Nikon NIKKOR 35mm F 1 4 Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 is a compact and lightweight prime lens for full-frame Z-mount cameras that breaks away from Nikon's traditional lens roadmap. Priced lower than the Z 35mm f1.8 S, it stands out by offering a faster f1.4 aperture, a dual-ring setup (adding a dedicated, customizable control ring alongside the focus ring), and excellent resolution across the full frame at longer distances. Physically, the lens weighs just 415 grams, includes weather-sealing with a rubber mount grommet, and utilizes a 62mm filter thread. Testing on a Nikon Z8 demonstrates highly accurate focus repeatability (96.0%) and up to 3 stops of effective handheld image stabilization when paired with the camera's built-in sensor-shift system. Despite these strengths, the lens exhibits several optical compromises to achieve its budget-friendly price tag. Its autofocus speed is notably slower than its f1.8 counterpart, taking 0.60 seconds to pull focus from infinity to its minimum distance compared to the f1.8's 0.37 seconds. Optically, the lens suffers from poorly controlled contrast and color aberrations, heavy vignetting, and strong field-curvature when shooting at closer ranges. It also exhibits...

However, the lens does compromise in certain areas to achieve its budget-friendly price tag. Optically, it is definitively softer at its maximum aperture than the more expensive f/1.8 S line variant, exhibiting less overall sharpness and lower native contrast. It is also prone to vignetting when shot wide open and catches lens flare far more easily. In terms of physical construction, the plastic body falls short of the f/1.8 S version’s metal-and-plastic composite build. Furthermore, while the f/1.4 lens features weather-resistant sealing, it lacks the complete, high-tier environmental sealing found on Nikon's official S-line glass.

The Nikon UK Magazine review highlights the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 as a lightweight (415g), affordable prime lens ideal for street photography and low-light scenarios, offering a wide f/1.4 aperture and 27cm minimum focus distance. While delivering bright, bokeh-rich images, the lens lacks S-Line features like a physical AF/MF switch and requires users to "zoom with their feet" due to its fixed focal length.

The Photography Life review identifies the Nikon 35mm f/1.4G as a versatile, pro-grade lens offering superb contrast, reliable autofocus, and excellent sharpness by f/2.8, making it ideal for low-light, wedding, and commercial work. It boasts beautiful background bokeh, though it is described as a workhorse that peaks in performance at smaller apertures rather than wide open at f/1.4. Cons include a plastic exterior, an atypical 67mm filter thread, and visible vignetting or distortion at f/1.4, with the reviewer noting poor value for DX-format users compared to the f/1.8G version. Overall, while optically strong, the high cost is balanced against these structural and performance compromises.

The Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S lens is highly praised as a premier "walk-around" prime lens and a classic focal length for photojournalists, delivering exceptional performance when shooting wide open. On the positive side, its sharpness is outstanding, even surpassing Nikon’s 24mm and 85mm f/1.4 alternatives, and it yields a highly pleasing bokeh ideal for detail shots. Furthermore, the lens exhibits strong contrast, handles heavily backlit situations well, and renders exceptionally rich, distinct reddish-brown colors that are likely enhanced by its Nano coating. Conversely, the review notes several drawbacks, most notably an autofocus system that feels slow and slightly lagging compared to the 24mm f/1.4 lens. While the build features a sturdy metal mount and the lens performs reliably, its exterior is unexpectedly all plastic for an $1,800 price tag. Another design inconvenience is its 67mm filter thread, which differs from the standard 77mm thread found on most professional Nikon lenses. Ultimately, the reviewer admits they rarely use it because the 35mm focal range simply does not suit their personal shooting style, which favors 50mm and 24mm primes.

The Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI-S is a historic, CPU-free manual focus lens originally designed for film and FX-format digital cameras like the Nikon D3, though it also functions as a 50mm-equivalent normal lens on DX-format bodies. Targeted primarily at photojournalists, the lens delivers a legendary, robust build quality built to last a lifetime, clear depth-of-field and infrared markings, and outstanding close-focus performance courtesy of Nikon's Close Range Correction (CRC) system. While it produces quite a bit of vignetting wide open on FX bodies, its center and corner sharpness dramatically outperform alternative 35mm f/2 models once it is stopped down to f/2. However, the reviewer highlights several critical optical drawbacks when shooting wide open at f/1.4, including very severe coma distortion in the extreme corners, prominent chromatic aberration (purple fringing) in harsh lighting, and a tendency for image "blooming" at infinity focus. Infrared shooters will also encounter a noticeable hot-spot at f/5.6, restricting optimal infrared performance to apertures between f/1.4 and f/4. Finally, the lack of an electronic CPU limits its overall utility on modern DSLRs. Despite these flaws at...

