Nikon 35mm 1.4z - portrait dream lens? My Thoughts

[@chawenhalo0089]

This is how an experienced professional photographer absolutely breaks the mould to our benefit. Well done Chief! We as consumer spec stuff, you use it in the real world.

[@MartinCastein]

thanks!

[@USGrant21st]

Manufacturers use the best lens coatings to improve the contrast, and people then put mist filters on them to make them look dreamier 😁

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

It is coming from consumers which are judging the wine upon the alcohol content and not on bouquet.

[@USGrant21st]

@@eagleeyephoto8715 🤡you can keep drinking, just don't post while doing so

[@caleidoo]

You can make a sharp and corrected lens look dreamy, but not an inferior and soft lens look sharp. High end lenses also tend to have weather sealing, more controls, better build and faster autofocus. You can't buy that with a filter either.

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

@@caleidoo That is partially true , thought you can’t add microcontrast a.k.a pop and soft focus fall off and boekeh with any filter out there.

[@caleidoo]

@@eagleeyephoto8715 What part is partially not true then? Again, you buy a high end lens for excellent image quality and you put a dreamy filter on it for dreamy photos. You have both options, depending on what you want: filter on or off. However, if you buy a crappy or lower end lens, you can never have the excellent image quality by adding a filter to it, you only have the mediocre image quality. There is no upgrading with a filter. How does this not make 100% sense? I don't understand your reply.

[@drchtct]

As a Fuji user, I am astonished by how negative Nikon users perceive this lens. It's an absolute dream lens, a 35 f1.4 FF just over 400g and under 9cm in length, wow, that's a system seller right there. In Fuji terms, that would be a 23mm F0.95, it doesn't exist, and if it would, we'd be talking about 800g most likely. Similar Sony and third party lenses are equally big & heavy, Nikon gave you guys an absolute gem here. Produce the same thing as a 50mm 1.4, paired with a Nikon Zf (would be even better if they made a smaller FF version of that, a7c or a7cr style) and you have an insanely compact and capable setup. I'm envy, enjoy it lol

[@EddieInzauto]

Exaaaaactly! I’m excited to see this approach with 50mm and 85mm.

[@Tom_367]

I still like the AF-S 35mm f1.4 G very much. I still like to use it on my D3 and D4s. As far as I have heard the Nikkor Z 35mm 1.4 has a better image quality for a much lower price. So this is a good direction that Nikon is heading to.

[@jonathandegard]

I realized that some lenses are so sharp and "perfect" that I don't actually use them much. I felt this way about the Leica Q3. A few days ago, I added a mist filter to soften the image. Now, it has that "dreamy" quality that transports you.

[@USGrant21st]

I don't need mist filters, I have old lenses with fungus in them 😁

[@alvinbartolome1239]

Vaseline anyone? :d😊

[@---us7qf]

This will mean more options for the 35mm Nikon shooter, and cheaper prices as well. I would be interested to hear about it's build quality. I think this is a good move.

[@marcp.1752]

Martin, i'd love to see a review from the new Meike 35/F2 AF. It's a great bargain, already 1st web reviews showed better bokeh balls than the Lumix S 35/1.8 lens, which is quite an archivement, for that little money. It's avialable for E/L/Z mount.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

The new Z 35mm f1.4 has more character than the 1.8, it is "Z sharp" though and shows some CR wide open in high contrast situations. It is more modern than my F-mount 35 1.4G and renders more cleanly. It's smaller, lighter and faster. I use lots of my fast F-mount lenses on the FTZ for portraits particularly. Now I don't know what to do??? The advantage of having fast, characterful F-mount lenses is that they can be used on mirrorless and DSLRs very successfully, but not the other way round. 🤔🤔🤔

[@ignatius_guitar7452]

I totally agree! Now we also need a 85mm 1.4 for portraits :=)

[@marijanbabic9742]

Right on spot!

[@arunashamal]

If NIkon and other manufacturers release good enough glass without fancy sharpness and contrast for good price, lot of professionals will buy that, unfortunately the market is driven by KZbinrs and Amateurs who only care about the sharpness not good photography, I have delivered photos taken from old nikon lenses and some photos that are somewhat out of focus even and not a single person complained or withhold payment due to photos being "not sharp"

[@markkelly3739]

You’ve really hit the nail on the head. The new z mount lenses are truly remarkable but at times lack character.

[@Starszy_gosc]

You are my favourite photo youtuber. Listening to your point of view is pure pleasure.

