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Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens First Look Review

In February 2025 Nikon released a premium Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens. This is a fast-aperture, slightly wide prime that completes a trio of high-end f/1.2 S-Line lenses for professional and advanced enthusiast photographers. This highly anticipated model becomes the fastest 35mm for the Nikon Z system, combining exceptional sharpness with colour accuracy, and smooth bokeh from an 11-blade diaphragm.

The bright f/1.2 aperture, cutting-edge optical coatings, and proficient multi-focusing system ensure it meets the demands of event photographers who shoot weddings, portraits, and corporate events, as well as editorial and fashion photographers. Hybrid content creators also benefit from its cinematic capabilities, which we explore further below in this first look.

With its release, this high-end lens fortifies Nikon’s professional mirrorless lens lineup, adding another fast prime with exceptional depth of field control and low-light performance. In this Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens First Look review, we explore what makes this such a useful addition to the mirrorless ecosystem while comparing its specs with the original f/1.8 S and the recently released Z 35mm f/1.4, in order for you to pick the ideal one for your needs.

So without further ado, let’s start with the release date and pricing.

Release Date and Price

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S launched on February 5, 2025, with a retail price of £2899.00. This positions it firmly as a high-end professional option for photographers and filmmakers who require the best optical and build quality currently available.

While it sits at the premium end of Nikon’s lineup, it does provide features that justify the cost for professional users. It offers Nikon’s most advanced optics, an 11 blade diaphragm, the latest coatings, extensive weather sealing, and a high-speed autofocus system.

Sample Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens with Nikon Z8. Camera settings 1/1000 sec. f/1.2. ISO 100

What is the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S for?

The Z 35mm f/1.2 S is a slightly wide prime lens for storytelling, with characteristics that entice the viewer through a narrative, while being able to evoke emotions. 35mm is still considered a standard lens, and it suits a wide range of professional genres, including:

• Weddings and events where thanks to a fast aperture and precise autofocus it’s ideal for low-light receptions, dance floors and spontaneous candid shots.
• Portrait and editorial photographers benefit from the combination of background separation, ultra-sharp resolving power, and a natural perspective, which is well suited to fashion, editorial, and environmental portraiture.
• Street and documentary photographers have enjoyed the 35mm focal length for decades, where 35mm is considered a classic for capturing street life, news and reportage.
• Cinematographers and hybrid creators gain a fast prime with minimal focus breathing, smooth focus pulls, and excellent AF subject tracking for professional video productions.

This lens perfectly complements the Z 85mm F/1.2 S and Z 50mm F/1.2 S, forming a trio of fast-aperture primes for full-frame mirrorless photographers, which we explore next.

A Trio of Fast f/1.2 Primes

Nikon’s f/1.2 S-Line lenses represent the pinnacle of optical engineering, delivering unrivalled image quality that extends beyond sharpness and resolution to exceptional depth of field control and low-light performance. The release of the Z 35mm f/1.2 S completes Nikon’s f/1.2 trio:

1. This Z 35mm f/1.2 S offers a slightly wide perspective for documentary, environmental portraits, and street photography.
2. Z 50mm f/1.2 S provides an equally natural field of view, which is also ideal for portraits, fashion, and editorial work.
3. Z 85mm f/1.2 S is a highly coveted short telephoto lens for classic portraits and headshots, where additional compression and subject separation is beneficial. We were fortunate to have hands-on time with the lens for our Nikon Z 85mm F/1.2 S lens review, which you can read here.

Between these three models, professional photographers and filmmakers who shoot portraits and events have some incredible fast-aperture primes, which are needed for a great deal of professional photo and cinematic applications.

Sample Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens with Nikon Z8. Camera settings 1.7 sec. f/1.2. ISO 64

Choosing between the Z 35mm and Z 50mm f/1.2 lenses

The 35mm focal length is among the most popular for photographers, sitting between wider and more telephoto options. Its slightly wider-than-standard field of view offers a natural perspective that closely resembles human vision, while providing enough context to include surroundings without excessive distortion. This makes it an excellent choice for storytelling, whether capturing environmental portraits, street photography, documentary work, or event coverage.

