{"id":80489,"date":"2026-02-08T10:16:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T09:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=80489"},"modified":"2026-02-08T10:21:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T09:21:25","slug":"review-comparison-nikon-nikkor-z-35mm-f-1-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-comparison-nikon-nikkor-z-35mm-f-1-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Review\/Comparison: Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f\/1.4 (vs. 35\/1.8 S)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

In this review, we take a look at the Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4, released several years after the original Z-series 35mm, the Z 35mm f\/1.8 S. It brings the long-sought f\/1.4 aperture typically found on Nikon\u2019s pro lenses, which is always an exciting option, but without the \u201cS\u201d designation used for the company\u2019s higher-end optics.<\/p>\n

The pricing is what really stands out: the f\/1.8 S is actually more expensive, despite being about two-thirds of a stop slower. So which one makes more sense? A direct comparison should help clarify which lens is the better fit\u2014and what compromises, if any, come with the faster option.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a>)
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n35 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n63\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n9 (rounded)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance (Magnification)<\/td>\n0.27 m (0.18\u00d7)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n62 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nNikon Z<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n\u2248 415 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n\u00a0\u2248 74.5 mm\u00d7 86.5 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n11 elements in 9 groups<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"\"
Lens Construction | NIKKOR Z 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

IMG<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buy new:<\/strong> B&H, Amazon (anywhere) for $ (Affiliate links)
\nBuy used: eBay<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

I bought this lens for test and review purposes.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 on a Nikon Zfc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f\/1.4 looks and feels very well-built, much like its sibling, the 35mm f\/1.8 S. It\u2019s mostly made of plastic, but the mount is metal. The size, form factor and style of the lenses are very similar. Note, though, that the 35\/1.8 S has a metal focusing ring.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a little surprised by Nikon\u2019s choice of control points on this lens. There\u2019s no AF\u2013MF switch, which is usually the first thing manufacturers include when a lens only has one control point. Instead, you get a customizable control ring. It turns smoothly and, by default, controls the aperture, but you can also set it to adjust ISO, exposure compensation, or disable it completely.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The large plastic focus ring is rubberised and feels responsive when focusing manually. Autofocus is accurate. The AF speed isn\u2019t super fast, but it\u2019s acceptable. There is a subtle whirring sound when autofocusing, but it’s not disturbing. The focus system uses focus-by-wire, which means the manual focus throw changes depending on how fast you turn the ring\u2014shorter when you turn it quickly and longer when you turn it slowly. <\/span>But on Nikon bodies, you can switch it to linear focusing so it behaves more like a true manual-focus lens.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also go into the camera\u2019s custom settings and set up many functions from there. One odd thing is that I\u2019d expect this set of function options to be on the function ring rather than the focusing ring. You can<\/em> swap the roles of the two rings, but in that case, you have to do manual focus with the smaller ring.<\/p>\n

The included lens hood is plastic and fairly basic, but it does snap securely onto the front of the lens. There\u2019s no image stabilisation built into the lens.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | lens caps and hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lens is weather-sealed, with a rubber gasket around the mount as well as sealing around all moving and critical points inside the lens, according to Nikon.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Z 35mm f\/1.4 | Weather sealing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It does not feature Nikon\u2019s high-end Nano Crystal Coat or the fluorine coating on the front element found on the 35mm f\/1.8 S. As a result, the f\/1.4 is more susceptible to ghosting and flare when shooting into strong light, with slightly reduced contrast in backlit situations. The front element is also a bit harder to clean if it gets dirty or is touched by accident.<\/p>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"\"
MTF curves | NIKKOR Z 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n

\"\"
MTF curves | NIKKOR Z 35mm f\/1.8 S<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Based purely on Nikon\u2019s published MTF charts, the f\/1.8 S should deliver slightly better sharpness and contrast. Let\u2019s see how that holds up in real-world use.<\/p>\n

Sharpness (Infinity)<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we look at three areas of the image, centre, mid-frame, and corner, see highlighted areas in the image below!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Infinily Sharpness Points of Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n