I don't know why I'm replying again as we don't seem to be getting anywhere but out of politeness and for clarity I'll reply once more
Yes, I see your point but what you seem to be missing is that what I'm posting is my opinion.
What I've been talking about is dof and I'm usually not fussed about the difference in dof between f1.2, 1.4, 1.8 or f2 as I don't tend to go for the very thin dof look very often but even if I want that I can get shallow enough dof
for me at f1.8- f2 by moving closer to the subject although I do appreciate that ever wider apertures are needed if going for a shallow dof look at longer distances where there's more dof. dof tables tell the story well enough. It's somewhere past f2 and approaching f2.8 that's more significant
for me. The other characterises of a lens are more important to me than ultimate aperture (for reasons of shallow dof) and I'd buy a nice lens based on my own wants and needs with ultimate aperture being further down the list than some other things.
I can't see myself ever having f1.2 as "The No.1 criteria" as you put it as imvho the difference between f1.2 and f1.4 are negligible apart from the size of the bokeh balls (and that's just in my vho) and ditto f1.4 to f1.8 and on to f2. The times when those differences in dof would matter
to me are negligible once passed the testing and honeymoon period. Light gathering, sharpness across the frame, vignetting, ca and the look are all other issues to consider.
I just can't see myself having f1.2 as my top of the list want. f1.2 rather than f1.4, f1.8 or even f2 would be incidental. That's just my opinion based on my wants and needs and the look I like. I'm free to have it and you're free to have yours
This is a forum
For anyone on the edge and trying to decide if they want f1.x or f1.x for dof I'd recommend looking at several series of pictures from wide open to an aperture where dof isn't so much of an issue and at different distances. Maybe f1.2 to f5.6 and near, mid and far distances might be nice. This is what I went through to make it clear in my own mind.