[@MartinCastein]

Wow, thank you!

[@ericlarson6180]

Nikon Rumors reported they are soon coming out with a 50mm 1.4 non-S as well. I hope you are right and that this is a trend. Maybe an 85mm 1.4 to follow? I do love my 50mm 1.8 S, but I also find my cheap 40mm f2 is plenty sharp enough with nice character that does remind me of some of my older SLR lenses. Really like your take on this and I’m looking forward to the launch of this lens

[@EddieInzauto]

Voigtlander shooter here. You make great points! This lens is VERY appealing to me if I want to add autofocus to my 35mm lens slot.

[@EddieInzauto]

By the way, which lens did you shoot this video with?

[@MartinCastein]

24-70 2.8s for this one

[@lukasschramm9887]

I want the quality of the 40 2.0 at 1.4. Than I’m happy

[@aerialfilm1]

During some unexpected free time around spring of 2020, I mated a lens from a 110 year old Kodak folder to my Z6. It is beautiful. Not overly done character like a wide open Helios, just incredible subject/ background separation. I firmly believe we need more low element count lenses.

[@chrisvalford]

Now the 50 1.4 has been announced, will they do an 85 1.4?

[@MartinCastein]

seems likely doesnt it

[@bijanfotografy]

You have given words to what some of us were thinking in our hearts but were not able to express ... Even the Nikon 35mm 1.4G with its CA and flare is one of my fav ... same reason I like the Fuji 35mm 1.4 ... lenses that exude some kind of characters that can not be measured by brick walls and pixel peeping ... 🎉🎉🎉

[@lecturersontheloose]

Hopefully Nikon have ignored the anoraks when they delivered this lens. Just as Nurburgring lap time comparisons ruined car reviews, brick-wall tests of lenses are meaningless. Like you, I want a 35mm with creamy bokeh and vignetting with smooth gradation.

[@MartinCastein]

yeah lets see what they do though, im quietly confident but not by a lot

[@DJJDBass]

Bought,,, TESTED and sent back… hit rate was low.. not sharp at all wide open . Had to go back.

[@MartinCastein]

On what camera and what focus type ? AFC or afs?

[@MartinCastein]

I don’t want it sharp wide open but had to hit focus

[@DJJDBass]

@@MartinCastein afc and if you can’t use a 1.4 lens wide open.. it’s useless

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Nicely Put, and thank you Martin Castein!

[@MartinCastein]

thanks!

[@dan.knows.photography]

Nikon are getting my attention 😅

[@WimBals]

Such a lens that you describe already exists to a large extent in the form of the NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7. In APS-C use you get a field of view of 36mm in full frame analogy. In addition to being light, characterful and small, this lens is also dirt cheap. So anyone who has a Zfc, Z50 or Z30 cannot ignore this lens.

[@dance2jam]

Spot on. This is one of the reason I shoot the 200mm f2 on my mirrorless body. There is just something about the rendering - and it's easy to identify - and my photography "friends" all see it. The type of image can not be replaced by sharper more contrasty lenses. Nor can the dimensionality - which as you know - a lens will have or not have. For me, it's one of the reasons I love taking photos.

[@pro-images1]

It's so refreshing hearing a detailed breakdown on the aspects of a lens from a veteran photographer, unfortunately there's too many photo gear critics and not enough seasoned photographers on KZbin these days, thank you for sharing.

[@Cotictimmy]

I heard of this lens for the first time yesterday in a email form LCE. My first reaction was 'That's a surprise: this new Z version is about the same price as some people are still asking for the F Mount 35mm f1.4 used. Interesting times. I'm still a DSLR guy currently (it's bargain time in the used DSLR market - so I'm happy to buy & try all those bodies I've always been curious about.)

[@andrewcroft2570]

Great video Martin

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@kjltube]

These a good points and I agree with most of what you are saying, but wonder if its the reduced count of expensive aspherical lenses (and 1 focus motor) configuration, that give the softer look rather than the lack of expensive Ed elements?

[@just_A_Hack]

I hope we get what you are saying. I saw a couple people already questioning why this lens was being made instead of the 1.2 version and it left me baffled. I am excited for this lens.

[@chawenhalo0089]

Nikon have been banging on about this 1:2 for ages!

