The Nikon Z lineup is looking ever so complete with the addition of a new 35mm F1.4 lens in the stable.
When Nikon teased us with its lens roadmap in October 2023, expectations ran high. We were bracing for a hefty, high-performance 35mm F1.2 lens, something that would sit proudly among Nikon’s pro-grade S-line.
But what we got instead was a bit of a surprise; a Z 35mm F1.4 lens that’s lighter, more compact, and shockingly affordable at around SGD $999.
It’s also Nikon’s first F1.4 lens for the Z-mount, so how does it fare?

Now, fixed 35mm lenses, especially those with a fast aperture, are beloved by photographers for good reason. They’re the Swiss Army knives of lenses; great for low light, capable of capturing crisp images even in high contrast, and versatile enough to include a bit of the surroundings to tell a richer story.
And the Z 35mm F1.4 delivers with sharp image quality across the frame, with fast, quiet, and reliable autofocus. It’s a lens that does many things right, especially when it comes to speed.

The lens’s ability to focus closely is one of its strengths, with a minimum focus distance of 0.27m (0.89ft) and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.18x. It’s not a macro lens by any stretch, but it’s capable enough to capture finer details alongside your main subject.
Quicker, more accurate, and spot-on with eye detection. If speed and reliability are your top priorities, this lens won’t disappoint.
But here’s the catch: optically, it doesn’t quite blow competitors away. The lens shows the same sorts of distortions you’d expect from an older DSLR lens, and the bokeh isn’t as smooth as one might expect.

While decent, the bokeh has a bit of a ‘fuzzy’ quality, with harsher edges and some noticeable fringing around out-of-focus highlights. It’s the kind of thing you might not notice unless you’re really pixel-peeping, but it’s there.
Vignetting is what you’d expect from a wide-aperture lens; noticeable at F1.4, less so at F2, and practically gone by F5.6.

The design of the lens is straightforward. Nikon has added a separate control ring to the focus ring, which is a welcome addition, especially for those who enjoy fine-tuning their settings on the fly.
This ring can even be customised to act as a click-less aperture ring, making it particularly handy for video work.
However, the lack of a manual/autofocus switch is a bit of a bummer for someone who frequently toggles between the two. Having to dig through camera menus (if quick menu buttons aren’t available on your camera) to make this change feels like an unnecessary hassle.

On the upside, the lens is impressively compact and lightweight. Weighing just 415g (14.7oz), it’s a breeze to carry around, especially when paired with Nikon’s mid-range mirrorless models like the new Z6 III.
Here it is attached to my Zf, and it does fit the size profile quite nicely.
Now, about that build quality. While the lens feels solid enough for everyday use, it’s not officially weather-sealed. This could be a deal-breaker for professionals who find themselves in less-than-ideal shooting conditions.
I didn’t encounter any issues during testing, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking this lens on an extended outdoor trip without a bit of hesitation.

So, who is this lens for? If you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable 35mm lens with a fast aperture, the Nikon Z 35mm F1.4 is a solid choice.
It’s a capable, versatile lens that will likely find a place in many photographers’ bags, and it’s particularly appealing for storytellers who want a lens that can handle a variety of scenarios, from portraits to environmental shots.
However, if you’re after the creamiest bokeh or need a weather-sealed lens for rugged conditions, you might want to keep looking.
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