Nikon has just launched the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 lens – its first f/1.4 NIKKOR Z-mount lens. Many shooters will welcome a versatile new wide-angle prime with a bright maximum aperture that promises to deliver outstanding sharpness, beautifully blurred backgrounds and exceptional low-light performance. And many will welcome the comparatively affordable price tag with open arms too.
There are several other good reasons to embrace this new lens. The 35mm focal length is ideal for street photography – some consider it their go-to lens for this purpose – but it’s also versatile enough to capture everything from portraits to landscapes. And with a close minimum focus distance of just 0.27m, this lens will lend itself to great still life photography, floral close-ups and pet shoots as well.
Relatively compact at 86.5mm in length and weighing just 415g, the NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 also boasts dust- and drip-resistant construction, making it the perfect choice for daily walk-around shooters who prefer less bulk to carry with them on their casual outdoor travels.
For those who shoot video, the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 lens is not just lightweight but also optimally balanced, making it ideal for use with gimbals and cages. The wide angle of view lets you span everything from tight closeups to broad establishing shots, with suppressed focus breathing allowing you to maintain a consistent angle of view when pulling focus or tracking a moving subject.
Noticeably absent, however, is the S Line designation you’ll see on some of Nikon’s more premium offerings, including fairly recent additions to the lineup such as the 50mm f/1.2 and 35mm f/1.8 Z-mount primes. And while there may be some conceivable sacrifices in terms of build quality and overall performance as a result, that trade-off no doubt accounts for the more comfortable affordability factor, which will probably tip the balance for certain budget-conscious Nikon Z shooters seeking a cost-effective workhorse prime.
Features:
