S-line: the pinnacle of NIKKOR lens engineering

Nikon Team •Technologie a know-how•24 pro 2024•3 minuty čtení

The ultimate in lens design and optical science, made possible by the Nikon Z mount

Camera technology is advancing all the time, with improvements in sensor capabilities, processing power and more. But the camera can only work with the light it receives, which is why lens choice is all-important for getting the best possible results.

NIKKOR lenses have been famous for more than 90 years for their quality, sharpness and optical innovation. At the pinnacle stand the S-line lenses for the Nikon Z mount, used by leading professionals all over the world to create timeless imagery.

Excellence has always been at the forefront of all NIKKOR lenses, but S-line lenses are held to an even higher standard at every stage of the process, from design to production, in the pursuit of perfection.

The possibilities of the Nikon Z mount

The Nikon Z mount is the key that unlocks what is possible in lens design for S-line optics. The wider mount and closer flange focal length from mount to sensor mean larger lens elements can be located closer to the sensor, enabling new ways to design and build lenses with higher optical performance. This means the freedom to design lenses such as the NIKKOR Z Noct 58mm f/0.95 S and the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, which push the boundaries of optical engineering.

The ultimate in lens design and optical science, made possible by the Nikon Z mount

The possibilities of the Nikon Z mount

Nikon Team

What’s in our kitbag?

Z6IIINext level, full-frame camera

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 SSmooth, silent, responsive

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 SCapture incredible detail

Superior bokeh and depth of field

From left to right: NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR, competitor lens

Přetáhnout

Using the advantages of the Z mount, in designing S-line lenses NIKKOR engineers have created products that offer greater resolution and sharpness across the entire image (even wide open), suppress chromatic aberration, allow superb, faithful rendering at close distance and create beautiful, natural bokeh. Plus, extensive dust and drip resistance on all S-line lenses make them trusted by pros everywhere to get the job done, even in the harshest of environments.

Faithful reproduction of point light sources

From left to right: NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR, competitor lens

Přetáhnout

Point light sources in night photography often have a tendency to fan out and look unnatural. S-line lenses address this by faithfully reproducing point light sources more accurately as point images, improving resolution and enhancing the bokeh characteristics of a lens.

Chromatic aberration correction

From left to right: NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR, competitor lens

Přetáhnout

Extensive coatings to reduce flare and ghosting

Proprietary coatings used in S-line lenses are anti-reflective and reduce ghost and flare caused by incidental light entering the camera.

Nano Crystal

Many S-line lenses feature Nano Crystal coating developed by Nikon. This virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of light wavelengths. It solves ghost effects caused by red light and reduces ghost and flare that occur when light enters the lens diagonally.

ARNEO

Some S-line lenses have with ARNEO coating for even further ghost/flare reduction. Developed exclusively for Nikon, this coating deals with incident light entering the lens vertically, allowing for outstanding, clear images even when a light source is within the frame.

Suppressing ghost and flare in backlight

From left to right: NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR and competitor lens

Přetáhnout

Fluorine

Professionals don’t just need lenses that deliver exceptional results, they also need them to survive the elements. Many S-line lenses also have a fluorine coating on the lens itself. This repels water, dust and grease and makes it easy to remove any particles on the surface. Fluorine also has anti-reflective properties, which add to the clarity of images.

Superior

NIKKOR S-line lenses are not just for stills. From the ground up, they have been designed for filmmakers. They are near silent in operation when autofocusing, and the control ring means smooth, silent and accurate manual focusing or changes in aperture. Focus breathing is all but eliminated.