It’s been more than a year since Nikon pre-announced the 58mm f/0.95 Noct lens and mirrorless battery pack, but the company just “officially” announced them today. If you’ve followed the rumors of the 58mm Noct, the whopping $8000 release price may not surprise you – but it’s still extremely high.
Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
The headline lens for Nikon’s Z system is a gigantic 58mm manual focus beauty that we’ve known about for more than a year now. And yes, it sells for $8000 – more than any Zeiss Otus lens, and only less than some exotic supertelephotos in Nikon’s lineup.
Truth be told, it will take some extremely specialized requirements to even consider this lens, especially when Nikon is planning to release a 50mm f/1.2 Z lens in the near future. But let’s not think about that; instead, let’s just take a look at the Noct’s remarkable lens diagram:
And here’s the MTF chart. When I first saw it, I was a bit surprised and miffed that such a holy-grail lens would have altogether “ordinary” performance on an MTF chart. Then I realized that this is the chart for f/0.95. So… yeah. This is a sharp lens:
Bottom line? Practically no one will buy this lens, but everyone will want to try it. It’s really just an advertisement for Nikon, and that’s all right.
MB-N10 Battery Pack
Nikon technically mentioned the future availability of a battery pack for the Z6 and Z7 back in August of last year, then didn’t say anything else about it for a long time. It’s finally official. The Z battery pack, called the MB-N10, will sell for $200. It looks like this:
The battery pack doesn’t fit the new Z50, only the Z6 and Z7 (so far). It also doesn’t improve the performance of the camera (i.e., buffer, maximum frame rate, video specs) – only the battery life.
It takes up to two EN-EL15 batteries at a time, increasing your maximum number of photos and video 1.8x more than normal. This means you now get a maximum of 155 minutes of video recording on the Z6 and Z7 before the camera dies (though remember that the camera does not allow you to film more than 30 minutes at a time, internally). Stills shooters can expect up to 610 shots from the Z7 and 570 from the Z6 using the battery pack.
To me, the only really interesting feature about the battery pack is that it is “hot swappable” – meaning that you can take out one battery and swap it while the other remains to power the camera. The benefit here is that you can take, for example, an ultra-long timelapse where you simply swap out individual batteries over time. You don’t have to interrupt the camera’s recording in order to do so.
Press Release
A Coveted Classic Reborn As A Modern Masterpiece: Nikon Releases The Fastest NIKKOR Lens Ever Created, The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Nikon Also Announces the New MB-N10 Battery Pack: Enhances Battery Life and Adds Additional Grip for Nikon Z 7 and Z 6 Users
MELVILLE, NY – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the fastest NIKKOR lens ever made, the new NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens. The 58mm Noct is a one-of-a-kind lens that pays homage to the extraordinary optical legacy that the previous Noct-NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 lens established, while demonstrating the superiority and potential of the Nikon Z Mount. Created for the most discerning photographers, the new Noct lens is an exclusively manual focus prime lens with an incredible maximum aperture of f/0.95 for a truly dramatic depth of field and next-level low light performance.The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is in a class of its own, offering low light ability and extreme sharpness that excels in the hands of a capable creator. From stunning portraits to landscapes or astrophotography, all images are rendered beautifully thanks to its vast depth-of field control, seductive bokeh and superb point-image reproduction.
“This is why the Z mount was created. The Noct is a testament to Nikon’s commitment to optical innovation driven by more than a century of expertise,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “We promised a new dimension of optical performance for the Nikon Z series and NIKKOR Z lens lineup, and by announcing our fastest NIKKOR lens ever made, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, we are making this claim a reality.”
THE NEWEST ADDITION TO S-LINE OF NIKKOR Z LENSES
The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct joins as the apex to the ever-expanding series of S-Line lenses, which also includes the recently announced NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S and NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, all hailed for their sharpness and optical performance.
A LEGENDARY LENS REBORN
The original Noct-NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2 was released in 1977, its name said to be derived from “Nocturne.” Made for nighttime photography, this lens became renowned for its ability to reproduce point light sources as point images. The design of the new Noct lens evolves with the most advanced optical technology for photographers and videographers, boasting an immense f/0.95 maximum aperture, staggering low light ability and enticing bokeh characteristics.
