Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 Lens (Nikon Z) Review
Nikon's 35mm f/1.4 Z lens delivers beautiful blur and is easy to carry, but its high price and lack of weather sealing are hard to justify next to cheaper competitors.
Overview
Nikon's new Z 35mm f/1.4 is a fast, lightweight prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It's built to be a great walkaround lens for street and portrait work, with that classic 35mm field of view and a super bright f/1.4 aperture.
At just over 400 grams, it's easy to carry all day. The STM autofocus motor is designed to be quiet and smooth, which is nice for video. But it's missing some features you might expect at this price, like weather sealing or image stabilization.
Performance
The f/1.4 aperture is the star here. It lands in the 88th percentile for bokeh, so you get really nice, soft background blur for portraits. Optical quality is solid, sitting in the 68th percentile. But the autofocus is just average, ranking in the 48th percentile. It's not slow, but don't expect lightning-fast tracking for sports. The minimum focus distance of about 10.6 inches is okay, but it's not a macro lens by any stretch.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic f/1.4 aperture for great low-light shots and blur. 91th
- Lightweight and compact for a fast prime lens. 89th
- Quiet STM autofocus is good for video work. 87th
- Solid build quality feels good in the hand. 86th
Cons
- No image stabilization, which hurts for handheld video.
- Not weather-sealed, so you have to be careful in bad conditions.
- Autofocus performance is just middle-of-the-pack.
- Not very versatile, scoring low for travel use.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 270 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.5 |
Value & Pricing
At around $577, this lens isn't cheap. You're paying a premium for the Nikon name and that f/1.4 aperture. For the price, the lack of weather sealing and stabilization is a real bummer. It's a good lens, but you need to really want that specific Nikon 35mm f/1.4 look to justify the cost over some third-party options.
Price History
vs Competition
Look at the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Z first. It's way cheaper, has similar optical performance, and actually has weather sealing. You lose a tiny bit of light with f/1.7, but you save a lot of cash. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is another option if you prefer a tighter portrait focal length, and it's also stabilized. This Nikon lens feels like it's competing on brand loyalty more than pure features for the price.
| Spec | Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 Lens (Nikon Z) | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Canon Canon - RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM Standard Zoom Lens | Panasonic Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II | Viltrox VILTROX 23mm F1.4 Auto Focus APS-C Frame Lens for | Fujifilm VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 55mm | 28-70mm | 14-140mm | 23mm | 25mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 414 | 281 | 499 | 27 | 499 | 400 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | — | STM | STM |
| Lens Type | Prime | — | Standard Zoom | Telephoto | — | — |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a Nikon Z shooter who absolutely needs a native 35mm f/1.4 and doesn't care about weather sealing. It's a great portrait and street lens. But for most people, the value just isn't there. A third-party lens like the Viltrox will get you 95% of the way there for a lot less money, and with better sealing.