If you could only choose one, the key advantages of 35mm is its versatility. Unlike a 50mm lens, which can feel more constrained in certain situations, a 35mm is able to frame subjects in tighter spaces, while still delivering a flattering low distortion perspective. It allows photographers to get closer to their subjects without feeling overly intrusive, which can sometimes be a drawback of wide angle lenses. This makes it particularly well-suited to candid shots and reportage.

Additionally, for hybrid creators who shoot photo and video content, 35mm provides a balanced angle of view that translates well across different formats, ensuring it’s a great choice for cinematic images.

That being said, many users do of course prefer a 50mm for its compression and subject isolation, with the choice ultimately coming down to your own personal preference.

Sample Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens No EXIF data

Why Choose the Z 35mm f/1.2 S Over Other 35mm Lenses?

Photographers considering the Z 35mm f/1.2 S may wonder how it compares to Nikon’s other 35mm options. It’s faster than the Z 35mm f/1.8 with better light gathering, greater subject separation, and smoother bokeh.

It is also more advanced than the recently released Z 35mm f/1.4, which delivers strong performance, but the f/1.2 offers greater light transmission, enhanced S-Line optical quality, and advanced coatings for superior results.

Professionals who need absolute control over light, depth of field, and sharpness will benefit from the exceptional engineering of the f/1.2 S. While the Z 35mm f/1.2 S is heavier than its smaller counterparts, the optical performance and creative possibilities it provides are unmatched. The next section provides a specs comparison between all three options, offering insight that some photographers may find useful.

Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs f/1.8 S vs Z 35mm f/1.4 specs comparison

With the release of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S, photographers now have three own-brand Z 35mm prime lenses to choose from, with two launched within a year of each other. The f/1.2 S model delivers an ultra-fast aperture and advanced optics, while the f/1.4 offers a more compact, lightweight, and affordable alternative. Here’s how specifications compare.

Sample Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens No EXIF data

The f/1.2 S lens is unquestionably aimed at professional users, offering greater customisation, the latest lens coatings, a faster AF system, and an 11-blade diaphragm. However, these advantages come with added size, weight and a higher price, which may steer some users to the more compact and affordable f/1.4 or f/1.8 models.

Although it is a larger lens, the 82mm filter thread accommodates commonly used professional lens filters. A protector filter or UV lens filter can help prevent accidental damage, while a high-quality CPL like the Hoya 82mm HD II enhances contrast and reduces reflections. For variable lighting conditions, a VND such as the PolarPro Peter McKinnon 82mm VND MIST Edition II 2-5 Stop offers refined exposure control.

We’ve also reviewed a range of suitable filters, including the Urth Magnetic Filters Kit Review and a personal favourite, the PolarPro Shortstache Everyday Filter Review, both of which provide excellent optical quality for a lens of this calibre.

Sample Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Lens No EXIF data

A Prime for Professional Storytellers

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S is a premium addition to Nikon’s expanding S-Line range, with exceptional resolving power, bokeh, and low-light performance for photographers and filmmakers. Its fast f/1.2 aperture delivers outstanding subject separation and light-gathering qualities, which is perfect for storytelling genres such as environmental portraiture, weddings, events, and video productions. Cutting-edge autofocus technology, reduced focus breathing, and comprehensive weather sealing ensure that it can handle demanding professional working environments.

The Z 35mm f/1.2 S is an investment for photographers who want the best possible 35mm prime for the Nikon Z system. Reserve yours today and discover how incredible the optics can be for your storytelling.

If you’re considering upgrading, gran yourself a fast and free trade-in quote and find out how much you can save on this exceptional lens.

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By Nick Dautlich on 05/02/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.