There has always been something magical about that f/0.95 aperture, ever since Canon introduced their “Canon Dream” 50mm f/0.95 lens in 1959. Ferociously expensive and without the benefits of modern coatings such a lens would never have been mainstream, but the quest has continued and there have been many recent f/0.95 offerings. Now Nikon have decisively entered the field with a 58mm f/0.95 manual focus, full frame of course, lens for their new Z series. The wide 55mm throat of the new Nikon Z mount makes such specifications a realistic proposition, but the price tag remains ferociously expensive, especially for a standard lens of which there are many almost as fast at much lower price points. However, with four Editor's Choice awards under their belt already, have Nikon weaved the magic again and produced something amazing? Or is this the point at which the superlatives really do run out? Armed with the new lens and the Nikon Z7 45.4MP body, let's find out.
Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Handling and Features
The kit arrived in two boxes, the smaller one bringing the camera body and a huge box bringing the lens. The reason soon becomes apparent as the lens is supplied in a very robust peli-style case that probably accounts for a couple of hundred pounds of the price on its own. As an aside, the instruction book for the lens provides step by step instructions on how to remove the lens from the case and how to put it back again, apparently by reversing the order of the process. Having mastered this, we have an absolutely gorgeous looking and very heavy (2000g) lens that looks as though it will take some handling. In fact, after a few moments use on the Nikon Z7 it fits like a glove and is as slick as we could wish for.
Starting at the front of the lens, we are provided with a round lenshood that screws into the 82mm filter thread. It is a pity that this is not a bayonet fit, as we have become spoilt with hoods that simply clip into bayonet fits and don't need to be lined up to screw them in. A small point perhaps, but at the price detail is everything, although I can see how aesthetically the hood marries up very nicely with the lines of the lens.
The manual focusing ring is huge, well gripped and operates on a helical thread, extending the inner barrel within the hood, but the overall length of the lens remaining the same. It is very smooth. Focusing is down to 0.5m or 1.64 feet, a maximum magnification of 0.19x. This works well with the slightly long standard lens length of 58mm, allowing close shots for portraits whilst retaining good modelling perspective. There are clear engraved markings in both feet and metres. Immediately behind this is the OLED display. When switching on, this displays NIKKOR and then changes to the selected value. The choice is controlled by a button close by on the lens marked DISP and we can select aperture value, distance scale or depth of field indicator. Display can also be in feet or metres as desired. Slightly further round the barrel is the L-Fn button, and this can be programmed via the camera for any one of 17 different functions.
The final control ring, closest to the camera, can be set to adjust aperture or exposure compensation. The former could be very useful for videographers as the electromagnetic diaphragm, coupled with this control, makes for totally silent aperture control. The diaphragm has 11 blades, a positive feature for beautiful bokeh.
Optical construction is 17 elements in 10 groups, with 4 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) and 3 Aspherical. Nikon's new ARNEO coating plus Nano crystal coatings complete the picture. The front element is also treated with a Fluorine coat to repel moisture, dirt and grease.
Of course, accuracy of focusing is absolutely critical, especially when using that f/0.95 maximum aperture, where depth of field is almost non-existent. When using the viewfinder the throw of the focusing ring is long enough so that minute adjustments can be made and the acuity of the screen is such that focusing is actually quite easy. When using the various focusing magnification options, precision of a very high order can be achieved.
This is a very satisfying lens to use, there is no doubt about that, and once we are used to the weight and the handling it poses few problems. At night, it comes into its own even further and it soon becomes apparent that the Noct designation leads us towards areas of shooting at which, in terms of handling, it excels.
Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Performance
Sharpness is simply stunning. Centrally, results are outstanding from f/0.95 all the way through to f/8, excellent at f/11 and still very good at f/16. The edges are excellent at f/0.95, outstanding from f/1.2 to f/8, excellent at f/11 and very good at f/16.
Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct MTF Charts
How to read our MTF chartsThe blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution and sharpness as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. For this review, the lens was tested on a Nikon Z7 using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses? |
CA (Chromatic Aberration) is all but banished centrally, and the edges are not far behind. A very strong result here as well.
Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Chromatic Aberration Charts
How to read our CA chartsChromatic aberration (CA) is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. For this review, the lens was tested on a Nikon Z7 using Imatest. |
Distortion measures -0.08% barrel, virtually rectilinear, and a challenge to even many macro lenses in this respect.
Bokeh is really nice, and the rendering of out of focus point light sources is commendable. Although there have been no astrophotography opportunities in the period of this review, it looks as though this could well be a strong area for the Noct.
Flare resistance is generally fine, with no loss of contrast or artefacts. If we try very hard, some artefacts can be generated, as shown in the sample image made, but this is not the norm and for all practical purposes flare is unlikely to be a problem.
As expected, vignetting at f/0.95 shows an obvious edge darkening, although as always this can actually be quite useful for portraits and need not necessarily be seen as much of a disadvantage. Overall results are very acceptable:
- f/0.95 -2.4 stops
- f/1.2 -1.9
- f/2 to f/11 -1.6
- f/16 -1.5
Clearly the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95S Noct lens is an extraordinary performer.
Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Aperture range
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Value For Money
The Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95S Noct lens is priced at £8299. That is a huge amount of cash for a standard lens, although if we wanted the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH that would set us back £9100. This is the league Nikon is moving in with this new lens.
There are of course several other f/0.95 lenses from Voigtlander (42.5mm MFT), SLR Magic (50mm APS-C), Mitakon (25mm, MFT) and Meike (25mm, APS-C) at much less than £1000, but not in general for full-frame cameras.
Just to give an idea of perspective, if we were prepared to sacrifice that maximum aperture just a little, then there is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, £1269, Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L, £2000, and Voigtander 50mm f/1.2 Nokton Asph (Sony FE fit), £939.
For more options have a look at the Top 14 Best Nikon Lenses, Top 44 Best Portrait Lenses, or have a look at the Top 23 Best 50mm Standard Prime lenses.
Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Verdict
What a dilemma. Discounting the price, this is an amazing lens that reaches the very highest level of quality. However, there are many lenses not that far behind, almost as fast, even at f/1.4 where the choice widens considerably. These are a fraction of the price of the Nikkor Z.
The advantages are clear, exemplary performance, high-quality construction, sublime handling of light sources and beautiful bokeh. These all add up to a very desirable product, sensibly specified and offering unique qualities. There will be photographers who snap this up and there will be photographers, like myself perhaps, who stand wistfully watching but unable to afford the huge price tag.
It still has to be an Editor's Choice, which makes it five in a row for the Nikon Z system, in itself a remarkable performance.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct is an impeccable performer for the Nikon Z system, at a price. |
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