Nikon’s Long-Awaited 35mm f/1.2 Lens Finally Expected This Week

Nikon users, you’ve been hearing whispers about a pro-grade 35mm lens for years – and it looks like it’s almost here. A Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 lens is rumored to be announced in the next few days​.

A Fast Prime for Nikon Z

For a long time, Nikon’s mirrorless Z-mount system had a gap at the high-end of fast wide-angle lenses. There’s already a 35mm f/1.8 and even a 35mm f/1.4 that came out last year​, but have been waiting for something even brighter and higher-grade. An f/1.2 aperture lets in a lot of light – more than any Nikon 35mm mirrorless lens so far – which is great for night scenes or indoor shots without flash. It also creates a very shallow depth of field, meaning the subject stays sharp while the background turns into smooth, out-of-focus blur.

Nikon initially teased a 35mm f/1.2 on its roadmap years ago. After delivering other lenses (like a 50mm f/1.2 and that recent 35mm f/1.4), the 35mm f/1.2 remained elusive. According to Nikon Rumors, we should see an official announcement around Wednesday.

Keep in mind, lenses like this tend to be big and pricey. Nikon’s f/1.2 lenses are part of its premium S-line, meaning top-notch build and image quality. The upcoming 35mm f/1.2 will likely be no exception. The recently released 35mm f/1.4 weighs under a pound​, but an f/1.2 version will probably be larger and heavier to accommodate that wider glass. You can also expect a high price tag, possibly north of $2,000.

An Ultra-Wide Aperture, Finally

For context, very few camera systems offer a 35mm lens this fast. Canon’s RF mount tops out at 35mm f/1.4. Sony users can get a third-party 35mm f/1.2, but not a Sony-made one. So, Nikon releasing a 35mm f/1.2 would put them in an elite club. It’s a statement that Nikon is catering to professionals and enthusiasts who want the absolute best for low-light shooting and background blur.

There aren’t detailed specs yet – those will come with the official announcement – but you can safely assume this lens will have Nikon’s latest coatings and autofocus tech. It will be an S-line lens, meaning weather-sealed and built for daily use. Nikon’s other S-line primes have excellent optics with minimal distortion and aberration, so you can expect the same high standard here. Bottom line: if you’ve been holding off for that dream 35mm lens, your patience is likely about to pay off.