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Everything We Know So Far About Nikon’s “Ultimate” Lens, the 58mm f/0.95 Noct

By Jessica Stewart on September 20, 2018

NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct mounted on Z7 camera.

When Nikon unveiled their new Z Series full frame mirrorless cameras, they also teased a lens that promises to impress. The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct takes advantage of Nikon's new Z mount to become the fastest lens in the company's history.

While full details will become available closer to the lens' release date, here's what we can tell you. The large aperture lens inherited its design and name from the AI Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1, a standard prime lens Nikkon released in 1977. “Noct” comes from the word nocturne and indicates its ability to perform well in low light conditions. The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is meant to represent the very pinnacle of the firm's new S-range lenses, which take advantage of the Z mount system for increased optical performance.

The manual focus lens “exemplifies Nikon's mission to pursue the ultimate optical performance in the mirrorless category.” To that end, Nikon is taking the utmost care in its development. Nikon is actively working to achieve an extremely fast maximum aperture of f/0.95, combining sharpness and detail with speed. Other goals include obtaining beautiful bokeh with continuity while maintaining superior point-image reproduction.

Early images of the massive lens show a small side display that will show information on aperture, focal length, and depth of field. The lens, like all others in the S range, will have a Nano crystal coat to address ghost and flare due to diagonal light. And, for the first time, a Nikon lens will also have a second, ARNEO protective coat to prevent ghosting and flare from vertical light. A fluorine coating will repel dust, dirt, and moisture, while a ground aspherical lens element will correct aberration.

For now, Nikon's timeline places the release of the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct in 2019. There's no official word on pricing, but rumor has it that the flagship lens will retail for around $6,000.