How Much Lens Does $8,000 Get You?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is anything but cheap, but it is also one of the most impressive lens designs out there. So, what does all that money get you? This great video review takes a look at what the 58mm f/0.95 can offer you.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this excellent video review takes a look at the crazy Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens. At $8,000, the 58mm f/0.95 is ludicrously expensive, but with it, you get some of the most impressive optical design available today, with features including: 

  • Four extra-low dispersion elements for reduced chromatic aberrations and increased clarity
  • Three aspherical elements (including one large-diameter ground aspherical element) for reduced spherical aberrations and distortion and increased sharpness 
  • Design optimized for shooting at wide apertures
  • ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats for reduced flares and ghosting and increased contrast
  • Super Integrated Coating for more accurate colors
  • Fluorine coating to reduce dust and moisture buildup 
  • OLED information panel
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Customizable L.Fn button
  • Manual focus only
  • Electromagnetic aperture for great exposure stability during fast bursts
  • 11-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh
  • Rotating tripod collar

Check out the video above for Frost's full thoughts on the lens. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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4 Comments

How _many_ lenseS and which camera - more appropriate question :)

With unlimited budget anyone can make a similar lens. Is $8,000 worth what you get? For most people, no. This is a narcissists lens at best.
Yes, it is very good and will likely become a cult collector's piece in the future.
But for 8K I can get a lot of excellent lenses that in real life you would not be able to tell any difference at all.
But it is an interesting oddity and glad Nikon made it for discussions.

If you can afford it and want it, then get it! This price point is not that unusual...if you're a Leica user for example...$8K is just about right or might even be considered a super deal for a 0.95 lens. For Nikon users or most other mainstream brands, this might be considered a 'high-end' bit of kit. But, as with Leica gear...this lens isn't for everyone. It would be great to have, and I'd like to have a go at it, but I'd also have to ask myself "do you really need it?!"

Greek bokeh :)