Nikon has just announced a new high-end prime lens for Z-mount mirrorless cameras: the NIKKOR 35mm F/1.2 S. This lens covers full-frame image sensors and has a stunning maximum aperture of F/1.2, which should provide incredible bokeh and also work well in low-light shooting environments. So, let’s take a closer look at it!
Following their plan to introduce more than 50 lenses by the end of this year, Nikon has just announced the NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.2 S. This is already the third 35mm prime lens available for Nikon Z-mount cameras. Indeed, the company already launched the NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.8 S and the NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.4 last year. However, this is the fastest 35mm prime lens available for Nikon Z-mount cameras and wraps up the trio of F/1.2 lenses following the NIKKOR Z 50mm F/1.2 S and NIKKOR Z 85mm F/1.2 S.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.2 S – features
As its name suggests, the NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.2 S is an S-line lens. According to the company, the S-line is Nikon’s premium lineup of lenses, featuring the “best optics, most advanced coatings, cutting-edge technology, and premium build. ” This lens is designed to endure the most challenging shooting conditions, and it features extensive weather sealing to protect your lens and camera from dust, dirt, and moisture.
With dimensions of 90 x 150mm/3.5 x 5.9″ and a weight of 1.06kg/2.3 lbs, this 35mm prime lens is not your everyday street photography lens. However, to reach a maximum F/1.2 aperture and cover full-frame image sensors, you have to put a lot of lens elements in there. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
On the lens, you’ll find an auto/manual focus switch and a large manual focus ring. You can customize the focus ring and set it to either rotation direction, linear or non-linear. You’ll benefit from Nikon’s Multi-Focus System in autofocus mode, which consists of two STM autofocus motors for fast and accurate AF performances. According to Nikon, you can “change the focus position without any shift in the angle of view, thanks to highly suppressed focus breathing.”
Lastly, the lens has a clickless control ring that can be assigned to adjust the aperture/ISO/shutter speed settings on the fly. It also has two customizable L-Fn buttons.
Lens design
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.2 S lens design consists of 17 elements in 15 groups, including three ED glass and three aspherical elements, to reduce chromatic aberrations and correct distortion.
Similarly to every S-line Nikon lens, this lens’s internal elements feature a Nano-Crystal coating to eliminate internal reflections and cross-lighting. In terms of coatings, most of the elements benefit from a meso-amorphous coating, Super-Integrated coating, and ARNEO treatment to improve color rendering and eliminate internal reflections.
The aperture diaphragm features no less than eleven rounded blades, the minimum focusing distance is 30cm/11.8″, and the front filter thread is 82mm.
Pricing and availability
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.2 S is available for preorder now and should start shipping by the end of this month for $2,796.95.
For more information, please visit Nikon’s website here.
What do you think about this third Nikon 35mm prime lens? Was it the 35mm you were waiting for? Do you often need to shoot at F/1.2? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!
