Introduction
The Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct was one of the first lenses announced for the Nikon Z system in October 2019. It’s an optical marvel and a shock that it even exists. The lens costs $8000, weighs 2000 grams (4.4 pounds), and does not support autofocus. Although on some level it is simply a statement – it shows what Nikon is capable of in modern lens design – it also stands out as a unique product on the market that offers something to highly specialized photographers. Although I don’t believe the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct will appeal to a wide audience (hence this being one of the last Nikon Z lenses to receive a review from Photography Life), the narrow range of photographers in the target audience will definitely love this lens. Drooling over it.
Nikon’s “Noct” terminology has a long history. The original Noct-Nikkor lens was a 58 mm f/1.2 AI lens released by Nikon in 1977, followed by an AI-S version in 1981. Today, it commands very high prices on the used market and has practically become a collector’s item. , ,We reviewed it earlier And found that it holds up very well in many ways, even 40 years later.)
Although the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct shares the name with this older optic, the two lenses are very different. The new f/0.95 lens weighs four times as much as the previous f/1.2 version, and the maximum aperture of f/0.95 captures about half a stop more light. Both are manual focus, all-metal lenses, but the new 58mm f/0.95 Noct has been designed with computer-assisted precision for maximum image quality at the expense of all other considerations. Then again, I’m still surprised this lens exists. I feel like this is the kind of thing that might go down in history, and as soon as Nikon discontinues it, its value will soar.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. How does the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct perform? Is this a viable professional optic, or does the weight and price make it a mere statement piece? In this insightful review, I’ll answer those questions and more!
build quality
The Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct is one of the most impressively built lenses I’ve ever used. It is made entirely of metal, including the focusing ring, and feels extremely sturdy. In today’s world, first-party manufacturers have mostly switched from metal to plastic, making the 58mm f/1.2 Noct look a little dated. (Interestingly, Nikon’s other “eponymous” mirrorless lens, the 135mm f/1.8 Plena, also sports a similar all-metal construction.)
However, where size and weight are concerned, it is one of the heaviest non-telephoto lenses on the market. At 2000 grams (4.4 pounds), this is not a lens for minimalist photography. It doesn’t weigh that much due to its metal construction – that would be the glass’s fault – but the metal does contribute to the distinct feeling of density when holding the Noct.
Interestingly, the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct is not an internally focusing lens. It has an internal barrel that extends slightly when focusing more closely, which is rare for any prime lens these days, let alone such a high-end optic. I believe this goes back to Nikon’s ultimate goal with this lens: image quality and brightness at all costs. This journey into optical bliss took Nikon through some big changes in price, weight and size – and even focused the lens externally.
Where build quality is concerned, the last thing I would mention is one small potential flaw. Since Nikon went with a black finish on the metal, it’s possible for the paint to thin or scratch over time, causing the silver underneath to show. If you are bringing multiple metal lenses at one time, make sure they are completely secured in your bag, otherwise the risk of damaging each other’s paint may be high.
handling
The Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct handles like butter. And thank god for that, considering you need to manually focus this lens instead of relying on autofocus. The large manual focus ring rotates almost a full 360 degrees, giving great control over where you place your plane of focus. This is the best manual focus ring I remember using.
As for other handling features, such as the manual focus lens, some minimalism is not a problem. No AF-MF switch or focus limiter! But Nikon still put a lens function button on the Noct, as well as an EL display that can be customized to show things like your aperture and focusing distance. Nikon has shied away from adding an EL display to its high-end glass until recently – and the Noct already sports engraved focus distance – but I think it’s there if you need it.
It also has a tripod foot – unusual for a lens of this focal length, but logical for a piece of glass that weighs a full two kilograms / 4.4 pounds. Like all Nikon lenses, it is not Arca-Swiss compatible, so most photographers will want to replace the tripod foot or keep a plate on it at all times.
One final comment about the handling of the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct is that the lens hood (also metal) hides the external focusing design of the lens! Definitely a nice benefit. That said, the hood of this lens is a bit unusual in design, screwing into place rather than clicking into a groove. The result is that it takes a little longer to assemble or disassemble. But given the various benefits of a lens hood, I would prefer to keep it on all the time. The small extra weight probably won’t bother you, given that the lens still takes up a lot of space either way.
Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct Specifications
- Full Name:Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
- Mount Type:Nikon Z Mount
- Focal Length: 58mm Prime
- Angle of View (DX): 27°20′
- Angle of View (FX): 40°50′
- Maximum aperture: f/0.95
- Minimum aperture: f/16
- Aperture Blade: 11 (Round)
- Filter Size: 82mm
- Lens elements: 17
- Lens group: 10
- Special Elements: 3 Aspherical, 4 ED Glass
- Arneo Coating: Yes
- Nano Crystal Coating: Yes
- Super Integrated Coating: Yes
- Fluorine coated front element: Yes
- Electronic diaphragm: yes
- Vibration Reduction: No
- Internal Focusing: No
- Control Ring: Manual Focus and Custom
- Function button: one
- Focus Motor: N/A
- Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m (1.6 ft)
- Maximum Magnification: 0.19× (1:5.3)
- Mount Material: Metal
- Weather/Dust Sealing: Yes
- Dimensions (length × diameter): 153 × 102 mm (6.0 × 4.0 in)
- Weight: 2000 grams (4.4 pounds)
- MSRP: $8000
- Lowest sale seen: $8000 (check current price,
Here’s the lens build, courtesy of Nikon:
The next page of this review covers the optical specifications of the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct, including sharpness testing in the lab and extensive examples of Bokeh. So, click on the menu below to go to “Optical Display”:
