CP+ 2019: Finally - Nikon has cut a Z Noct 58mm 0. 95 in half The past couple of years haven't seen the veritable cornucopia of Things That Have Been Cut In Half that we used to see at CP+, but here and there, scattered around the show this year are some good examples of the waterjet cutters' art.
The definite highlight is a bisected Nikkor Noct 58mm 0. 95 S, which has been keenly awaited by Nikon fans since it was announced at the launch of the Z system last August. Wait for it. . . .
CP+ 2019: Finally - Nikon has cut a Z Noct 58mm 0. 95 in half
. . . . here it is, in all its glassy glory. Nikon has released very few details of the lens' specifications, but we do know that it features a new ARNEO coating technology and at least one large, ground aspherical element. Intended to continue the legacy of the now-legendary original Noct-Nikkor of decades past, Nikon has designed this ultra-fast prime for ultimate image quality above all other considerations.
CP+ 2019: Finally - Nikon has cut a Z Noct 58mm 0. 95 in half
The Noct will be a manual focus lens, which shouldn't come as all that much of a surprise now that you've seen how much glass Nikon has packed inside it. Accordingly, almost half of the total length of the lens is taken up with a large, knurled focusing ring and a clear, widely-spaced engraved focus scale.
It's unclear whether the focus will be 'focus by wire', but we can't see any evidence of a focus actuating motor in the schematic, which suggests that the Noct might - possibly - use a conventional mechanical helicoid. Are you an expert at reading schematics? Let us know in the comments.
CP+ 2019: Finally - Nikon has cut a Z Noct 58mm 0. 95 in half
In addition to the engraved focus scale, the 58mm Noct also features a control ring, and a similar OLED display as the Z 24-70mm F2. 8 S, which we saw yesterday. On that lens, the screen can be switched between various informational displays, but it's unclear what (apart from shooting aperture) might be shown on a fixed focal length short-tele lens with a permanent focus scale.
CP+ 2019: Finally - Nikon has cut a Z Noct 58mm 0. 95 in half
Shown here attached to a Z7 it's obvious that the Noct is shaping up to be a very big, and we suspect quite weighty lens. So big in fact that it features an integral tripod collar. And beyond Nikon's promise that it will "take advantage of the advanced design flexibility afforded by the Z mount [. . . ] offering the ultimate in NIKKOR rendering performance with superior detail and sharpness" that's about all we know about the Noct, for now.
Pricing and availability are still firmly TBD, but we'll bring you more details as they become available.
. dpreview.com2019-3-1 11:20
