No photo available for this lens
Production
1977 – 1998
Country
Japan
Optical
7 elements in 6 groups
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Nikon Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2
Nikon F (AI/AI-S)
Overview
The Nikon Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 is Nikon's ultimate night lens — hand-ground aspherical elements designed specifically to eliminate coma and sagittal flare when shooting wide open at night. It was created for astrophotographers and low-light specialists who needed perfect point lights. The 'Noct' name comes from 'nocturnal,' and this lens was built to own the darkness.
Verdict: A technical marvel and collector's dream. The Noct-Nikkor is for photographers who specifically need coma-free f/1.2 performance — astrophotographers, night cityscape shooters, and collectors. For everyone else, the regular 50mm f/1.2 is the sensible choice. But nothing else does what the Noct does.
Optical Character
Sharpness wide open
Excellent sharpness wide open, though some chromatic aberration is present until around f/2.8.
Community Insights
What people love
- No coma at f/1.2 — point lights stay points
- Hand-ground aspherical element (legendary craftsmanship)
- 58mm focal length is distinctive
- Night and astro photography excellence
- Collector status and investment value
- The only lens of its kind
What people dislike
- Astronomically expensive ($3000-5000+)
- Only practical advantage is coma control
- Rare and hard to find
- 58mm requires different filters than standard 52mm
- f/1.2 DoF is challenging
Pro Tips
- Buy for astro/night photography, not general use
- The 50mm f/1.2 is better value for non-critical use
- Test against point lights before purchasing
- Collectible — condition is everything for value
Sources (4)
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-58mm-1-2-ai-noct-nikkor/
unknown-
https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2019/08/20/the-nikon-noct-58-f-1-2-lens-review-the-most-beautiful-lens-in-the-world/
unknown-
https://www.momentcorp.com/review/nikon_noct-nikkor_58mm.html
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Nikon Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 is Nikon's ultimate night lens — hand-ground aspherical elements designed specifically to eliminate coma and sagittal flare when shooting wide open at night. It was created for astrophotographers and low-light specialists who needed perfect point lights. The 'Noct' name comes from 'nocturnal,' and this lens was built to own the darkness.
Nikon official documentationCommunity consensus