Sadly, that doesn’t mean that it is its best.
Also, design is almost too simple, with minimal exterior controls and no official weather-sealing.
Despite its flaws, the Z 35mm f/1.4 lens is on my wishlist.
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
These are true documentary lenses.
Sadly, however, that doesn’t mean the Z 35mm f/1.4 is one ofNikon’s best lenses.
Still, Nikon’s moderately wide fast-aperture prime does a lot of things well.
The only exterior controls are a focus ring and a neat customizable control ring.
Otherwise, we don’t even get a manual / autofocus switch.
What I do like is the form factor of the lens.
We get a minimum focus distance of 0.89ft / 0.27m, which delivers a maximum magnification ratio of 0.18x.
For reference, a ‘true-macro’ lens has a magnification ratio of 1x or more.
That said, the optical quality from the Z 35mm f/1.4 is very good.
There’s the usual vignetting that I would expect from a wide-aperture lens like this.
Check out the series of sample images below, taken at full aperture stops.
Bokeh, however, is a mixed bag.
(I don’t mind the cat’s-eye shape, but some people get very picky about it.)
The big strike for me regarding bokeh is the fringing you get around those bokeh balls.
Also, I don’t use a 35mm f/1.4 lens primarily for its bokeh quality.
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4: sample images
Should you buy the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4?
All in-camera lens corrections were turned off throughout my testing.
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
From left to right: the Nikon F-mount to Z-mount adaptor, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
The Sigma lens for DSLRs need the adaptor to work with a mirrorless camera.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
With the aperture wide open at f/1.4, you don’t see the aperture blades.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Here’s the aperture stopped down to around f/8. The lens has nine aperture blades.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
And finally fully closed to its minimum f/16 aperture. Note the lens has a 62mm thread for filters.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
f/1.4(Image credit: Future)
f/1.8(Image credit: Future)
f/2(Image credit: Future)
f/2.8(Image credit: Future)
f/4(Image credit: Future)
Portrait at f/1.4. Focus is on the money, whereas the same photo with the Sigma was front-focused on the mouth.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
In this closeup the bokeh balls have harsh edges and show moderate fringing(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Here’s the same photo but with the 10-year-old Sigma lens. Bokeh has a buttery finish and no real fringing(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
I don’t think a 35mm lens is great for landscape photography. In this situation, I’d rather a wider lens and to be closer to the point of interest.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
While it’s not a great landscape photography lens, it’s great at picking out details.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
You can get shallow depth of field if your subject is close.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
The pebbles in this photo at f/5. are sharp, even in the corners.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
I switched the aperture to f/1.4 to get your attention the pebbles.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
The 35mm is a perfect storytelling lens.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Again, not my personal choice for landcapes. I’d actually prefer a telephoto lens for this scene, and have the same photo with an 85mm lens that’s better.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Portraits of people among their surrounding as part of the story – that’s where a 35mm lens shines.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
And then here’s the details of the same story of the fisherman in the previous photo.(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
