The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S sits in an interesting position within Nikon's full frame mirrorless lens lineup. You might assume all f/1.8 S-line lenses perform equally, but that assumption could cost you both money and image quality.
Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this detailed video breaks down why the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S doesn't quite measure up to its 50mm sibling, despite carrying a higher price tag. Abbott tests the lens extensively on multiple camera bodies, revealing some surprising performance gaps that Nikon's marketing doesn't highlight. The autofocus system uses STM motors, which work well for stills but show some concerning behavior during video work. When you're doing focus pulls or touch-to-focus operations, the lens exhibits micro-pulsing and hesitation that breaks the cinematic feel you're after.
The optical performance tells a more complex story than you might expect from an S-line lens. Abbott's testing reveals significant vignetting that maxes out Lightroom's correction sliders, requiring careful attention in post-processing. The bokeh quality lands in "good but not great" territory, with specular highlights showing a busy, microscopic pattern that lacks the smooth rendering of competing lenses. Color rendition and flare resistance prove excellent, but the overall contrast and bite at f/1.8 doesn't match what you'll find in the 50mm version.
Key Specs
- 35mm focal length
- f/1.8 maximum aperture, f/16 minimum
- 11 elements in 9 groups with 2 ED and 3 aspherical elements
- 25cm minimum focus distance
- 0.19x magnification
- 62mm filter thread
- 370g weight
- 73mm diameter x 86mm length
Abbott's pricing analysis raises important questions about value positioning. At around $800 MSRP, this lens costs $200 more than the superior-performing 50mm f/1.8, creating a pricing structure that seems backwards based on optical performance. With third-party manufacturers like Viltrox preparing competitive alternatives, the current pricing feels increasingly difficult to justify. The lens produces excellent images when stopped down to f/2.8 and beyond, but that initial wide-open performance gap compared to other S-line lenses becomes noticeable in demanding situations. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.
