Why This 35mm Lens Might Be Nikon’s Best Prime Yet

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S is a rare mix of technical precision and artistic flexibility. A fast prime at this focal length gives you control over depth of field without sacrificing sharpness, making it a strong tool for portraits, environmental shots, and video work. 

Coming to you from Evan Ranft, this detailed video breaks down the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S in a way that shows why it stands apart. Ranft notes that even wide open, images remain tack sharp in the center, with no obvious drop in quality compared to f/2, which is unusual for a lens this fast. The bokeh is smooth and the color rendering feels natural, which makes editing easier and more predictable. He compares it against Sigma’s 35mm f/1.2 and finds Nikon’s rendering far more pleasing, both in stills and video.

The f/1.2 aperture at 35mm offers depth control without veering into unusable thin focus, which Ranft puts to use in both stills and an Instagram reel. This focal length works for almost anything, such as tight portraits, wide environmental scenes, and product shots, without forcing lens changes. In his hands, the lens handled a quick variety shoot with ease, even in JPEG-only mode due to a camera mishap. He points out that sharpness rivals Nikon’s 135mm f/1.8, a lens known for optical excellence.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Aperture: Maximum f/1.2, Minimum f/16

• Lens Mount: Nikon Z

• Minimum Focus Distance: 11.8" / 30 cm

• Magnification: 0.2x (1:5 macro reproduction ratio)

• Optical Design: 17 elements in 15 groups

• Aperture/Iris Blades: 11, rounded

• Focus Type: Autofocus

• Image Stabilization: None

• Filter Size: 82 mm (front)

• Dimensions: ø 3.5 x L 5.9" / ø 90 x L 150 mm

• Weight: 2.3 lbs / 1,060 g

Ranft doesn’t gloss over the drawbacks. At $3,000, it’s a serious investment, which may explain why the lens hasn’t been a dominant topic in gear discussions. The size and weight are also significant (comparable to the 135mm f/1.8) which could make it less appealing if you favor lightweight setups for everyday shooting. For him, that bulk is a dealbreaker for current work, though he’s clear it doesn’t diminish the lens’ performance. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Ranft.