Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.4 review

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Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.4

25 November 2024

Maciej Latałło

4. Image resolution

Tests of Nikon Z system devices we conduct with the help of the Nikon Z7 camera and its RAW files developed by neutral software such as dcraw. We have been able to check thoroughly optical properties of several fixed focal length instruments of this system so far, so we think we are able to determine proper reference levels. Lenses reaching record revels should be able to reach about 85 lpmm; maximum results of other excellent system prime lenses should fit the range from 80 to 85 lpmm. The decency level we set at 41–43 lpmm.

Let's check how the performance of the Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.4 compare – its results in the frame centre, on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor and on the edge of full frame presents a graph below.

Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.4 - Image resolution

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In the frame centre you won't find any serious reasons to complain. Already at the maximum relative aperture images are of decent quality and this quality improves quite fast on stopping down the aperture. Still, it's difficult not to think that you deal here with results closer to the performance of older constructions because the decency level by f/1.4 is exceeded marginally only and the maximum values, reaching just 72 lpmm, don't bowl you over either.

The mediocre performance of the Nikkor 1.4/35 becomes especially conspicuous when you compare it to the results of its older and slower brother.

Unfortunately, on the edge of the frame the situation is hardly better. F/1.4 and f/2.0 apertures provide blurry images both on the edge of the smaller APS-C/DX sensor and on the edge of full frame. In order to enjoy a decent image quality you have do stop the lens down to near f/2.5 on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor and even to f/4.0 on the edge of full frame.

To sum up when it comes to resolution the performance of the new Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.4 is decent but far from the result you would expect from a modern prime.

At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution testing chart which were saved as JPEG files along the RAW files, used for the analysis above.

Nikon Z7, JPEG, 35 mm, f/1.4