Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S Review – digitalcameras.ie

Introduction

This overview covers all the pieces that that you must know concerning the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, a sophisticated prime lens for Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless Z System. Though the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is comparatively small and minimalist, you possibly can’t choose a e book by its cowl. Beneath the straightforward exterior is a high-performance lens with spectacular construct high quality and optics. In spite of everything, the “S” within the identify of this lens refers to Nikon’s S-Line, which is comprised of lenses constructed to Nikon’s highest requirements.

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S was introduced in August 2018 and, notably, was the primary prime lens out there for the Nikon Z System. (The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S was introduced on the similar time however had a slight delay in transport.) Thus, alongside the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom, the 35mm f/1.8 S is the lens that has been within the baggage of Nikon Z photographers the longest.

Regardless of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S being one of many very first Nikon Z lenses, it continues to supply a formidable steadiness of weight, worth, and optical efficiency by at this time’s strict requirements. Despite the fact that Nikon and third events proceed so as to add extra options yearly, it’s hardly a shock that the Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens has remained so common over time.

The 35mm focal size is famously helpful for journey pictures, avenue pictures, and occasion pictures. This lens’s f/1.8 most aperture additionally makes it an important selection for working handheld in low gentle. In brief, though it could actually’t zoom, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a particularly versatile lens. With its retail worth of $850, nevertheless, it’s not the most affordable possibility you’ll discover – particularly contemplating that its F-mount predecessor, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G ED, offered for $530.

Does the optical high quality of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S justify its considerably greater worth? To reply that query and extra, our group at Images Life examined the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S extensively each within the area and within the lab over the course of a number of years. The consequence is among the most complete hands-on critiques of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S that you just’ll discover on-line. Under, we’ll check out how this lens performs on Nikon Z cameras, focus on its construct high quality and dealing with traits, and examine it head-to-head in opposition to various lenses that you could be be contemplating.

Construct High quality

Just like high-end Nikon F primes, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is constructed very properly, with intensive climate sealing and a tricky plastic shell. Though some photographers favor all-metal lenses for his or her long-term sturdiness, I personally favor plastic over steel for a number of causes.

To begin with, plastic handles significantly better in extraordinarily chilly climate situations, whereas steel will get too chilly to the touch with naked fingers. Second, using plastic considerably reduces the load of lenses, which makes an enormous distinction when touring. Third, powerful plastic absorbs shocks higher should you unintentionally bump it in opposition to arduous surfaces.

In fact, the lens mount of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is product of steel, with a complete of 4 locking ears for a really safe and tight attachment. To forestall mud and different particles from moving into the lens and the digicam, Nikon integrated a rubber gasket on the a part of the mount that touches the digicam. The lens has an internal-focusing design, and there are a complete of six separate rubber rings inside the lens to guard it from the weather.

I’ve used the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S in sizzling, sandy, freezing, and wet climate situations, and I’ve not encountered any issues with its climate sealing. That mentioned, it’s best to needless to say whereas the lens is weather-resistant, it’s not absolutely waterproof, so it’s best to nonetheless make an effort to maintain it dry if attainable.

Just like different Z-series lenses (together with the pro-grade Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S), the filter thread of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is plastic. And as anticipated from a contemporary lens, the entrance part of the lens doesn’t rotate when focusing, which makes it straightforward to make use of such filters as polarizing and variable ND filters.

Talking of filters, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S has a 62mm filter measurement. Should you resolve to additionally buy the wonderful Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S, it is possible for you to to share filters between the 2, as each use equivalent filter measurement. Extra excellent news is that the entrance factor of the lens shouldn’t be recessed too deep, making it straightforward to scrub and keep in dusty environments.

The plastic HB-89 bayonet hood is pretty massive and does an important job defending solar rays from reaching the entrance lens factor. It attaches, locks and unlocks very simply, and if you wish to scale back the footprint of the lens when storing it in your digicam bag, you possibly can connect it in reverse place.

Then we have now the lens’s measurement and weight. At 370 grams (0.82 kilos) and 86 millimeters lengthy (3.4 inches), it’s a little bit on the big aspect for a contemporary 35mm f/1.8 lens. By comparability, the previous-generation Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G weighs 305 grams (0.67 kilos) and measures 71 millimeters lengthy (2.8 inches). Likewise, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro additionally weighs simply 305 grams, and it’s the shortest of all three of those lenses at 63 millimeters / 2.5 inches lengthy.

That’s to not say the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a big and heavy lens by any stretch. Nevertheless, it won’t slot in your jacket pocket in addition to different 35mm f/1.8 lenses might – or particularly a pancake lens just like the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 or the Nikon Z 40mm f/2.

Dealing with

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S has a really sparse design with hardly any dealing with options. There’s an autofocus/handbook focus swap, and there’s the focusing ring. That’s it.

For an S-line lens, that is reasonably disappointing in my view. I want that Nikon had no less than added a customized perform button and a further customizable ring to the lens. It additionally might have benefited from a vibration discount swap (though it might solely management the digicam’s in-body picture stabilization system) and maybe a spotlight limiter swap.

On the brilliant aspect, Nikon determined to go along with a really giant focusing ring, which is nice for dealing with.

Specs

• Full Identify: Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
• Mount Sort: Nikon Z Mount
• Focal Size: 35mm prime
• Angle of View (Full Body): 63°
• Most Aperture: f/1.8
• Minimal Aperture: f/16
• Aperture Blades: 9, rounded
• Filter Dimension: 62mm
• Lens Components: 11
• Lens Teams: 9
• Particular Components: 3 aspherical, 2 ED glass
• Nano Crystal Coating: Sure
• Tremendous Built-in Coating: Sure
• Fluorine Coated Entrance Component: Sure
• Digital Diaphragm: Sure
• Vibration Discount: No
• Inside Focusing: Sure
• Management Rings: One (focus ring)
• Perform Button: None
• Focus Motor: Stepping motor
• Minimal Focus Distance: 25 cm (9.8 inches)
• Most Magnification: 0.19× (1:5.3)
• Mount Materials: Steel
• Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
• Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 86 × 73 mm (3.4 × 2.9 inches)
• Weight: 370 grams (0.82 lbs)
• MSRP: $850
• Lowest Sale Seen: $700 (verify present worth)

Right here is the development of the lens, courtesy of Nikon:

The subsequent web page of this overview covers the optical traits of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness checks within the lab. Click on the menu beneath to go to “Optical Efficiency”: