Back in April, fresh off the Nikon demo table and sporting my newly acquired Nikon Z hat, I was beckoned by a member of the Nikon staff to play with a separate set-up.  Instead of being available on the table to play with, this unit was affixed onto a display, locked into place, and showing a description as “the fastest Nikkor lens ever.”  During my playtime of Isolating faces in the crowd of the Convention Center Hall, it was clear:  the lens was a beast.  

And now, that beast is here.

Img_2987_copyThe NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct on display at NAB 2019 on a Z6 cameraCredit: Author

Clocking in at about 4.5 pounds, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is the fastest lens that Nikkor has ever made. It boasts a maximum aperture of f/0.95 (!) which of course, creates a shallow depth of field and allows for sharp focusing and low light visibility.  An exclusively manual focus lens, it features 350 degrees of focus rotation and an information panel that displays aperture, focus distance, and depth of field. 
 
The term "Noct" is both in honor of the 58mm f/0.95's predecessor, the original Noct-NIKKOR f/1.2 lens developed in the 1970s, and "nocturne," defined as "a work of art dealing with night" (Merriam-Webster). The original Noct is 1) a one-word legend and 2) was celebrated for its use in night photography. Like its predecessor, the 58mm f/0.95 seems destined for nighttime greatness.  

58mm_s_noct_03_hm_2159_copy58mm S Noct Sample ImageCredit: Provided by Nikon

It is important to note that this new 'beast' is developed for the Z mounts of the Nikon Z Mirrorless system. While the F to Z mount allows you to use your Nikon F-glass on a Z mount camera, you can’t go backward with a Z lens. In fact, Nikon shared, via press release, that the new Z mount is actually what makes this lens possible, with greater light capture and faster data sharing between the camera and the lens. 

“The Noct is a testament to Nikon’s commitment to optical innovation driven by more than a century of expertise,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. shared via press release.  “We promised a new dimension of optical performance for the Nikon Z series and NIKKOR Z lens lineup, and by announcing our fastest NIKKOR lens ever made, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, we are making this claim a reality.”  

58mm_s_noct_06_ca_0953_copyCredit: Provided by Nikon

The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens joins the previously released NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens and the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens developed for the Z mount system. The new Noct f/0.95 will be available on October 31st, 2019, with a suggested retail price of $7999.95.  It comes with a padded carrying case which, let's face it, you're going to need if you're carrying around an $8000 lens, as well as a lens hood, which is felt-lined to prevent light reflection.
 
Tech Specs:
  • Focal length: 58mm
  • Mount Type: Nikon Z mount
  • Weight: Approximately 4 lb. 6.6oz.
  • Lens Type: Manual Focus
  • Format: FX 
  • Maximum Aperture: f/0.95
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Lens Elements: 17
  • Lens Groups: 10
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11
  • Coats: ARNEO, Nano Crystal, Fluorine, Super Integrated
  • Filter Size: 82mm
Happy Halloween Nikon fans!
 
 

 

Featured image provided by Nikon, https://www.nikonusa.com

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