Artra Lab’s Nocty-Nonikkor 50mm f/1.2 is a Not Subtle Nikkor Knockoff

Oct 01, 2024

A camera lens labeled "Nocty-NONIKKOR 5" with a large reflective front element. The lens features a focus ring with ridged texture for grip and an aperture ring marked with f-stops from f/1.2 to f/16. The lens is shown on a plain white background.

The “Nocty-Nonikkor” 50mm f/1.2 lens from Artra Lab is an extremely not-subtle imitation for photographers who want a Nikon Noct-like experience on a budget.

A new lens from lesser-known brand Artra Lab should be oddly familiar for Nikon shooters. With a name like “Nonikkor-Nocty,” it’s clear that they’re not trying to be subtle here.

As reported by DIYPhotography, the Nonikkor-Nocty is a low budget 50mm f/1.2 manual focus lens for Nikon Z, Sony E, and Fujifilm X mounts.

A close-up of a black Nikon 50mm 1:1.2 camera lens. The lens is placed on its side against a white background, with the protective lens cap and a detached lens hood set beside it. The lens elements inside are clearly visible.

The Artra Lab website states the lens was “crafted for photographers and videographers who seek a unique visual signature, this lens offers an extraordinary blend of artistry and performance.”

The lens is a manual focus-only and takes both its design cues, performance range, and, well, it’s name from the classic Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 for Nikon SLRs. This lens is a hair wider, at 50mm, though shooters seeking that nostalgic shooting experience on a budget should still be satisfied.

The optical design features eight elements arranged into six groups, and the 11 blade aperture should produce some soft bokeh. The lens is fully metal as well, so photographers should expect a vintage feel (and weight) along with the vintage look.

A close-up shot of a Nikon Zf camera with a large lens attached. The camera features various dials and controls on the top, and the Nikon logo is prominently displayed. The body has a textured grip, and the lens has detailed markings indicating focus and aperture settings.

DIYPhotography also notes that there is a slim market right now for comparable 50mm f/1.2 manual lenses, with the closest being some APS-C glass made for Fujifilm. At almost $400, this lens still is not super-cheap. However, it is significantly less expensive than the fast 50mm f/1.2 lenses with autofocus produced by Sony, Nikon, and Sigma.

Presently, there are no sample images available but the Hong Kong-based Artra Lab is currently estimating orders to be fulfilled later this fall.

What is available presently are images of the lens, both on its own as well as attached to a Nikon Zf. In today’s race for modern mirrorless image perfection with sleek camera and lens designs, the market for nostalgic-feeling photography tools is becoming more apparent. While it’s difficult to judge how this lens will perform at this moment, at the very least, it looks gorgeous.

Close-up view of a black Nikon camera with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 lens attached. The lens displays various aperture settings, distance markers, and is branded with "Nikkor" and "AI'd," indicating its modified mount. The camera’s body includes control dials.