The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct implores an extensive depth of field, producing elaborate bokeh and blur characteristics with good continuity for more compelling, three-dimensional imaging. Even when the distance between the subject and the background are insufficient, the new 58mm Noct lens can still capture sharp images with beautiful background blur due to the reproduction of an extremely sharp focus plane and vast shallow depth of field. Additionally, shooting point light sources at maximum aperture would normally produce sagittal coma flare. However, with the new Noct lens the causes of sagittal coma flare are eliminated across the entire frame with point light sources being reproduced as tack-sharp point images even at the peripheries, for clear and crisp night landscapes and astronomical shots.
A lens like the new NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is possible today because of the large Z mount, which allows for more light capture and faster data sharing between lens and camera, as well as improved flexibility for lens optics and design. The new Noct lens also boasts a large-diameter ground aspherical lens element crafted from the finest glass with outstanding surface accuracy, providing a higher refractive index that would otherwise be unobtainable. This pro-level lens is constructed with an optical formula consisting of 17 elements in 10 groups, ensuring a well-balanced lens that delivers incredibly sharp results.
Like the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens announced earlier this year, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens includes an ARNEO Coat, which provides anti-reflection performance to combat incident light reaching the lens surface from a vertical direction. Alongside the Nano Crystal Coat, which effectively reduces incident light from a diagonal direction, the new Noct lens can capture clear and sharp content with minimal ghosting and flare effects across a wide variety of backlit situations that are normally challenging. Additionally, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct includes a lens information panel allowing photographers and videographers to confirm aperture, focus distance and depth of field at a glance. Users will also enjoy the increased number of functions that can be assigned to the lens Fn button, matching the Fn1/Fn2 buttons on both the Z 7 and Z 6 cameras. Additionally, an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism is incorporated, providing stable aperture control even during continuous shooting. The fluorine coat of the new Noct lens acts as a dust, dirt and moisture repellent coating.
In addition to the refined and durable exterior design, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct offers excellent operability and a feeling of precision in hand. The focus ring enables accurate manual focusing, allowing for the appropriate amount of torque and a large rotation angle, even for the extremely shallow depth of field afforded at f/0.95. The new Noct lens also adopts a control ring, where functions like aperture setting, and exposure compensation can be assigned. Furthermore, the inside of the lens hood is felt-lined, delivering clear rendering by effectively preventing light reflection inside the hood.
THE NEW MB-N10 BATTERY PACK FOR THE NIKON Z 7 AND Z 6
The new MB-N10 battery power pack is an optional accessory for both the Nikon Z 7 and Z 6. The battery pack significantly enhances battery life and adds an additional hand hold, providing photographers and videographers even more freedom and comfort when using the Z 7 and Z 6. The battery pack is designed to hold two EN-EL15b batteries (sold separately), effectively increasing the number of shots possible and movie recording time by approximately 1.8X, based on CIPA standards. The MB-N10 offers the same weather sealing and modern design of the Z 7 and Z 6, plus it will support USB charging.
Price and Availability
The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens will be available October 31, 2019 at a suggested retail price (SRP) of $7999.95* and will come with a special premium custom padded case (Trunk Case CT-101), in addition to the HN-38 Hood. The new MB-N10 battery power pack will be available in November 2019, for an SRP of $199.95*. For more information on the latest Nikon products, including the new NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens and MB-N10 battery power pack as well as the full Nikon Z mount system, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
About Nikon
Nikon Inc. is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo and video capture technologies; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enable visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products, as well as the revolutionary Nikon Z series of mirrorless cameras and NIKKOR Z lenses, which achieve a new dimension in optical performance. In 2018, Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., announced the production of 110 million NIKKOR lenses, creating a new milestone in Nikon’s heritage of superior optics. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web’s most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo and Flickr.
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*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Specifications, equipment and release dates are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
All Nikon products include Nikon Inc. limited warranty. Images are for illustrative purposes only. All Nikon trademarks are trademarks of Nikon Corporation. Nikon Authorized Dealers set their own selling prices, which may vary. Nikon is not responsible for typographical errors.
One of the benefits of z series is low weigth so Creating a 58mm prime weighing around 2000 grams makes sense
Lol
Battery packs battery packs. Batteries batteries. And hey, what about chargers? One of the great easy and unethical ways the camera makers can gouge us. Over and over. Hate be a cynic, but it’s true!
It would be great if all that people speaking about a grip actually would care about how Nikon’s naming this plastic thingy: “Nikon MB-N10 battery pack”.
That includes you, Spencer, too, as you’re responsible for a at least two wrong article titles. Usually you take more care with wording.
