Dear readers,
I plan on doing a comparison of super fast 35mm fullframe lenses (very similar to my comparisons of Super Fast 50mm M-mount lenses and Fast 28mm lenses) and I already gathered the Sigma 35mm 1.2 DG DN Art, Samyang 35mm 1.2 XP, Voigtländer VM 35mm 1.2 Nokton III, Laowa 35mm 0.95 Argus and a new unreleased 35mm 1.2 AF lens.
I would love to include the recently announced Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S in this comparison, that should hit the market on February 26th. Sadly at the moment I don’t have 3.250€ lying around to just buy one (remember: reviewing lenses doesn’t make you rich).
I reached out to Nikon Marketing Germany, but I haven’t heard back from them yet and as I haven’t worked with them before and just a year ago we started doing Nikon reviews on a bigger scale I doubt I will.
So if someone among you (preferably from Germany) has a Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S on preorder it would be great if you would consider sending it to me first for a week, as then I could include it in that comparison, which would be a great service to the community.
I know chances are slim, but I also know we have a great community, so I am taking my chances here.
Just leave a comment to get in contact!
Thanks in advance
Bastian
Latest posts by BastianK (see all)
- Call out to readers: Looking for a Nikon Z 35mm 1.2 S - February 14, 2025
- Analogue Adventures – Part 39: Fujichrome Velvia 100 - February 12, 2025
- Review: Voigtländer VM 90mm 2.0 Apo-Ultron - February 9, 2025
Nothing available in Spain so far regarding the 35mm 1.2 Z.
Btw, very interesting hint: “… and a new unreleased 35mm 1.2 AF lens”. Maybe the new Viltrox lab? If they make something similar in IQ to the 135… this line is a winner.
The Nikon should be available starting February 26th.
I am under NDA for the other lens, but as you follow the rumors, you already got an idea 🙂
Hmmm a Zeiss Otus 35mm 1.2 E I’m gonna guess. Completely out of the blue ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If I had to rank my actual guesses on probability:
Zeiss Otus E/Z/RF :
50mm 1.2
35mm 1.2
85mm 1.4
28mm 1.4
Most likely the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB
Just as an interesting tidbit, and not at all recommending to be included in the upcoming comparison. There are two other super fast FF 35mm photo lenses to my knowledge.
One is Kerlee 35mm f/1.2 a MF lens from a DSLR era made by DZOptics in 2016. I believe this was the first SLR FF 35mm lens that achieved 1.2 aperture. And only second after the voigtlander.
https://www.apogeephoto.com/lens-review-shot-on-film-kerlee-35-mm-f-1-2/
and the other even rarer and more obscure is Zenit Zenitar 35mm f/1.0 for Leica M mount from 2018, sold as a kit lens with a Zenit M camera a weird re-skinned Leica M Typ 240. The fastest 35mm for a Leica M mount. That is apperently still being sold today, sort of.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leicarumors/albums/72157712877553957/
And I would love to know if there are any others I don t know about 🙂
Sadly it is impossible to get that Zenitar lens.
I did try it at Photokina back in the day though and it is a pretty awful lens.
Maybe I can spare you the effort…. The not-yet-available Nikon lens is optically the best, but is far heavier and far more expensive than the others.
For most people other than rich Nikon fanboys with too much money, it‘s just not worth the bother.
I just can’t believe that Nikon will not loan it to you for reviews!
I mean, it wouldn’t surprise me much, since traditionally, they completely ignore the state of things, marketing and shopping wise. Together with realy poor marketing content, that is a big part in their demise for the last several years.
I found your website while contemplating to switch from Nikon dslr to mirrorless, and Sony, decided on Mirror less – Nikon, but still am revisiting your site because the reviews seem detailed, fair, and with a Lot of great photo-examples, especially yours, Bastian.
I really wish the Nikon company will wake up and consider tearing down the walls they put up around their not-on-top-anymore brand.
That said, I am not in the market for this lens, gonna wait for 750euros Viltrox 35 f1.2, which will happen soon, because it is more appropriate to my status as a hobbyist photographer, and price wise.
If you are not in a hurry, perhaps to include that one too?
I’m sure Viltrox will be more open to loan lens for the review.
I’m really excited to see this comparison of fast 35mm lenses! However, I wish you could wait a little longer and include the upcoming Viltrox 35mm f/1.2, which is expected to be announced soon. Thank you!
It seems to me that the Viltrox is the reason for this review, so you certainly don’t have to ask for it to be included. 😉