The Ken Rockwell review highlights the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-s as a durable, all-metal, manual-focus lens featuring excellent construction, a nine-bladed diaphragm for smooth bokeh, and Close-Range Correction (CRC) for sharp close-ups. It performs exceptionally well when stopped down to f/2.8 or smaller, offering high contrast and sharpness. Conversely, the lens displays significant flaws at f/1.4, including heavy veiling haze from spherical aberration, severe coma in the corners, and noticeable barrel distortion. Due to these characteristics, it is described as a specialized tool requiring practice rather than an all-purpose optic.

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 Ai-S is a legendary, fast wide-angle manual focus lens originally designed for film photography, featuring a robust all-metal build and a compact design that utilizes standard 52mm filters. A standout pro is its Close-Range Correction (CRC) system, which dynamically adjusts internal lens groups to maintain sharpness and unique, delicate image quality at its close minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters. Additionally, it features a 9-bladed iris that produces gorgeous sunstars from f/4 onward, delivers exquisite rendering in low-light environments, and provides a dreamy, artistic character wide-open with high center sharpness when under-exposed slightly. However, the lens suffers from several prominent optical and mechanical cons. When shot wide-open at f/1.4, it exhibits high vignetting, significant barrel distortion, noticeable coma in the corners, strong sphero-chromatic aberration, and a harsh "soap-bubble" bokeh that can smudge high-frequency background details like twigs or foliage. Mechanically, the lens can feel front-heavy on smaller bodies, has a frustratingly short focus throw that makes precise manual adjustments difficult, and features a complex internal barrel architecture with a fragile Close-Range Correction (CRC) coupling fork that...

The Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor is a professional, solidly built prime lens designed for full-frame cameras, functioning as a high-intensity alternative to a standard 50mm lens. Tested on a 36-megapixel Nikon D800E, the lens delivers exceptional center resolution starting at f/2.0, peaking at f/5.6, with corner sharpness matching the center from f/2.8 onward. It utilizes Nikon's Nano Crystal coating, making it highly resistant to flare and ghosting under standard conditions, and its silent, rapid autofocus tracks efficiently even in low light. Vignetting is visible at f/1.4 but quickly disappears by f/2.8, while in-camera processing successfully eliminates any distortion or lateral chromatic aberration in JPEG files, leaving only a minor 1% barrel distortion in uncorrected RAW files. The lens exhibits distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the shooting environment and user priorities. Its main benefits include high luminosity, outstanding resolution across the frame, a beautiful bokeh at full aperture, and low levels of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. Conversely, its drawbacks include its substantial physical weight and high retail price (launching at an MSRP of 1879 euros), alongside a lack...

The AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G is a heavy, professional-grade fixed-focal-length lens designed for FX and DX format cameras. In terms of advantages, the lens delivers addictive fast-aperture performance with outstanding sharpness right from f/1.4 across both the center and the corners of the frame. Its nine rounded aperture blades produce a gorgeous, smooth, and silky bokeh, and it features a very solid, purposeful build quality. Furthermore, its simple barrel distortion profile makes it relatively straightforward to correct in post-processing. Conversely, the lens suffers from several prominent drawbacks, most notably its large, bulky physical footprint and expensive price tag. Autofocus performance is disappointingly slow for a professional lens, lagging behind older screw-driven models in snappiness. Optically, it exhibits severe vignetting wide-open at f/1.4—acting more like t/1.8 due to a 2/3-stop loss in light transmission. It is also prone to noticeable contrast degradation and ghosting from flare, alongside extreme longitudinal chromatic aberration at wide apertures that can visually distort the edges of out-of-focus subjects. If you need more details

The Photozone Review by Markus Stamm of the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.4 G (FX) outlines an ultra-fast, professional-grade prime lens that was highly anticipated by the Nikon community. Structurally, the lens is exceptionally robust, featuring a solid construction primarily made of metal and magnesium alloy parts alongside professional dust and weather sealing. Optically, it performs incredibly well, serving up very good center resolution wide open that transitions into excellent territory as you stop down. Additionally, it features a near-silent autofocus driven by a Silent Wave ultrasonic motor, a non-rotating front element that allows easy polarizer use, and a specialized Nano Crystal Coat that reduces flare and ghosting in backlit environments. However, the lens comes with several significant downsides that may limit its broad appeal. Primarily, its initial street price of 1800 EUR/USD puts it well out of reach for average consumers. When shooting wide open, the image borders and corners lag behind the center resolution. Performance is further hindered by visible vignetting, high chromatic aberration, and a slight focus shift when stopping down. Finally, the autofocus speed is not overly...