[@MartinCastein]

I think we will get the 1.2 as well, it seems really unlikely we wont, i will be interested to see how they handle that lens too. I expect the delay is everyone wanting to make sure their lens isnt the worst of the bunch at 1.2 I feel like the 35mm 1.2 is going to be a major deciding battle for the manufacturers to see is the most competent. realistically they will all probably be basically the same with minor differences.

[@iggytse]

When you are doing professional portraits, not all clients want sharper photos. Some older clients want soft focusing to hide their wrinkles.

[@MartinCastein]

Yes I’d say it’s really only photographers that have been trained by marketing to rate sharpness, I want beautifully soft lenses for portraits specifically not rubbish soft. They are different.

[@boblozano]

Time and a place for everything, right? If you make me pick character vs perfection, used to pick perfection, but have grown to prefer character. Have one of these on order, hope it's the beginning of a range.

[@MartinCastein]

yes exactly, its about having the option, im just glad nikon is stepping into the character aspect too whilst also going for technical perfection, now you can choose. Perfect. If they really pull it off.

[@joemeka]

This is my dream lens & price. I’m pairing this with a Zf, for event photography. I hope Nikon gives us a similar 1.4 for 85mm

[@MartinCastein]

Same I hope they do the 85 as well but I really hope they don’t screw this up and make it a bad lens

[@erikbirgerson9893]

It's like watching an old horror movie...an old vhs copy creates significantly more discomfort compared to a 4k copy which is so clean that that pleasant feeling of horror is gone.

[@MartinCastein]

Yes that’s it, it changes the atmosphere a lot

[@lerrynhawke3375]

Will your lightroom classic presets work in lightroom 5? Thanks in advance!

[@MartinCastein]

Hi I’m not sure but I don’t think so

[@craigmckernan4056]

Would it be fair to consider this an "upgraded" version of the 40mm f/2 lens? It's great to see more budget friendly Nikon lenses added to their lineup. Still hoping for a 35mm f/1.2 or similar big baller lens to be introduced later.

[@MartinCastein]

we wont know till its released really, it could be a total disaster, i hope it isnt!

[@Galeidan]

I hope Canon makes also 35mm f 1.2 L. Emphasis on image quality, bokeh, accurate autofocus. State of the art 35mm lens.

[@MartinCastein]

i think they probably will do, it seems likely sony canon and nikon will

[@swedishhiker9861]

When it comes to the older Nikon lenses, is the 50mm 1.4D better than the 1.8D ? (apart from the bigger aperture)

[@MartinCastein]

i didnt use the 50mm 1.4d im afraid. but im pretty sure there are reviews online

[@erikruhmann2429]

I was thinking that the 35mm 1.4 might be a little better than the 1.8s for taking pictures in darker small clubs for live music. Thoughts about this?

[@MartinCastein]

We have to see what it’s light transmission is when it comes out but in theory yes but I’d probably worry more about focus speed and accuracy in low light between the two

[@erikruhmann2429]

@@MartinCastein Thanks

[@billmoyer3254]

Just take a look at photos shot with a low element count Nikkor AF 35mm f/2 and see how dimensional the results are. It's stunning compared to most new lenses.

[@MartinCastein]

i used that lens for years, loved it.

[@billmoyer3254]

@@MartinCastein that and the 105 AF f2D....

[@allee2445]

The few available yt videos show that the lens is almost as sharp as the S f/1.8. And it’s about 25% lower price. It’s an interesting product. Some say that it is made by tamron.

[@emeryfred]

the mtf charts show that 35 1.8 S is sharpper, the 35 1.4 is an average lense

[@MartinCastein]

I actually hope its a bit less sharp.

[@MartinCastein]

mtf charts dont tell you if a lens is average or not. thats like trying to judge a cars lap time by the 0-60mph figure.

[@emeryfred]

@@MartinCastein be serious, and try to learn that mtf chars means, it's for SHARPNESS. this is an average lense whatever you can write... and there is nothing to compare with a car...

[@MartinCastein]

@@emeryfred we dont know how the lens is till it comes out. sharpness isnt very important. We have to see how the lens renders, it could be very good it could be very bad or something inbetween.

[@Lon1an]

Is F mount tamron 35 f1.4 better?

[@ljohnson0725]

I have the 35mm Tamron 1.4 as well with the Z8 and Z7II. That was my question?

[@MartinCastein]

We wont know till this lens is released

[@sdhute]

I don’t understand this lens unless it drops way down in price. Right now the 1.8s is not much more money.

[@MartinCastein]

well it depends on how it renders. its not always about sharpness