SUMMARY
Nikon offers three 35mm prime lenses for its Z mount, with the f/1.4 and f/1.8 S models showing a smaller performance gap than their specifications suggest. While both lenses exhibit comparable sharpness in the frame's center, the f/1.8 S lens demonstrates superior sharpness in the corners. Despite this, the f/1.4 lens is favored for street photography due to its lower cost, identical size and build to the f/1.8 S, and an extra two-thirds of a stop of light gathering capability. This wider aperture helps maintain lower ISO in low-light conditions, which is often more critical for walkaround use than marginal corner sharpness.
TAKEAWAYS
Nikon's 35mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 S lenses perform similarly in the center of the frame.
The f/1.8 S lens offers better corner sharpness than the f/1.4.
The f/1.4 lens is recommended for street photography due to its lower price and wider aperture.
Corner sharpness differences are magnified on high-resolution sensors but may not be visible in normal viewing.