Introduction
Not too wide, not too narrow – just right. I am talking about 35 mm lens, a classic (and more) for documentary and street photography. Today, I am here to review any 35 mm lens, rather Nikon has the most extreme 35 mm ever: Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.2S.
This ultra-bright lens is included in Nikon Z 50 mm F/1.2 and 85 mm F/1.2, which is the third autofocus F/1.2 lens that Nicon has ever made. It is heavy (1060 grams) and expensive ($ 2800), and it has a 17-element, 15-group optical design in many bells and whistles of Nikon.
I have taken this lens around Prague, while Spencer has tested another copy in the photography life lab. Today, I would like to review your complete review of Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.2S, which includes a side-by-side comparison with two other 35 mm mirrorless lens of Nikon: 35 mm f/1.8S and 35 mm f/1.4.
Why 35 mm?
I have mentioned more than once on the pages of photography life that this focal length is one of my favorite. I think if I had to choose only two focal lengths to shoot, it would be a 500 mm and yes, a 35 mm. Why do I like it so much?
- Natural Area View: The 35 mm lens provides a perspective that seems correct. The environment is enough to include, but not so broad that it distorts reality. For me, it closely imitates how I look at the world with both eyes, which makes images feel intimate and honest. In addition, it is still quite tight that, with relatively small changes in the camera position, you can eliminate the elements distracted in the image.
- Versatility: Need to shoot a road view, an environmental image, a landscape, or even a close-up? 35 mm can do all this. This is one of those lenses when you want to be ready for anything. Of course, zooms are even more versatile, but none of them have so fast maximum aperture or bokeh with this smooth.
- Lightweight, Compact and Vineet: Generally, a 35 mm Prime will not weigh you or will not attract unwanted attention. Today’s 35 mm f/1.2 is an exception. But most 35 mm lenses mix with your camera. They make you look less like a professional photographer and more likely to disappear in more crowds. Then, not true for 35 mm f/1.2.
- Rapid aperture: You will rarely find a lens brighter than f/1.2, especially with autofocus. 35 mm lenses are also easily available at F/1.4, F/1.8, and F/2. Because of this, 35 mm primes perform brilliantly in low light and create attractive isolation between subject and background.
- Spicy: Thanks to their simple optical design, 35 mm prime usually offers very good sharpness and image quality.
- Cheap: Then, you can forget this point with Nikon Z 35 mm f/1.2. But most of the 35 mm lenses are cheaper than other focal lengths except 50 mm lens.
Nikon z 35 mm f/1.2: size and weight
In the previous section, you probably saw that Nikon Z 35 mm f/1.2 S stands more in some ways. Where most 35 mm lenses are small, this lens is large. Where most 35 mm lenses are cheap, this lens is expensive.
And it is definitely not disinterested. Mount it on a Z9, walk on the Charles Bridge in the heart of Prague, and the crowd will participate in the fear (or perhaps fear?).
But do not just take my word for this, see for yourself in the image below. This is a comparison between nikon z 35 mm f/1.2 s, nikon z 35mm f/1.4, and nikon z 35 mm f/1.8 s:
If you can see the price and the portly silhouette of the lens, you will definitely not be disappointed. I will have much more to say about that later. However, size and weight Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.2S are not strong points.
- Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.2S: 1060 grams, 150 mm length (2.33 pounds, 5.9 inches)
- Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.4: 415 grams, 87 mm length (0.91 pounds, 3.5 inch)
- Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.8S: 370 grams, 86 mm length (0.82 pounds, 3.4 in)
35 mm f/1.2 feels loped on small nicon z cameras, which is slightly heavy but not bad on Nikon Z8, and correct on Z9. It is almost heavy for me that I want a tripod collar, but not enough.
build quality
There is not much to say about the quality of construction of Nikon Z 35 mm f/1.2 S, except that it is very well created. The lens has no moving part externally. There is a focus ring, a custom ring, an AM switch and a function button. The lens weather is sealed, and the front element has a water repellent coating.
Most like Nikon Z lens, 35 mm f/1.2S is mostly plastic instead of metal (with metal used in the part of the nearest barrel of the lens mount). Only 135 mm f/1.8 is plana and 58 mm f/0.95 NOCT is an all-metal build. When it was a rumor of 35 mm f/1.2 lens, I felt that Nikon could make it a metal building and give it a unique name. (I would propose “Latus” related to the concept of “wide” in Latin.) But he did not decide to add it to the exclusive NOCT/Plana Club. Perhaps Nikon is waiting for 28 mm f/1.2 or 24 mm f/1.2?
Specifications
- Full Name: Nikon Z 35 mm F/1.2S
- Mount Type: Nikon Z Mount
- Focal Length: 35 mm Prime
- Angle view (full frame): 63 °
- Angle view (APS-C): 44 °
- Maximum aperture: f/1.2
- Minimum aperture: F/16
- Aperture Blade: 11
- Filter size: 82 mm
- Lens element: 17
- Lens Group: 15
- Special Elements: 3 Espherical, 3 Ed Glass, 1 ESFERACE Ed
- Fluorine-coated front element: yes
- Other lens coatings: Meso Anakar, Nano Crystal, Arneo
- Image Stabilization: No
- Internal focus: yes
- Control rings: focus, custom
- Function button: Yes (FN-1, once duplicate)
- Switch: M
- Focus Motor: Dual STM
- Minimum focus distance: 30 cm (11.8 in)
- Maximum magnification: 0.2 × (1: 5)
- Mount Material: Metal
- Weather/Dust Ceiling: Yes
- Dimensions (length × diameter): 150 x 90 mm (5.9 x 3.5 in)
- Weight: 1060 grams (2.33 pounds)
- MSRP: $ 2799 (Check current price and sales,
Here is the construction of lenses courtesy Nikon:
The next page of this review incorporates optical characteristics of Nikon Z 35 mm f/1.2S, including the laboratory focus on performance and acuity tests. Click on the menu below to go to “optical display”:
