In summary
The Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2S lens will suit event, documentary, and landscape (especially astronomical) photography. It will also be useful for architectural photography because of its relatively low inherent distortions. Wide-angle lenses with apertures as fast as this are relatively uncommon, which will also give users of this lens distinctive-looking photos and movies.
Differential focusing is more noticeable with faster lenses due to their shallow depth of focus at wide apertures. This lens is also large enough to impress the clients of wedding photographers and fast enough for hand-held use in low light levels, which often occur during such events.
Full review
The release of the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens in early February 2025 extends Nikon’s 35mm prime options to three (f/1.2 S, f/1.4 and f/1.8 S) bringing it into line with the existing choices for the company’s 50mm and 85mm focal lengths. Nikon has developed the S designation to deliver high optical performance and showcase its best technology. This is reflected in the size and price of the lens. Weighing 1060 grams and with an RRP just short of AU$4900, this lens is targeted at professional photographers who require the best low-light capabilities and performance for both stills and video and are prepared to pay for it.
Angled view of the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens without the supplied lens hood and end caps. (Source: Nikon.)
As expected, the optical design of this lens is complex and based upon 17 elements in 15 groups. Among them are three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, one aspherical ED element and three regular aspherical elements, arranged symmetrically in front of and behind the 11-bladed iris diaphragm. Proprietary ARNEO, Nano Crystal and Meso-Amorphous anti-reflection coatings have been applied to suppress internal reflections. The front element of the lens is fluorine coated to resist moisture and dust and make it easy to keep clean.
This diagram shows the positions of the exotic lens elements in the optical deign of the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens. (Source: Nikon.)
The lens is supplied with front and rear caps plus the HB-110 lens hood, CL-C2 lens case. We reviewed this lens on the Nikon Z6III camera, which is reviewed separately.
Who’s it For?
The moderate wide-angle of the 35mm focal length is popular with event and documentary photographers and well suited to landscape (especially astronomical) and architectural photography because of its relatively low inherent distortions. Wide-angle lenses with apertures as fast as this are relatively uncommon, which will also give users of this lens distinctive-looking photos and movies.
Differential focusing is more noticeable with faster lenses due to their shallow depth of focus at wide apertures. This lens is also large enough to impress the clients of wedding photographers and fast enough for hand-held use in low light levels, which often occur during such events.
Nikon currently has three 35mm prime lenses listed on its Australian website, with maximum apertures of f/1.2, f/1.4 and f/1.8. The table below provides a comparison of them.
| Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S | Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 | Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S | |
| Released | February 2025 | June 2024 | August 2018 |
| Listed RRP | $4899 | $1099 | $1449 |
| Dimensions (d x l) | 90 x 150 mm | 74.5 x 86.5 mm | 73 x 86 mm |
| Weight | 1060 grams | 415 grams | 370 grams |
| Optical design | 17 elements in 15 groups | 11 elements in 9 groups | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Exotic elements | 3 ED & 4 aspherical | 2 aspherical | 3 aspherical & 2 ED |
| Diaphragm blades | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| Coatings | Meso-amorphous, Nano Crystal and ARNEO coats + fluorine on front element | Nano Crystal Coat + fluorine on front element | Nano Crystal Coat |
| AF drive | Dual stepping motors | Stepping motor | Stepping motor |
| Minimum focus | 30 cm | 27 cm | 25 cm |
| Maximum magnification | 0.2x | 0.18x | 0.19x |
| Filter size | 82 mm | 62 mm | 62 mm |
| Lens hood supplied | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Optically more complex than the other lenses, the 35mm f/1.2 S lens is more than double their weight, almost twice their length and close to five times more expensive. Yet it’s only half a stop faster than the f/1.4 lens.
However, the 35mm f/1.2 S lens has a few advantages over its much cheaper, more portable siblings. The clickless control ring will be welcomed by videographers, while both stills and video shooters will appreciate the matched pair of function buttons that provide quick access, whether the camera is in portrait or landscape orientation.
Build and Ergonomics
Like other Nikkor S-series lenses, the 35mm f/1.2 S lens is constructed from a combination of durable industrial polyester and magnesium alloy. Extensive weather-resistant sealing, including around the movable sections of the lens barrel allows this lens to be used on location.
This diagram shows the positions of the weather-resistant seals in the lens barrel. (Source: Nikon.)
The front element is approximately 60 mm in diameter and sits within a ribbed plastic ring that extends outwards by approximately 13mm to meet the 82 mm diameter, raised filter thread. There is a bayonet moulding on the outside rim for the supplied HB-110 lens hood.
A 12 mm wide rubber grip ring has been installed 15 mm behind the front rim of the lens. Behind it is a smooth 10 mm wide band that separates the grip from the 55 mm wide focusing ring, which has fine rubber-like ribbing covering most of its surface.
The focusing ring turns through 360 degrees when no power is supplied since focusing is driven from the camera. It can be used to adjust focus manually while the camera’s shutter button is half-pressed.
The lens barrel dips inwards slightly just behind the focusing ring to form a 20 mm wide smooth band that carries the two L-Fn buttons, which can be programmed to adjust one of several selectable functions (assigned via the custom controls settings in the camera). A 5 mm wide control ring encircles the tail end of this band. It, too, is customisable and can be set to adjust functions like aperture control or exposure compensation, again via the camera.
The lens barrel slopes in again for about 13 mm to meet a 20 mm wide smooth band that carries the Nikkor brand name and the 35/1.2 S designation of the lens plus an A/M focus slider switch around the left-hand side. A raised white index dot behind it provides an index mark for aligning the lens when it’s fitted to a camera. A branding stamp on the lower side states the lens was made in Thailand.
The lens mount is solid, chromed metal and there are the usual 11 metal contact points inside it for passing signals between the lens and the camera. The lens is supplied with the LC-82B and LF-N1 front and rear caps, the HB-110 lens hood (which has a locking button and a soft CL-C2 lens case. A manual in PDF format can be downloaded from the Nikon Download Centre.
Performance
The review lens was a good performer in our Imatest tests, which were carried out on a Nikon Z6III camera, which is reviewed separately. Interestingly, for the first time we found our preferred raw file converter, Adobe Camera Raw, less capable of bringing out the best from the raw files taken with the Z6III camera we used for our tests than the bundled converter in Nikon’s NX Studio software – so those are the results we’ve used for this review.
The measured JPEG resolution in the centre of the frame came close to expectation for the camera’s 24-megapixel sensor across all aperture settings from f/1.2 to f/11 and comfortably exceeded expectations between f/3.2 and f/4.5. Measurements made mid-way across the frame fell only a little short of expectations, but there was some loss of resolution towards the edges of the frame. The graph below shows the results of our Imatest tests.
As usual, to escape the influence of in-camera processing of JPEGs, our assessments of vignetting and rectilinear distortion had to be carried out on raw files, which were converted into TIFF format with all optical adjustments disabled. Some vignetting could be seen at f/1.2 but it had largely vanished by f/1.8. The review lens appeared to be almost distortion-free, with no obvious barrel or pincushion distortion evident in either JPEGs or raw files.
Autofocusing was reasonably fast and accurate in bright conditions, as well as virtually noise-free, which augurs well for its use by videographers. However, we experienced quite a lot of hunting in low light levels, especially when contrast in the selected AF area was low, suggesting the selection of the most appropriate AF mode and the focusing area and its placement will be important for success in these conditions.
The minimum focusing distance of 30 cm isn’t particularly useful for ‘macro’ work although it allows this lens to be used for photographing medium-sized flowers or large insects. Bokeh at wide aperture settings was variable. It could be quite attractive with the widest apertures in low-contrast areas, with relatively smooth transitions and minimal outlining – although this outlining became more obvious as the lens aperture was stopped down.
However, when there were bright background highlights, outlining was common and the brightest areas showed the ‘onion skin’ effect with multiple overlapping circles, as shown in the close-up of the hibiscus flower in the Samples section. Low contrast zones in the same image were also somewhat fuzzy, rather than soft and smooth. Backlit scenes were handled well and we found very little in the way of coloured fringing or flare artefacts. Stopping the lens down to f/16 produced 22-pointed sunstars around direct light sources within the frame.
Conclusion
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SPECS
Picture angle: FX format: 63 degrees DX format: 44 degrees
Minimum aperture: f/16
Lens construction: 17 elements in 15 groups (3 ED elements, 1 aspherical ED element, 3 aspherical elements plus meso-amorphous, Nano Crystal, and ARNEO coatings
Lens mounts: Nikon Z mount
Diaphragm Blades: 11 ( rounded aperture)
Weather resistance: Dust- and moisture-resistant sealing
Focus drive: Internal, with dual stepping motors
Stabilisation: No (can use camera sensor IS system)
Minimum focus: 30 cm
Maximum magnification: 0.2x
Filter size: 82 mm
Dimensions (Diameter x L): 90 x 150 mm
Weight: 1060 grams
Standard Accessories: LC-82B Lens Cap (front cap), LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap), HB-110 Lens Hood, CL-C2 Lens Case
Distributor: Nikon Australia
TESTS
Based on JPEG files taken with the Nikon Z6III camera.
Based on NEF.RAW files converted into 16-bit TIFF format with NX Studio.
SAMPLES
Vignetting at f/2.
Rectilinear distortion.
Close-up at f/1.2; 1/5000 second, ISO 100.
Close-up at f/2.8; 1/1000 second, ISO 100.
Bokeh in close-up at f/1.2; 1/250 second, ISO 100.
ISO 100, 1/160 second at f/10.
ISO 400, 1/500 second at f/9.
ISO 200, 1/80 second at f/8.
ISO 200, 1/160 second at f/6.3.
ISO 100, 1/320 second at f/7.1.
ISO 200, 1/100 second at f/5.
ISO 100, 1/100 second at f/9.
Crop from the above image enlarged to 100% to reveal possible coloured fringing.
Backlighting, ISO 100, 1/125 second at f/11. (JPEG file)
ISO 100, 1/40 second at f/6.3.
ISO 100, 1/40 second at f/5.
Sunstars; ISO 200, 1/100 second at f/16.
Additional image samples can be found with our review of the Nikon Z6III camera.
Rating
RRP: AU$4899
- Build: 9.0
- Handling: 8.8
- Image quality: 8.9
- Autofocusing: 8.8
- Versatility: 8.6
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