Introduction
The Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct was one of many first lenses introduced for the Nikon Z system in October of 2019. It’s an optical marvel and a shock that it even exists. The lens prices $8000, weighs 2000 grams (4.4 kilos), and doesn’t help autofocus. Though at some stage it’s merely an announcement piece – displaying what Nikon is able to in fashionable lens design – it additionally stands as a singular product in the marketplace that gives one thing to extremely specialised photographers. Whereas I don’t imagine that the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct will appeal to a large viewers (therefore why this is without doubt one of the final Nikon Z lenses to get a evaluation from Images Life), the slim vary of photographers within the audience of this lens are absolutely drooling over it.
Nikon’s “Noct” terminology has an extended historical past. The unique Noct-Nikkor lens was a 58mm f/1.2 AI lens that Nikon launched in 1977, adopted by an AI-S model in 1981. In the present day, it continues to command very excessive costs on the used market and virtually has grow to be a collector’s merchandise. (We beforehand reviewed it and located that it holds up very properly in some ways, even 40 years later.)
Though the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct shares its identify with this older optic, the 2 lenses are very totally different. The brand new f/0.95 lens weighs greater than 4 instances as a lot because the earlier f/1.2 model, and the utmost aperture of f/0.95 captures about half a cease extra gentle. Each are guide focus, all-metal lenses, however the brand new 58mm f/0.95 Noct is designed with computer-aided precision for optimum picture high quality on the expense of all different concerns. Once more, I’m nonetheless shocked this lens even exists. It strikes me as the kind of factor which will go down in historical past, and up in worth, as quickly as Nikon discontinues it.
However I’m getting forward of myself. How does the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct carry out? Is it a viable skilled optic, or do the load and worth make it merely an announcement piece? On this hands-on evaluation, I’ll reply these questions and extra!
Construct High quality
The Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct is without doubt one of the most impressively-built lenses that I’ve ever used. It’s all metallic, together with the focusing ring, and feels extraordinarily sturdy. In immediately’s world, first-party producers have principally switched from metallic to plastic, making the 58mm f/1.2 Noct really feel a bit nostalgic. (Curiously, Nikon’s different “named” mirrorless lens, the 135mm f/1.8 Plena, additionally sports activities the same all-metal building.)
The place dimension and weight are involved, although, this is without doubt one of the heaviest non-telephoto lenses in the marketplace. At 2000 grams (4.4 kilos), it’s not a lens for the minimalist images. The metallic building isn’t why it weighs a lot – that might be the fault of the glass itself – however the metallic does contribute to the distinct feeling of denseness when holding the Noct.
Curiously, the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct will not be an internally-focusing lens. There’s an inside barrel that extends barely as you focus extra carefully, which is uncommon for any prime lens nowadays, not to mention such a high-end optic. I imagine it goes again to Nikon’s final objective with this lens: picture high quality and brightness in any respect prices. Nikon went by means of some giant tradeoffs in worth, weight, and dimension – and even made the lens focus externally – on this journey to optical bliss.
The place construct high quality is worried, the very last thing I’ll point out is a small potential downside. As a result of Nikon has gone with a painted black end over the metallic, it’s potential for the paint to put on skinny over time or scratch, revealing the silver shade under. In case you’re bringing alongside a number of metallic lenses at a time, ensure that they’re completely safe in your bag, or the danger of damaging one another’s paint could be excessive.
Dealing with
The Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct handles like butter. And thank goodness for that, provided that it’s worthwhile to focus this lens manually reasonably than counting on autofocus. The big guide focus ring turns virtually a full 360 levels, providing very superb management over the place you place your airplane of focus. It’s the nicest guide focus ring that I can recall utilizing.
As for different dealing with options, as a guide focus lens, some minimalism will not be an issue. No sense in an AF-MF swap or a spotlight limiter! However Nikon did nonetheless put a lens perform button on the Noct, in addition to an EL show that may be personalized to point out issues like your aperture and focusing distance. Nikon has just lately prevented including an EL show to their high-end glass – and the Noct already sports activities engraved focus distances anyway – nevertheless it’s there if you happen to want it, I suppose.
There’s additionally a tripod foot – uncommon for a lens of this focal size, however logical for a bit of glass that weighs a full two kilograms / 4.4 kilos. Like all Nikon lenses, it’s not Arca-Swiss suitable, so most photographers will wish to substitute the tripod foot or maintain a plate on it always.
A remaining be aware in regards to the dealing with of the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct is that the lens hood (additionally metallic) hides the exterior focusing design of the lens! Undoubtedly a pleasant profit. That stated, the hood on this lens is a little bit uncommon in design, screwing into place reasonably than clicking into grooves. The result’s that it takes a little bit longer to connect or detach. However given the assorted advantages of a lens hood, I’d merely go away it on on a regular basis. The small added bulk most likely received’t hassle you, provided that the lens nonetheless takes up lots of room both approach.
Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct Specs
- Full Title: Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
- Mount Sort: Nikon Z Mount
- Focal Size: 58mm prime
- Angle of View (DX): 27°20′
- Angle of View (FX): 40°50′
- Most Aperture: f/0.95
- Minimal Aperture: f/16
- Aperture Blades: 11 (rounded)
- Filter Measurement: 82mm
- Lens Components: 17
- Lens Teams: 10
- Particular Components: 3 aspherical, 4 ED glass
- ARNEO Coating: Sure
- Nano Crystal Coating: Sure
- Tremendous Built-in Coating: Sure
- Fluorine Coated Entrance Aspect: Sure
- Digital Diaphragm: Sure
- Vibration Discount: No
- Inner Focusing: No
- Management Rings: Handbook focus and customized
- Operate Button: One
- Focus Motor: N/A
- Minimal Focus Distance: 0.5 meters (1.6 ft)
- Most Magnification: 0.19× (1:5.3)
- Mount Materials: Steel
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 153 × 102 mm (6.0 × 4.0 inches)
- Weight: 2000 g (4.4 lbs)
- MSRP: $8000
- Lowest Sale Seen: $8000 (verify present worth)
Right here is the development of the lens, courtesy of Nikon:
The following web page of this evaluation covers the optical traits of the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct, together with sharpness assessments within the lab and in depth examples of bokeh. So, click on the menu under to go to “Optical Efficiency”: