Verdict

The Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 is a mild wide-angle prime lens which is pretty compact and weighs little more than its f1.8 sibling. In my tests it showed good resolution across the full frame at longer distances, has a nice Bokeh, and comes with full weather sealing and a separate multi function ring. Plus it sells at a lower price than the Z 35mm f1.8 S.

What’s not to like – apart from the missing lens pouch? Well, there’s a long list where Nikon obviously had to compromise to reach the targeted price: Contrast at f1.4 and f2.0 especially outside the center is low. Colour aberrations and purple fringing is not well controlled until you stop the lens down to f2.8 and there is some blue haloing around high contrast edges which does not go away even at f8.0. Close-up shots near minimum object distance suffer from a rapid drop in resolution and contrast outside the center. Field curvature outside the DX image-circle becomes strong at distances below 3m. And the lens shows strong vignetting at f1.4.

Let’s put this into perspective and have a closer look at how the Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 compares to some alternative 35mm lenses.

Three 35mm lenses with Z-mount

Above: Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S, Nikon Z 35mm f1.4, Voigtländer 35mm f2 APO-Lanthar

Compared to Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S

The Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S is a good lens: Resolution of fine details is mostly better than from the Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 with a much better overall contrast and less haloing and spill-over of bright lights. It also delivers much better close-up performance and less field-curvature than the Z 35mm f1.4, and it also focuses much faster. But Bokeh in the farther background can be quite distracting which is a pity for an f1.8 prime lens – the Z 35mm f1.4 is better in this respect. And the Z 35mm f1.4 also has separate focus and multi-function rings which I personally prefer – and has a slightly lower price. Deciding between both lenses is a tough task. I’d probably prefer the Z 35mm f1.4 over the Z 35mm f1.8 S: Better Bokeh, more light collecting power.

For more details see my Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S review where the lens came Recommended.

Compared to Viltrox AF 35mm f1.8

The Viltrox AF 35mm f1.8 is only half the price of the Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 and comes with a dedicated aperture ring. But the lens lacks any form of weather sealing, reaches only 1:9.5 maximum magnification, and shows strong distortions when focusing closer. It’s also relatively soft wide open which makes it more adept for street photography or environmental portraiture than for shooting landscapes or architecture where it needs to be stopped down to f5.6 or even f8.0 for really sharp images across the full frame. But looking at the low price those flaws might well be acceptable.

For more details see my Viltrox AF 35mm f1.8 review where the lens came Recommended.

Compared to Voigtländer 35mm f2 APO-Lanthar

Voigtländer’s APO-Lanthar is my current benchmark in optical (and mechanical) quality for 35mm lenses. It’s an excellent lens with high contrast, superb resolution, and very well controlled color aberrations which can easily be used wide open in 180MP pixel-shift shooting. And it has a solid metal build with silky-smooth focus operation plus one compelling feature over rival lenses: It has specially designed aperture blades which enable beautiful sunstars even at f2.2. But the lens is one stop slower than the Z 35mm f1.4 which also limits its Bokeh. So, choices are easy: If you want/need the faster focal ratio and autofocus get the Z 35mm f1.4. If you want the best possible optical performance and are able to focus manually with precision the Voigtländer 35mm f2 APO-Lanthar is a great alternative.

For more details see my Voigtländer 35mm f2 APO-Lanthar review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Nikon Z 35mm f1.4 final verdict

Nikon’s Z 35mm f1.4 is an interesting entry into a third line of Z-mount prime Nikkors: much smaller and lighter (physically and price-wise) than an f1.2 version would be it offers a 2/3 stop better light gathering power, better Bokeh, plus a separate focus and control ring over the Z 35mm f1.8 S at a lower price. And the Z 35mm f1.4 shows good resolution across the full frame at longer distances. But: Contrast and color aberrations are not well controlled, close-up performance is weak, there’s heavy vignetting, and the lens shows strong field-curvature at closer distances. If you value the benefits of the large f1.4 aperture and can live with these deficiencies I can still recommend the Z 35mm f1.4 based on its good price-performance ratio.

Good points:

• Compact and light-weight build.
• Good resolution across the full frame at longer distances.
• Nice Bokeh.
• Weather sealing, multi function ring.
• Good price-performance ratio.

Bad points:

• Low contrast at f1.4 and f2.0.
• Colour aberrations, purple fringing, blue haloing.
• Weak close-up performance.
• Heavy vignetting wide open – even with lens-profile.
• Strong field-curvature outside DX image-circle at closer distances.