A Lens Beloved by Nikon Users Could Get a Sweet Makeover

China-based third-party lens makers are making waves in the market. They have successfully reduced the price of the optics, while providing some wonderful images. SG-Image is one such brand, whose performance has won the audience over. It now appears that the company is introducing a new lens that Nikon users will adore.

In a brief post on Nikon Rumors, the article mentions that SG-Image is introducing a new retro-lens, which is a different version of the existing AF 35mm f2.2. While there are no details about the lens, and what it may cost, there are a few photos that the publication has sent.

The images above have been shared via Chinese social media platform Weibo and showcase a lens with a silver band. This seems like a departure from the all-black and all-silver lens the company introduced a while back. Moreover, the lens also seems to show a nod to Nikon Zf and Zfc cameras, both of which have a distinct retro aesthetic.

SG-Image’s original 35mm lens comes with a rectangular hood and weighs just 163g. Some of its other features include a 36mm length, a close focusing distance of 0.35m, and 7 elements in 5 groups. The lens also costs just $150.

In our review of the 35mm, we adored its size, the lens hood, and the snappy autofocus. What’s even more, it offered a good bokeh and depth of field fall off. As we added in our review:

At the end of the day, this pancake lens makes a strong case for itself not through technical perfection, but through practicality and charm. It’s small, affordable, and enjoyable, producing very good results. I’d say it also makes a fantastic gift for the photographer in your life who hasn’t yet explored the versatility of a 35mm lens. For those who already have, this is a reminder that sometimes the best camera gear is the one that encourages you to go out and shoot more, just like this lens made me do.

If the lens is indeed true, then it adds another offering for Nikon users. Viltrox is currently going through a patent dispute. This will push SG-Image as the main contender. It also means that SG-Image will have to thread the needle more carefully, given the legal confrontation.

For street, travel and documentary photographers, this will be a lovely addition to work with. A pancake lens can make full-frame an ideal offering that disappears int your bag. And with the retro version, you get a chic model that simply blends well with Nikon’s retro-leaning audience.

If the lens is priced under $200, then the 35m retro one could become the most popular offering ever for photographers. In fact, it could become the very thing that small-lens lovers will adore.