BEST FAST-APERTURE STANDARD PRIME

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S £2119/$2097 Tested in issue 122

WHAT WE LOVE

Sometimes bigger really is better. This lens is definitely no lightweight for a 50mm prime, tipping the scales at more than a kilogram, but its f/1.2 aperture makes it a real speed demon when shooting. That pays dividends every time you need fast shutter speeds to prevail under those very low lighting conditions, or a really tight depth of field for isolating the main subject against a fussy background. It has all of the same top-drawer handling extras as the trinity Z-mount zooms, so feels instantly intuitive, if you’re lucky enough to already have those in your kit bag, of course.

WHAT’S MISSING?

Bokeh isn’t completely flawless. Although it remains butterysmooth in most cases, defocused lights tend to take on an irregular shape towards the edges and corners of the frame.

WHY UPGRADE?

The cheaper Z 50mm f/1.8 S is a superb lens but if you really feel the need for speed, this lens wins out with its faster aperture and lovely smooth (if not perfect) bokeh.