Our Recommendation
Although the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S was one of the first lenses ever made for the Z mount, it continues to stand very strong today. The build quality and optical performance are top-notch, and even the few weaknesses that the lens has are either quite mild, or easy to work around.
If you’re wondering about getting the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, I can recommend it very easily. That said, I suggest that you at least consider the Nikon Z 40mm f/2 as an alternative. While the Z 35mm f/1.8 S is the stronger of the two lenses, the modest difference in optical performance may not be worth the significant difference in price ($850 versus $300). The construction of the two lenses is also quite different, with the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S prioritizing high build quality and weatherproofing, while the Nikon Z 40mm f/2 prioritizes utmost portability. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed either way, so go with the lens that better suits your needs as a photographer.
To wrap up this review, here’s a complete summary of the pros and cons of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality with effective weather sealing
- Impressive distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration performance
- Very high sharpness throughout most of the aperture range
- Very minimal flare and ghosting
- Excellent value when on sale for $700
Cons:
- Simplistic design with no custom function button and few custom controls
- A little larger and heavier than some alternatives
- No vibration reduction – a potential frustration on Nikon Z cameras that don’t have IBIS
- Sharpness at f/1.8 is not as high as most other f/1.8 Nikon Z lenses, though still good
- MSRP of $850 is on the high side
If you like shooting with 35mm lenses, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is an excellent choice. It has a durable construction and a strong optical performance that will satisfy almost anyone who tries it. It makes a worthy addition to the bag of any Nikon Z photographer.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is available for $850 through any of our affiliates. You can check the current price for any sales at the following links:
- Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S at B&H
- At Adorama
- At Amazon
- Used/International: Check prices on eBay
Thank you for buying your equipment through the links above, whether it’s this lens or anything else! When you do, Photography Life gets a small percentage of the sale without costing you anything extra. It goes a long way to help us review more equipment.
The next page of this review has some more sample photos from the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, followed by reader comments on the final page. Click the menu below to jump to the section you want:
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S
- Build Quality and Handling
- Size and Weight
- Sharpness Performance
- Other Image Quality
- Value
Photography Life Overall Rating
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