Is the 1st Z lens Now the Worst? Nikon Zf Lens Buying Guide for Street Photography
The 35mm f1.8 S was the first Z lens Nikon announced, so is it still the best option? Is the First Z lens now the worst value? If you’re new to Nikon and the Zf, lenses can be an overwhelming decision, so today I’ll walk through all my favourite Z lenses for street photography in one video. I’ll compare my pick for street - the 35mm f1.8 S - against 7 Nikon lenses - all first party full-frame autofocusing primes. Street photographers usually only go as wide as 28, and as tight as 50, but today we’ll stretch the boundaries slightly. I’ll rank each lens by optical performance as well as suitability for street.
My Go-To Lens for Travel: Dreamy Vs Reality? Nikon 85mm f1.8 S vs Sirui 85mm f1.4 Aurora
It took 100,000 frames on my last Japan trip, before I realised the Nikon 85mm f1.8 S had become my go-to travel lens for the Nikon Zf. 85mm is common, f1.8 nothing special, but to date none of the other options beat Nikon at anything other than price. Sirui’s 85mm 1.4 is the first third party 85 offering something more than just a bargain, but is dreamy rendering the best choice for travel photography? I want to capture the surroundings in a way that best matches my memories, because once the trip ends I’m forced to come back down to reality.
The Lens that made me an Impostor | Sony 50mm f1.4 GM
This search took me a decade, but last year I finally found it. My favourite lens of all time. A technical masterpiece - everything I could have wanted in a lens.
The problem? This lens is so good it made me feel like an impostor.
Creative Anxiety? | Sony 35mm f1.4 GM
Sony’s flagship 35mm f1.4 GMaster. The sharpest detail coupled with the creamiest bokeh, quick and silent autofocus. Every button, switch, and ring you could want right on the lens, weather sealed gaskets to protect it against rain, dirt, and dust. All of this in a small compact form factor, especially for a bright f1.4 aperture which will take you from day to night without missing a beat. It’s supposed to be a perfect lens, but you want to know a secret?
I absolutely hated it when it first came out.