Nikon’s ultra-fast 35mm is formidable, and it performs at a really excessive degree
Introduction
Not too huge, not too slender – excellent. I’m speaking concerning the 35mm lens, a basic for documentary and avenue images (and extra). At the moment, I’m right here to assessment not simply any 35mm lens, however probably the most excessive 35mm that Nikon has ever made: the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S.
This ultra-bright lens joins the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 and 85mm f/1.2 as simply the third autofocus f/1.2 lens that Nikon has ever made. It’s heavy (1060 grams) and costly ($2800), and it options lots of Nikon’s bells and whistles in its 17-element, 15-group optical design.
I’ve taken this lens round Prague whereas Spencer examined a second copy within the Images Life lab. At the moment, I wish to convey you my full assessment of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S, together with a side-by-side comparability with Nikon’s two different 35mm mirrorless lenses: the 35mm f/1.8 S and the 35mm f/1.4.
Why 35mm?
I’ve talked about greater than as soon as on the pages of Images Life that this focal size is one in every of my favorites. I feel that if I had to decide on simply two focal lengths to shoot with, it will be a 500mm and sure, a 35mm. Why do I like this one a lot?
- Pure Subject of View: The 35mm lens provides a perspective that feels excellent. Vast sufficient to incorporate the surroundings, however not so huge that it distorts actuality. To me, it intently mimics how I see the world with each eyes, which makes pictures really feel intimate and trustworthy. Furthermore, it’s nonetheless tight sufficient that, by a comparatively small change in digital camera place, you may get rid of distracting components within the picture.
- Versatility: Have to shoot a avenue scene, an environmental portrait, a panorama, or perhaps a close-up? The 35mm can do all of it. It’s a kind of lenses you may attain for whenever you need to be ready for something. In fact, zooms are much more versatile, however none of them has such a quick most aperture or bokeh this easy.
- Light-weight, Compact and Unobtrusive: Usually, a 35mm prime received’t weigh you down or draw undesirable consideration. At the moment’s 35mm f/1.2 is an exception. However most 35mm lenses mix in together with your digital camera. They make you look much less like an expert photographer and extra prone to disappear into the group. Once more, not true for the 35mm f/1.2.
- Quick Aperture: You’ll hardly discover a lens brighter than f/1.2, particularly with autofocus. 35mm lenses are additionally available at f/1.4, f/1.8, and f/2. Due to this, 35mm primes carry out brilliantly in low gentle and create engaging separation between topic and background.
- Sharp: Because of their easier optical design, 35mm primes normally ship excellent sharpness and picture high quality.
- Cheap: Once more, you may neglect this level with the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2. However most 35mm lenses are cheaper than different focal lengths, apart from 50mm lenses.
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2: Dimension and Weight
Within the earlier part, you in all probability observed that the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S stands out in quite a lot of methods. The place most 35mm lenses are small, this lens is massive. The place most 35mm lenses are low cost, this lens is pricey.
And it’s undoubtedly not unobtrusive. Mount it on a Z9, stroll throughout the Charles Bridge within the coronary heart of Prague, and the crowds will half in awe (or maybe worry?).
However don’t simply take my phrase for it, see for your self within the picture beneath. It is a comparability between the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4, and the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S:
For those who can look previous the worth and the lens’s portly silhouette, you actually received’t be upset. I’ll have extra to say about that later. Nonetheless, dimension and weight aren’t the sturdy factors of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S.
- Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S: 1060 grams, 150 mm size (2.33 kilos, 5.9 inches)
- Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4: 415 grams, 87 mm size (0.91 kilos, 3.5 inches)
- Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S: 370 grams, 86 mm size (0.82 kilos, 3.4 inches)
The 35mm f/1.2 feels lopsided on the smaller Nikon Z cameras, somewhat heavy however not unhealthy on the Nikon Z8, and excellent on the Z9. It’s practically heavy sufficient for me to need a tripod collar, however not fairly.
Construct High quality
There isn’t a lot to say concerning the construct high quality of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S besides that it is rather well-built. The lens doesn’t have any shifting elements externally. There’s a focus ring, a customized ring, an A-M swap, and a operate button. The lens is climate sealed, and the entrance component has a water repellant coating.
Like most Nikon Z lenses, the 35mm f/1.2 S is generally plastic fairly than metallic (with metallic used within the portion of the barrel nearest the lens mount). Solely the 135mm f/1.8 Plena and 58mm f/0.95 Noct characteristic an all-metal construct. When this 35mm f/1.2 lens was rumored, I assumed Nikon would possibly give it a metallic construct and a singular title. (I’d suggest “Latus,” associated to the idea of “huge” in Latin.) However they determined to not add it to the unique Noct/Plena membership. Perhaps Nikon is ready for a 28mm f/1.2 or 24mm f/1.2?
Specs
- Full Title: Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S
- Mount Kind: Nikon Z Mount
- Focal Size: 35mm prime
- Angle of View (Full Body): 63°
- Angle of View (APS-C): 44°
- Most Aperture: f/1.2
- Minimal Aperture: f/16
- Aperture Blades: 11
- Filter Dimension: 82mm
- Lens Components: 17
- Lens Teams: 15
- Particular Components: 3 aspherical, 3 ED glass, 1 aspherical ED
- Fluorine-Coated Entrance Factor: Sure
- Different Lens Coatings: Meso Amorphous, Nano Crystal, ARNEO
- Picture Stabilization: No
- Inside Focusing: Sure
- Management Rings: Focus, customized
- Operate Button: Sure (Fn-1, duplicated as soon as)
- Switches: A-M
- Focus Motor: Twin STM
- Minimal Focus Distance: 30 cm (11.8 inches)
- Most Magnification: 0.2× (1:5)
- Mount Materials: Steel
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 150 x 90 mm (5.9 x 3.5 inches)
- Weight: 1060 g (2.33 lbs)
- MSRP: $2799 (verify present value and gross sales)
Right here is the development of the lens, courtesy of Nikon:
The subsequent web page of this assessment covers the optical traits of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness assessments within the lab. Click on the menu beneath to go to “Optical Efficiency”: