Melville, NY—Nikon announced the release date and expanded specs for the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S. It’s a professional-level ultrafast prime lens for capturing stills or video footage. The lens is an option for a variety of genres, including studio head shots; wedding, event and high fashion photography; as well as b-roll and close-ups.
In addition, Nikon announced further details about the slim-profile, ultracompact Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake lens.
“The Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S is a lens that unquestionably exhibits the extraordinary potential of the Z mount to resolve amazing details and dimensionality. I’m confident this lens will quickly establish itself with legendary status among its users,” said Jay Vannatter, executive vice president, Nikon Inc.
“The Nikkor Z line continues to expand to benefit all kinds of creators. And those who adore the idea of carrying a super-slim, light, sharp and fast walk-around lens will love the Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8.”
Nikkor Z 85mm F1.2 S Key Features
The premium S line lens is built for ultrahigh resolution and intense sharpness, rendering skin texture and hair realistically. It also achieves a striking yet gradual depth of field and advanced light-gathering ability.
In addition, Nikon placed a special emphasis on the distinct character of the lens’s bokeh and out-of-focus areas. The background blur is soft and natural, while the transition from the plane of focus is subtle and gradual.
Further, even when stopping down, the depth created is “dreamy,” with smooth and circular bokeh that drives attention to the subject. As a result, it creates a glamourous appearance that’s desirable for fashion, boudoir and brides.
Like the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct, this lens boasts an optical construction that includes 11 rounded diaphragm blades. They work together with the fast f/1.2 aperture to melt point light sources into round, soft circles.
Additionally, its 15–element, 10–group design integrates two aspherical elements and one ED element. The ED lens effectively reduces chromatic aberration; the aspherical lens reduces spherical aberration, distortion as well as other aberrations. Further, the ED glass suppresses color fringing, while the position of the elements eliminates “onion-ring” characteristics. Plus, Nano Crystal coat reduces ghosting and flare.
What’s more, the lens benefits from Nikon’s advanced multi-focusing system for enhanced optical performance at close distances. Furthermore, its rapid AF performance enables precise accuracy, even with the razor-thin depth of field at f/1.2.
To achieve this, its multi-focusing system consists of two stepping (STM) motors to coordinate positioning of two focusing lens groups simultaneously. The small-diameter, high-torque STM’s in the AF mechanism help ensure quiet, fast and accurate operation.
Additional Features
The lens also offers a minimum focusing distance of 2.8 feet. Plus, an independent control ring and an additional L-Fn button are fully customizable.
Videographers will also appreciate the quiet operational sound and fast AF afforded by the STM motors. Minimized focus breathing as well as the support for manual linear focusing on select cameras will also appeal to them.
The lens is constructed of magnesium alloy with weather sealing for dust and drip resistance. The Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S will reach retail late March 2023. It will have a suggested retail price of $2,799.95.
Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
The Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 is a superthin, wide-angle prime for Z series mirrorless cameras. Moreover, it’s Nikon’s slimmest, lightest full-frame AF lens ever. In fact, it’s the first Nikkor Z lens that’s slender and light enough to label a true “pancake.” It has a total length of less than one inch and weighs approximately 4.5 ounces.
Despite its small size, the lens provides overall sharpness and beautiful blurred backgrounds with a fast f/2.8 aperture. And its compact form factor makes it easy to take anywhere to capture photos and video—whether shooting street photography, travel vlogs or landscape shots in a unique location. Its portability is due to an all-element focusing system and three aspherical lens elements.
Other features include an 8-inch minimum focus distance and an STM motor for accurate autofocus. Photographers can also assign functions such as aperture and exposure compensation to its control ring. Further, on a DX-format camera, it provides a 39mm-equivalent focal length, similar to a standard angle lens.
The lens is also fitted with a metal mount, and Nikon designed its body for dust- and drip-resistant performance.
It’s bundled with a lens cap and hood specially made to be slim and work with 52mm filters (sold separately). The Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 will ship early March. It will have an SRP of $499.95.
