While many Nikon shooters have been screaming out for faster glass, it appears Nikon’s putting them on hold. The company’s 35mm f/1.8 S line lens for Z mount ($696.95) has always been a tad on the expensive side. Pro shooters wanted faster, and hobbyists & enthusiasts wanted cheaper.
There could be only one winner, and right now, it seems to be the hobbyists and enthusiasts. They’ve got cheaper and faster. Nikon has today announced the new Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 (buy here). And it’s actually cheaper than the 35mm f/1.8.
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 – A good balance
The Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 doesn’t fully satisfy either of the two camps mentioned above. Some wanted it faster, while others wanted it cheaper. And this is a compromise that definitely won’t satisfy some but will fit the needs of quite a few.
It’s not one of Nikon’s S line lenses. So, the optics won’t be quite as good as you might have come to expect. This alone will rule it out for some professionals, but not all of them. It’s not quite as inexpensive as many hobbyists might have been hoping for, either.
But, it is still much less expensive than the $850 launch price of the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens. And it opens up the aperture 2/3rds of a stop past f/1.8. So, it’ll be a win-win for a lot of people. It will be interesting to see how many people once the sales figures start to come out.
It should work quite well as a walkabout and street photography lens on the newly announced Nikon Z6 III ($1,596.95).
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 Specs
Focal Length35mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Minimum Aperturef/16
Lens MountNikon Z
Format CompatibilityFull-Frame (FX)
Angle of View63° (44° on DX)
Minimum Focus Distance27cm
Maximum Magnification0.18x
Optical Design11 Elements in 9Groups
Diaphragm Blades9, Rounded
Focus TypeAutofocus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size62 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)75 x 87mm
Weight415g
Price and Availability
The Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 lens is available to pre-order now for $599.95. Shipping begins mid-July.
