“Nonikkor-Nocty” is a low-budget 50mm f/1.2 for Z, E and X mounts

A lesser-known brand by the name of Artra Lab has just released a new lens. It’s like they’re not even trying anymore. It’s called the “Nonikkor-Nocty” and it’s a low-budget manual focus 50mm f/1.2 lens ($398) for Nikon Z, Sony E and Fuji X mounts.

Silly name aside, it is a full-frame 50mm f/1.2 manual focus lens. Its wide f/1.2 aperture makes it suited to shallow depth-of-field portraits, not to mention low-light photography. The company says its vintage aesthetic should appeal to the nostalgia addicts.

If it wasn’t obvious, it’s not a Nikkor lens

With a name seemingly inspired by the Nikon Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2, the new ArtraLab “Nonikkor-Nocty” is slightly shorter, at 50mm. This means it still works for portraits but offers a little more field of view for things like street and travel photography.

It has that bright wide f/1.2 aperture. So while you’re shooting those portraits, even on APS-C bodies, you’ll be able to get a very shallow depth of field. At least, you will if that’s the kind of look you’re going for. And if the name didn’t give it away, no, it’s not a Nikkor lens, but it is available for Nikon Z mount cameras – as well as Sony E and Fuji X.

For those who shoot wide apertures out of necessity, f/1.2 should provide plenty of light through the lens when it’s a bit darker. Of course, low-budget manual focus lenses typically don’t shine at maximum aperture. But if you’re more interested in the overall aesthetic than clinical perfection, this may work for you.

Checking out the competition

I did a quick search to see what other 50mm f/1.2 lenses were out there for these systems that were comparable.And there aren’t really many. I couldn’t find anything else for Nikon, although TTArtisan has a 50mm f/1.2 for Fuji X and Sony E, amongst others.

That lens is priced at $98, a quarter of the Artra Lab Nonikkor-Nocty’s purchase price, but it’s an APS-C lens. That’s fine for Fuji, but full-frame Sony shooters will struggle. Nikon Z owners don’t have the option.

The only real options for full-frame Nikon and Sony shooters are the expensive autofocus lenses, such as the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998), Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S ($2,096.95) and Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art ($1,331.85). All of these are significantly more expensive, outside the budgets of newer and most hobbyist photographers.

So, now there’s another option. It will be interesting to see the sample photos and footage coming from this one. Either it’ll be hilariously bad or surprisingly impressive.

Artra Lab Nonikkor-Nocty 50mm f/1.2 Specs

Focal length	50mm
Format	Full-Frame
Mount	Nikkor Z, Sony E, Fuji X
Focus type	Manual focus
Max aperture	f/1.2
Min aperture	f/16
Min focus distance	35cm
Optics	8 elements in 6 groups
Aperture blades	11
Filter diameter	52mm
Dimensions	72 x 83mm
Weight	560g

Price and Availability

The Artra Lab Nonikkor-Nocty 50mm f/1.2 Specs is available to buy now for $398 in Nikon Z, Sony E and Fuji X mounts.

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