Nikkor Z 40mm f2 'Ultra Compact Prime'

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 | Interchangeable lens for Z mirrorless cameras

 

It's still quite physically long for such a lens. Anyone remember the 45mm f2.8 GN?

 

However, compared to my Sigma 40mm f1.4 it is truly tiny!

Cheap enough I suppose. For a bit of fun. But I can't see it in a professional user's armoury. And is 'street' photography a viable market these days? When everyone and their cat documents their every breath with a selfie?

 

Talking of which: The second 'demo' photo in that Nikon link shows a fisheye reflection (?) in a crystal globe, by all appearances. And yet no sign of a camera in the reflection. Good trick!

Cheap enough I suppose. For a bit of fun. But I can't see it in a professional user's armoury. And is 'street' photography a viable market these days? When everyone and their cat documents their every breath with a selfie?

 

Talking of which: The second 'demo' photo in that Nikon link shows a fisheye reflection (?) in a crystal globe, by all appearances. And yet no sign of a camera in the reflection. Good trick!

It's not a reflection, but an image taken through the globe. And the camera, or rather lens, is reflected in the lower left of the globe.

Great! And if not made in a dictatorship, I’ll be the first in line to buy it.

I think the bit in the press release, about half way down..

 

Shoot after hours.

The larger Z mount draws even more light gathering performance from the wide f/2 aperture. Capture the mood of dimly lit situations with clarity and sharpness, and use faster shutter speeds to freeze action without sacrificing brightness.

 

....might be pushing it bit as it's almost the slowest Z prime they've made apart from the Z 28mm f2.8 (SE) and the macros....;)

The larger Z mount draws even more light gathering performance from the wide f/2 aperture

I didn't know that mount diameter (within reason) had an influence on light gathering ability?

I didn't know that mount diameter (within reason) had an influence on light gathering ability?

I didn't either.....;)

I suppose that a larger mount would allow a larger rear element, which could mean the exit rays are near perpendicular to the sensor, which would improve light gathering on a digital sensor in the corners.

 

But I haven't seen a picture of the rear of this lens yet...

Why is it not an S lens? 35mm was a favorite PJ lens. I got one late in my film days and never really used it. Never needed it with digital since it's in the middle of almost any kit lens. Not sure what this one offers since it's in the middle of my kit zoom and really too close to 50 mm. We need some longer Z mount primes; not sure why they focused on this.

We need some longer Z mount primes; not sure why they focused on this.

Focused? Really.....:p

 

It's not as if there are many mid range primes in the roadmap, apart from the 85mm f?, probably an unafforable f1.2..... until you reach the 400mm f2.8

 

I guess the 100-400mm could be a constant f4, but that's gonna be a monster. Mind you, this is the same company that thought a 120-300mm 2.8 was a 'good idea'.....:eek:

 

Why is it not an S lens?

There's an MTF graph of this lens somewhere and, sadly, it's no-where good enough to be an S lens. You might as-well get the 35mm 1.8 S and crop to taste.

But I haven't seen a picture of the rear of this lens yet...

Good call..

 

It's gotta pretty tiny entrance pupil, but the lens cross section does indeed show a very wide rear element. (Blue is an Aspheric element) to, as you say, make it more telecentric.

 

A lot of complaining.

 

Nikon's main focus in primes for mirrorless cameras has been in wide angle and normal lenses as these benefit the most from the Z mount's short flange back distance and wide mount and also they lead to ergonomically sensible and balanced body+lens combinations which are compact.

 

The old manual focus 45/2.8 is one stop slower and has no autofocus motor. It makes more sense to compare more similar products. Among autofocus lenses, which less expensive lenses with full-frame coverage are sharper, faster and more compact than the 40/2?

 

I really like the concept of this lens and the example images. Less brutally sharp than S line primes; pleasing images from an affordable and small lens.

 

I already have the 35/1.8 S but there is no doubt I will get these compact primes. I love it that there are now lenses of similar size to the AF 35/2 but without the optical problems.

 

I think these lenses will help sell a lot of compact Z bodies like the Zfc, Z50, Z5 etc.

Edited September 14, 2021 by ilkka_nissila

The S-line "prime" lenses are the higher-quality lenses. Those f1.2 are of course in the $2000+ range, and the f1.8 ones are between $500 to $1000. They have more elements are better corrected optically, and some of them have dual AF motors for better AF performance; hence they are also larger/longer. The 40mm/f4 and 28mm/f2.8, both non-S, are more the "economy" models that are far more compact, and they are priced more in line with the F-mount, f1.8 AF-S lenses. Hopefully Nikon will continue to expand both the S-line and the compact line of Z-mount lenses. It is good to have choices.

40mm/f4

It's slow, but not THAT slow......:D

Now, if they were to follow up the 28/2.8 and 40/2 with, say, a 90mm f2.8 (or even f4?) that was similarly small, that would be interesting...

90mm f2.8 (or even f4?) that was similarly small, that would be interesting...

or maybe a Z version of the 135mm f2.8 AiS (or even Series E)

It's slow, but not THAT slow......:D

Oh shoot, I am not supposed to disclose such info.

 

Just kidding. :cool:

The larger Z mount draws even more light gathering performance from the wide f/2 aperture.

Are they saying the Z mount sucks? (light)

 

And Samyang jumped on the small, cheap and lightweight mirrorless lens bandwagon months ago. Their 24mm and 35mm f/2.8 lenses are tiny and have reasonable IQ. There's an f/1.8 version of 35mm lens that's not much bigger either.

Edited September 16, 2021 by rodeo_joe|1