Nikon has announced a new wide-angle prime lens for full-frame FX format mirrorless cameras. The NIKKOR Z 35MM F/1.4 lens combines a natural angle of view with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4.
Build
The NIKKOR Z 35mm lens is compact, making it a great “carry everywhere” lens for day-to-day shooting. It’s also lightweight at 14.6 ounces (415 g) and measures only 3.4 inches (86.5 mm) in length. In addition, the 35 mm focal length is close to that of human vision which makes it ideal for capturing a wide range of scenes and subjects. On a crop sensor APS-C camera, the focal length is equivalent to 52 mm. The NIKKOR Z 35mm lens is dust and drip-resistant, with seals throughout its design.
This 35mm lens is constructed with 11 lens elements in 9 groups. These include two aspherical lens elements. The fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 also has an iris with nine blades. Nikon says that the lens delivers beautifully smooth, creamy bokeh in out-of-focus parts of your images. In addition, you can manually adjust the aperture with the clickless control ring. This is essential for adjusting exposure seamlessly while shooting video.
Autofocus
The NIKKOR Z 35mm lens features a stepping motor (STM) which Nikon says delivers fast and quiet autofocus. The lens also has a close focus distance of just 10.6 inches (0.27 meters). This means you can get great close-up shots. In addition, Nikon says that the 35 mm lens has been designed to suppress focus breathing, which makes it ideal for video work. Focus breathing is the change in image size that happens with some lenses when you pull focus.
What we think
If you want to travel light with a single compact prime lens, 35 mm is a very versatile focal length. Nikon’s new NIKKOR Z 35mm lens is a great option due to its compact size and wide maximum aperture. It will be good in low light and give you a very shallow depth of field. The lens will also be easy to balance and so ideal for use with a gimbal. If you are looking for a new walk-around lens with a fast aperture, the NIKKOR Z 35mm should be on your shortlist.
Pricing and availability
The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 lens will be available in mid-July 2024 for a suggested retail price of $599.
