Nikon Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX
50mm equivalent (2025 ~ today)
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
Z9 Z8 Z7II Z6III Z6II Zƒ Z7 Z6 Z5II Z5 ZR Zƒc Z50II Z50 Z30
Z System Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses Flash
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX (52mm filters, 7.8 oz. (220g), 0.5' (0.16m) close focus, 0.67× macro ratio (1.0× eq.), $447). bigger. I ordered mine at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
October 2025 Better Pictures Nikon Z Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses All Nikon All Reviews
MICRO-Nikkor AF-D 200mm f/4 IF ED on FTZ/II
Introduction top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
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This is a fast normal lens which also has extremely close focussing. It's for Nikon's DX mirrorless cameras, which as of October 2025 are the Z50 II, Z50, Zƒc and Z30. Full-frame cameras will automatically crop their sensors, which means that it will seem to work normally, but throws away just over half of your pixels! It's silly to use on full-frame; use it on a DX camera for the best results, and as of October 2025, the Z50 II is Nikon's best.
It has no stabilization, but it does focus extremely close.
This isn't a serious macro lens because it's so short that you will have to get so close for real close-ups that you'll block your own light. Use this as a general purpose lens that will let you get very close if you need it now and then.
For serious macro use, get the Z 50mm f/2.8 Macro, the Z 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro or ideally the MICRO-Nikkor AF-D 200mm f/4 IF ED on an FTZ/II, but the 200mm f/4 becomes manual focus on the FTZ/II.
This is a handy little lens for general use if you value close-focus and speed (f/1.7) over the flexibility of a zoom.
I ordered my Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
New intro top
35mm version of the Z 24mm f/1.7 DX or DX version of the Z 50mm f/2.8 Macro, more or less.
Adds super close focus to the Z 24mm f/1.7 DX.
Good intro top
Compensating aperture system: the aperture you see and set gives the same, accurate exposure regardless of focus distance.
Small.
Light.
Handy focal length.
Very close-focusing.
Fast f/1.7 - obviously.
Bad intro
No AF/MF switch.
No Stabilizer switch.
Missing intro top
No Image Stabilizer.
No Stabilizer switch for in-camera stabilization.
No AF/MF switch.
Mounting index dot is the same white as everything else, so it doesn't stand out when you need to find it to mount your lens.
Specifications top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I ordered my Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Compatibility
This lens works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.
It does not so much as even mount on any other camera.
Name specifications top
Nikon calls this the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7:
NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for almost all their lenses since 1932.
Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras, only.
DX: Only covers smaller cropped sensors, otherwise uses only half the pixels of an FX camera.
MC: Macro (close-focussing) lens.
VR: Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization).
It also has:
AF-P/STM: Stepper (Pulse) autofocus motor.
Aspherical: Specially curved glass elements for sharper pictures.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
∅52: 52mm filter thread.
Nikon's Model Number: 20131.
Optics specifications top
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX Internal Optical Construction. Aspherical ED element.
8 elements in 7 groups.
1 Aspherical ED element: magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced axial secondary chromatic aberration with a special shape for sharper pictures.
Nikon Super Integrated multiCoating (SIC).
Diaphragm specifications top
9 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Maximum and Minimum Apertures specifications top
At infinity: f/1.7 ~ f/16.
At close focus distance (0.5'/0.16m): f/3.2 ~ f/22.
This is normal; every lens becomes slower at higher magnifications, but it only matters at macro distances and only some macro lenses correctly indicate this, as does this lens.
Historically Nikon has indicated this correctly, which often led to naïve customers and retail counterpeople returning lenses they mistakenly thought were defective when their f/2.8 lens wouldn't open wider than f/4.7 at 1:1.
Filters specifications top
Plastic 52mm filter thread.
Focal Length specifications top
35mm.
When used on DX cameras, it sees the same angle of view as a 50mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View specifications top
44º diagonal on DX.
Autofocus specifications top
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infinity Focus Stop specifications top
No.
You have to focus somehow to get precise focus at infinity, just like at every other distance.
Depth of Field Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infrared Focus Index specifications top
No.
Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane) specifications top
0.53 feet (6⅓" or 0.16 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio specifications top
1:1.5 (0.67×).
(1.0× equivalent)
Minimum Subject Size specifications top
24 × 36mm.
Reproduction Ratio Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Optical Image Stabilizer specifications top
NONE.
Caps specifications top
Nikon LC-52B 52mm front cap, part number 4244 with gloss black NIKKOR logo, included.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, included.
Hood specifications top
None mentioned.
Case specifications top
None; use a tube sock.
Size specifications top
2.76" ø maximum diameter × 2.83" extension from flange.
70 mm ø maximum diameter × 72 mm extension from flange.
Weight specifications top
7.8 oz. (220 g).
Announced specifications top
12:02 AM, Thursday, 16 October 2025, NYC time.
Promised for specifications top
October 2025.
Included specifications top
Nikon LC-52B 52mm front cap, part number 4244 with gloss black NIKKOR logo.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap.
No hood and no case.
Nikon's Model Number specifications top
20131.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
16 October 2025 (Introduction)
$447 at B&H and at Adorama.
Performance top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I ordered my Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Ergonomics performance top
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Nikon Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX. bigger. |
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX. bigger. |
The rubber ring is programmable, usually set in your camera to manual focus by default.
No AF/MF switch.
Use whatever Fn or other button is assigned to Focus Mode, and then use that. Alternately, the Focus Mode is usually an option at the 𝒊 button.
No Stabilizer switch for in-camera stabilization.
Use the menus to control the stabilizer.
Sharpness performance top
Nikon's MTF at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm. Sagittal (radial) shown as solid lines. Meridional (tangential) shown as dashed lines.
While it's usually valid to compare rated MTFs between different lenses of similar vintage from the same maker, every maker measures or simply calculates MTF very differently, and therefore one cannot compare these curves between brands. For instance, Sony seems to ignore diffraction and simply calculate overly optimistic MTFs that hug 100%, which no real lens can do at f/8, while other brands are more realistic and include diffraction. Only Canon offers any insight on how they arrive at their curves.
See also my article on MTF and Canon's article on MTFs.
Recommendations top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I ordered my Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Personally I don't need f/1.7 and I prefer the broader zoom range of the Z 18-140mm DX VR, but for folks trying to stop action and moving subjects with a very handy lens with super-close focussing, here you go! Bravo Nikon!
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap (exactly like an iPhone) so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.
The very best protective filter is the Multicoated Hoya HD3 52mm UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints. It's expensive, but it will last forever long after this lens is gone.
For less money, the classic Nikon 52mm NC is superb, as are the multicoated B＋W 010 MRC and multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt. I still use my classic Nikon 52mm L37c (multicoated 370 nanometer UV) filters because I bought them back in the 1980s when they were the best, and they never wear out. Putting a 1980s 52mm L37c on this new lens gives a tip of the hat to when Nikon ruled the photography world.
If I was working in nasty, dirty areas, I'd use an uncoated 52mm Tiffen UV filter instead. Uncoated filters are much easier to clean, but more prone to ghosting.
All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 50 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s!
I ordered my Z 35mm f/1.7 Macro DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
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