The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a powerful prime lens with an excellent maximum aperture of f/1.8. This makes it ideal for low-light photography and creating fantastic bokeh effects whilst experimenting with depth of field. It also has an exceptional build quality and is one of the best prime lenses available for the Nikon Z lens mount.
Nikon Z cameras can benefit from a great range of lenses like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. This range of lenses features a stylish design, great features, sharp autofocusing systems, and superb image quality. You could compare these lenses to Canon’s RF lenses for EOS R cameras. In this guide, we look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S in particular and see what it has to offer in terms of features, usability, and design.
Main Features
As an S-series lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S features superior build quality and optics compared to standard Nikon Z lenses. It could be compared to high-quality Canon L-series lenses, for example. The 35mm f/1.8 S has numerous optical features and an advanced lens construction to provide consistent and sharp photos. You can see the main technical specifications below:
- Size: 73.0×86.0mm
- Weight: 370g
- Focal Distance: 35mm
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
- Aperture Range: f/1.8-f/16
- Closest Focusing Distance: 0.25m
- Filter Size: 62mm
- Image Stabilization: Yes
In terms of lens construction, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S features 11 elements in nine groups. This includes two extra-low dispersion elements, three aspherical elements, and various elements with special nano crystal coatings. These combine together to improve light transmission, sharpness, and reduce distortions like chromatic aberration.
The aperture is also made from nine rounded diaphragm blades which allow you to create soft, rounded bokeh effects when working at the large maximum aperture ranges. This lens can also be used with 62mm filters and has a decent closest focusing distance of 0.25m.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S also has an internal rear focusing system and an angle of view for FX cameras of 63 degrees.
Design
This lens looks fantastic and has a high build quality. It has sleek black styling and a large textured grip in the center. This makes it easy to hold underneath to provide additional stability. There is also a small switch to easily change between manual and autofocus.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S also has a knurled control ring. This can be used for various functions. For example, when shooting in autofocus mode, it can be assigned to control the exposure. Alternatively, when shooting in manual focus mode, it can be used as the focusing ring.
To comfortably use this lens outdoors, it also features various external coatings and weather sealings. For example, all the movable parts on the lens barrel are sealed against both dust and water. It is also relatively durable and will last for years.
In terms of portability, the 35mm f/1.8 lens is OK, but not amazing. It weighs 370g, which is not the lightest lens available. However, it is lighter than some other Z lenses such as the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S which weighs 450g. It is also quite bulky so it will add considerable weight to your Nikon Z camera. Overall, we still consider it to be portable and it can be used as a travel lens.
Usability
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a superb lens in terms of usability and quality. It can create fantastic images that are sharp and have great contrast and minimal softening. The 35mm focal distance gives you good flexibility and you can use it for street photography and even portraits.
For low-light photography, this lens is also a brilliant choice. Firstly, its maximum aperture of f/1.8 really helps control depth of field and lighting conditions. Also, its internal focusing system and built-in five-axis image stabilization help you take clear photos without motion blur.
The autofocusing of this lens is an ultra-quiet stepping motor. When using the autofocus system, you will notice virtually no noise, and it is incredibly quick and accurate too. It also works well in low-light and low-contrast situations.
If you want a professional-grade lens to produce superior quality images, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S delivers repeatedly. It is a highly usable lens that would make an excellent choice for your Nikon Z camera.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S vs. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
So how does this fantastic lens compare to other Nikon Z products? Let’s look at a decent Nikon zoom lens that also covers the 35mm focal distance – the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3. This is a good kit lens that is affordable and still provides good quality. You can see a basic comparison below:
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S | Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 | |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 | f/4 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.25m | 0.35m |
| Weight | 370g | 195g |
| Dimensions | 73 x 86mm | 73.5 x 51mm |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
The main differences here are the size and aperture. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S offers greater flexibility for low-light photos and depth of field. With a maximum aperture of f/4 at 24mm, the 24-50mm simply can’t compete in terms of depth control.
However, the 24-50mm is much lighter and smaller than the 35mm. It weighs just 195g and is considerably shorter too. The lighter weight, however, is somewhat due to the reduced build quality and materials used in construction – this is a cheaper lens, with a lesser build quality.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Is a Solid Multi-Use Prime Lens
If you want a high-quality prime lens that can be used for a variety of photography situations, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a top choice. For cameras like the Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z7, it presents an excellent choice for low-light photography and consistently provides exceptional image quality.
