Rent the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S in Canada — the fastest 35mm in Nikon’s premium S-line, joining the 50mm and 85mm f/1.2 primes. Its bright aperture and video-ready design make it a standout for astrophotography, low light, environmental portraits, weddings and filmmaking on Nikon Z. Key points:
- Ultra-fast f/1.2 aperture for low light, night skies and beautifully shallow depth of field
- S-line optics — 17 elements in 15 groups with three ED and one aspherical ED element for high sharpness wide open
- Video-focused design: clickless control ring, suppressed focus breathing and quiet autofocus
- 11 rounded aperture blades and an 82mm filter thread, shared with the 50mm and 85mm f/1.2 S
Our thoughts
This is the wide prime for when you want the very best low-light and rendering on Nikon Z. At f/1.2 the 35mm focal length is a joy for environmental portraits, weddings and night work, and the S-line optics stay sharp on the subject with a smooth, three-dimensional background. Nikon built it with video in mind too — the clickless ring and controlled breathing make it a strong hybrid lens.
— Will, Founder
Key specifications
| Lens mount |
Nikon Z |
| Format |
Full-frame (FX) |
| Focal length |
35mm |
| Maximum aperture |
f/1.2 |
| Minimum aperture |
f/16 |
| Aperture blades |
11 (rounded) |
| Optical design |
17 elements in 15 groups, incl. 3 ED and 1 aspherical ED element |
| Video features |
Clickless control ring; suppressed focus breathing; quiet AF |
| Minimum focus distance |
Approx. 0.30m (11.8 in) |
| Filter thread |
82mm |
| Build |
Dust- and moisture-resistant; approx. 1,060g |
Compatibility & what you might add
- Fits any Nikon Z body — it pairs well with high-resolution and hybrid bodies. As it has no built-in VR, an IBIS-equipped body helps for handheld shooting.
- Takes 82mm screw-in filters — a polariser or ND is handy for working wide open in bright light.
- Great for stabilised video on a gimbal thanks to the clickless ring and controlled breathing.
- Comparing fast primes? Look at the lighter 35mm f/1.4 or the portrait-focused 135mm Plena, and browse the full Nikon Z lens range.
Q&A
What’s the advantage of f/1.2 over the f/1.4 or f/1.8?
More light and an even shallower depth of field. At f/1.2 you gather extra light for dim venues and night skies, and backgrounds fall away more strongly for standout subject separation. It’s the top choice if you want the most cinematic look a 35mm can give on Nikon Z; the f/1.4 and f/1.8 are lighter and more affordable if you don’t need that last bit of speed.
Is it good for astrophotography?
Very — the f/1.2 aperture pulls in plenty of light for the night sky, and the S-line optics with ED and aspherical elements control aberrations that can smear stars toward the edges. The 35mm angle of view is a good fit for the Milky Way over a landscape.
Is it a good video lens?
Yes — Nikon designed it with hybrid shooters in mind. It has a clickless control ring you can assign to aperture for smooth iris pulls, suppressed focus breathing so the frame doesn’t “pump” as focus shifts, and quiet autofocus. Paired with a gimbal it’s a strong choice for cinematic wide work.
Does it have image stabilisation?
There’s no VR built into the lens, so it relies on your camera’s in-body stabilisation. On modern Nikon Z bodies with IBIS that works well for handheld stills and video at this focal length.
What filter size does it take?
82mm — the same as Nikon’s 50mm f/1.2 S and 85mm f/1.2 S, so filters carry across the f/1.2 trio. A polariser or ND pairs well; just let us know and we can add one to your rental.