Meaning, a lot of people including me were hoping for a GRIP and what Nikon delivered is a super ugly, close to useless battery box. The easy solution would have been to open up the USB-C socket to charge it with a powerpack, but either Nikon’s engineers were too dumb for that (what I doubt) or Nikon’s clerks were too greedy what appears to be very possible in regards of other design decisions.
You’re right! Calling this a grip is an insult to battery grips. I’ve changed the titles and references in the article.
I easily get over 700 photos/videos per battery on my Z6. If the grip had controls I’d buy it for vertical shooting. I’ve no use for it just for more power. I can see where it would be useful for those who do a lot of video or time lapse.
I will never be able to afford the Nikon Z 58mm 0.95 S. When I see the official sample photos of Nikon, I will forever miss this lens in my camera bag. What a great bokeh! What interests it at all that the lens is not super sharp at aperture 0.95. It provides overwhelmingly beautiful design options, an absolute exception lens.
Eight thousand bucks each? Please, send me half a dozen. :-(
A manual focus lens costing two Otii and not being apo-chromatic. Nikon being too stingy to put an Arca-swallow tail on the much needed tripod socket. An APS-C body at the level of their D5xxx DLSR line, but with an LCD with not tilt-swivel movements. A roadmap which can be called “risk-free”. And then this embarassing battery-box which I refuse to use the word grip for.
There’s only clerks making the design desicisons at Nikon, apparently. After consulting gazillions of excel sheets to maximize profit and minimize risk, leaving innovative design to others as well as battery grips with added value. Is this still my brand of trust?
That is good for Nikon, because if people like us were making the decisions, Nikon would be out of business.
Please speak for yourself.
Were I a person prone to overexaggeration and being overly dramatic, I’d say that this grip was a disgrace.
I’m still tempted to say it though. This has to be one of the worst (if not the worst) grips Nikon has ever made for any camera, especially full frame flagship ones. No added perks (faster speed and all that) which, fine, acceptable. But no extra buttons? No controls whatsoever when the camera is used in portrait orientation? At 200$? This is just unacceptable, and it’s not like usual grips are cheap to begin with.
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And I’ll be honest, even after considering that yes, it’s an MTF for f/0.95, I’m still a bit miffed. For a lens as absurdly huge as this one (especially considering it doesn’t have AF either to take up space) I was really expecting perfection or as close to it; it’s not like the price doesn’t make one expect perfection either. Still, there hasn’t been an abudance of f/0.95 lenses out there (and the Mitakon is disgustingly soft until it’s stopped down to f/1.4 from what I’ve been able to see) and I’m not knowledgeable in the slightest as to how difficult making a sharp lens with these parameters would be.
But again, it’s not like I’m the target audience to begin with (bloody hell, I might not even be able to rent one, let alone afford it) so my interest in this lens is purely for interest’s sake. I do hope that it lives up to the Noct name (let’s not have a repeat of the 58 f/1.4 eh Nikon?) and I fully expect it to be one of the best lenses ever made because, considering size and price, it simply has to be.
Tomáš, I agree with you there! It’s a very basic grip, and I can’t see very many people buying it without additional buttons or supplementary features. I think most photographers would rather just spend the money on extra batteries :)
As for the Noct, I’m interested to see how it actually tests, but the MTF chart doesn’t worry me. It’s only a tad worse than the chart for the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S – and that’s comparing f/0.95 to f/1.8, which is almost two stops of difference. Given how amazing the 50mm f/1.8 S is (second highest maximum sharpness numbers we’ve ever tested at Photography Life), I’d be surprised to find anything short of best-ever image quality from the Noct.
Not that it really matters at the end of the day, because who is going to buy such a lens? :)
Me.
Totally agree with you Tomas. Nikon has a history of well designed grips, but this looks like a cheapo aftermarket job from the mid 1990s! It completely ruins the aesthetic of the Zs. It would be much better if Nikon had produced a simple 1.5cm high grip with no battery facilities, just allowing more comfortable portrait use.
The Noct is also a bit weird. As Spencer said it’s basically a museum collectors piece only. The original Noct, on the other hand, was actually useable because it wasn’t too heavy, and F1.0 in the film days could be useful. Who would lug this beast around, when the 85/1.4 has the same shallow DoF for £7000 less?
Oh well. At least the Z50 looks a bit better. I see it as a higher quality D5600 upgrade, which makes sense to target given the smartphone overlap.