Verdict
Nikon’s third prime lens for their Z system with a bright f1.2 focal ratio has a lot going for it: It collects over one stop more light than their Z 35mm f1.8 S and is still half a stop faster than the Z 35mm f1.4. It has a nice Bokeh (with occasional double contours), very good optics with very little colour aberrations, zero focus breathing and very little flare, ghosting, or veiling glare. The lens can also be used with good results for close-up shots – when you can live with the short working distances. And it’s hardened well against the elements, has two extra L-Fn function buttons, and a dedicated focus ring in addition to the usual multi-function ring.
The down-sides of this lens? Mount the lens hood (as you should) and the lens is very large and at over 1.1kg / 2.6lb pretty heavy. Optically light fall-off is pretty strong and the fluorine coating against moist and dust is missing. And did I mention that the lens pouch is a bit of a disappointment – especially considering the not insubstantial asking price for the lens of 3249 EUR / 2797 USD / 2899 GBP?
Let’s have a closer look at how the Z 35mm f1.2 S compares to some alternatives.
Above: Voigtländer 35mm f2 APO Lanthar (left), Nikon Z 35mm f1.2 S (right)
Compared to Nikon Z 35mm f1.4
The Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 is much smaller than its f1.2 brethren and also much lighter on your neck and your wallet. But its optical performance is also behind its more expansive alternative: It produces softer images, contrast at f1.4 and f2.0 especially outside the center is low, colour aberrations and coma are not well controlled until you stop the lens down to f2.8, close-up shots suffer from a rapid drop in resolution and contrast outside the center, and the lens shows strong field curvature at distances below 3m. But the Z 35mm f1.4 produces quite a pleasing Bokeh – and did I mention it costs less than a quarter of the Z 35mm f1.2 S? This makes the Z 35mm f1.4 a good alternative if you can live with its deficiencies, are on a tight budget, or don’t absolutely need a focal ratio of f1.2.
For more details see my Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 review where it came Recommended.
Compared to Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S
The Nikon Z35mm f1.8 S gathers a bit over 1EV less light than the Z 35mm f1.2 S. Its smaller focal ratio also limits background isolation and Bokeh quality but on the other hand allows the lens to be much smaller, lighter and less expensive. Resolution and contrast is almost up there with its f1.2 brethren with good close-up performance and pretty well controlled flare, glare, and ghosting. Only its relatively strong loCA can be distracting. Regarding features: The Z 35mm f1.8 S may miss out on the dedicated focus ring or the AF-Lock buttons of its bigger sibling but it is also fully weather-sealed, focuses much faster and is much cheaper than the Z 35mm f1.2 S. This makes the Z 35mm f1.8 S a viable alternative – if you can live with the consequences of the one stop less light gathering power and Bokeh quality.
For more details see my Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S review where it came Recommended.
Compared to Nikon Z 50mm f1.2 S
Why list a 50mm lens as an alternative to a 35mm lens? Well: If your budget allows you to get only one of the shorter f1.2 Z-Nikkors there is a choice to make. 50mm focal length gets you 43% more reach/magnification over 35mm while limiting your angle-of-view to 47 degrees vs. 63 degrees of the mild wide-angle. At 5m distance this makes a difference in field-of-view of 3.6×2.4m vs. 5.1×3.4m. You would need to step back 2m to 7m distance with the 50mm lens to capture the same field-of-view – which might not always be possible or desirable. But 43% reach/magnification of the 50mm lens also means 43% bigger Bokeh balls and better background isolation: The Z 50mm f1.2 S clearly produces the nicer Bokeh than its 35mm brethren – even at identical magnification. And as price, size, weight and optical performance of both lenses is pretty close it boils down to what you prefer/need for your photographic task: Better Bokeh and longer reach or wider angle-of-view and more immersive perspective. Decisions, decisions…
For more details see my Nikon Z 50mm f1.2 S review where it came Highly Recommended.
Compared to Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN Art
The Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN Art is not available in Z-mount but some might try it on an E-to-Z adapter. Optical performance of the Sigma is pretty close to the Nikon Z 35mm f1.2 S: Sharpness of the Sigma is comparable, colour aberrations a bit higher, coma is very low (a boon for astro-photography), and Bokeh just a tad harsher. Weight is comparable but the Sigma has a slightly shorter body which is almost made up for by the longer lens hood. With a price around half of the Z 35mm f1.2 S the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN Art might well be an interesting alternative – if you are willing to trust an E-to-Z adapter with regard to focus speed and quality. Try at your own risk!
For more details see my Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN Art review where it came Highly Recommended.
Nikon Z 35mm f1.2 S final verdict
The Nikon Z 35mm f1.2 S is a good addition to Nikon’s line of f1.2 Z-Nikkors with comparable price, size, and weight and – more importantly – optical performance. It may not have the same Bokeh quality as the Z 50mm f1.2S or the excellent Z 85mm f1.2 S but it is still optically the best 35mm lens in native Z-mount. You can get great results at every shooting distance at f1.2 already but stopping the lens down to f1.4 or f2.0 further increases acuity and contrast to excellent levels. The Z 35mm f1.2 S has a reliable but somewhat slow autofocus, is hardened well against the elements, and has two extra L-Fn function buttons plus a dedicated focus ring. If only the lens were not so large, heavy, and expensive. But all-in-all the Nikon Z 35mm f1.2 S earns a Highly Recommended.
Good points:
- Very good Bokeh – with occasional double contours.
- Very good resolution and contrast with a bit of softness in the FX-corner up to f2.0.
- Color aberrations and coma well controlled.
- Minimal distortions (through lens profile).
- Flare, glare, and ghosting very well controlled.
- No focus breathing.
- Very usable close-up performance – albeit at short working distances.
- Extensive weather sealing, dedicated focus ring, two L-Fn function button.
Bad points:
- Large and heavy lens.
- Very expensive.
- Strong light fall-off at f1.2.
- No fluorine coating against moist and dust.
- Audible focus noise.
- Flimsy lens pouch.
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