The right 35mm lens can elevate your photography by blending wide angle versatility with striking depth-of-field control. Here's a look at Nikon's best.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this thorough video evaluates the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens, breaking down exactly what it brings to the table for photographers who demand premium results. Frost quickly addresses the elephant in the room—the price tag. At nearly $2,800, this lens sets expectations incredibly high, promising extraordinary image quality in return. He immediately puts it through practical testing, examining sharpness, contrast, and color accuracy at various apertures. At its widest aperture, f/1.2, he finds impressive clarity and detail, even at the corners—a difficult feat for such fast glass. Stopping down slightly sharpens everything further, transitioning excellent images into near-perfect territory by f/2.8 and f/4.
Frost also discusses usability factors beyond sheer optical performance, such as build quality and ergonomics. The lens is undeniably hefty, weighing just over a kilogram due to its 17-element construction, so consider carefully if portability is a priority for you. Despite the weight, the lens balances well on most Nikon Z cameras, although compact models like the Nikon Z fc might feel front-heavy. He notes some practical drawbacks: the customizable control ring is easily bumped unintentionally, prompting him to disable it during shooting. Yet, its manual focus ring operates precisely, and autofocus performance is reliable, quiet, and accurate—though not blazing fast.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
- Autofocus: Yes
- Image Stabilization: No
- Minimum Focus Distance: 11.8" (30 cm)
- Optical Design: 17 Elements in 15 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
- Filter Size: 82 mm
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.9" (90 x 150 mm)
- Weight: 2.3 lb (1060 g)
Beyond sheer sharpness, Frost assesses lens imperfections. He identifies notable vignetting at wider apertures, which requires correction if you aim for evenly exposed images. Close-up performance at the minimum focus distance reveals some color fringing at f/1.2, though this clears up completely by f/2. Performance against direct light is average—there's visible flare and contrast loss, manageable but not exceptional. Conversely, background blur (bokeh) impresses consistently, delivering smooth, creamy results that many portrait and street photographers will appreciate.
What stands out most is the lens's striking blend of dramatic background separation and wide-angle versatility. Whether capturing urban landscapes or portraits, the lens excels at isolating subjects from busy backgrounds, making it ideal for creating images with emotional impact. Frost clearly appreciates these results, suggesting the lens's value—high as it is—is justified if your priority is outstanding image quality. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
