Distagon T* 50mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2	A	10 - 8	0.45m	E67	2015 ●

■Nikon F mount (1) · APS-C
Zenitar 50mm F/1.2 S	M	8 - 7	0.45m	⌀62	2015 ●

■Interchangeable mount (2)
MS Optics MS-Mode-S 50mm F/1.3 Dualsystem (200 units)	M	5 - 4	1.00m	⌀49	2006 ●
Tamron 58mm F/1.2 [T] akaTaika Harigon 58mm F/1.2	P	8 - 6	1.8 ft.		1960 ●

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