NIKON Z 8 (38mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO360)

About a year ago I jumped into the Nikon Z system. I already wrote my first impressions about my lenses. Now it’s time to update my findings.

In case you missed my first Z-lenses review where I compared those lenses to lenses from Canon or Fuji you can find it here.

Here is a list of my lenses so far:

• Nikon Z 14-24mm F 2.8 S
• Nikon Z 24-120mm F 4 S
• Nikon Z 20mm F 1.8 S
• Nikon Z 26mm F 2.8
• Viltrox AF 28mm F 1.8 Z
• Nikon Z 40mm F 2.0
• Nikon Z 50mm F 1.8 S

The list is rather long and still incomplete at the same time. No long lenses so far at all. The reason: the only big vacation since the switch to Nikon was Japan and for that I didn’t plan to bring a long lens. So only short prime lenses and two zooms so far.

Here are my “second” thoughts after the first year, zooms first:

NIKON Z 8 (40mm, f/8, 1/50 sec, ISO500)

Nikon Z 14-24mm F 2.8 S

I can keep this short. This is a fantastic lens. I always thought that soft corners are 50something you need to live with on ultra wide lenses. Not true. This is an outstanding lens that produces sharp and vibrant images. Its design and built quality is impressive too. I would not mind if the OLED display wasn’t there but the zoom mechanism is super smooth and the lens shade locks in place perfectly. As good as it gets. My best lens overall. If very wide angle is important to you this is the lens to get. It’s as simple as that.

 

Nikon Z 24-120mm F 4 S

A big surprise. I think it is the first 24-120 lens that is really good across the whole range. Even at 120mm it is sharp in the centre, only contrast is slightly lower wide open. The range of course is perfect and if you are not into real wide angle this could be the only lens you would ever need. That said: There is a difference in between very good and perfect. The 14-24 images look different, simply better. It’s not only about sharpness. There is a certain clarity, they look more vibrant. There is no need to pixel peep. It’s easy to see.

The 24-120/4 is a very good lens and it is brilliant as a travel lens but I might still check out the Z 24-70mm F 2.8 S someday in the future. I guess that lens would render more like my 14-24/2.8.

 

NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/4, 1/50 sec, ISO100)

Nikon Z 20mm F 1.8 S

This is difficult. I love and hate the lens at the same time. I’m aware that those are strong words but like and dislike doesn’t cut it. Of course I love its image quality which is flawless.  Like the 14-24 this is as good as it gets. But unlike the 14-24 which I think is rather compact for what it is the 20/1.8 is big and heavy. It’s also comically long. The whole design also handles awkward. I have large hands but I have problems to mount this lens because of the focal ring that covers almost the entire body of the lens if freely rotating. A very strange design. The Z20/1.8S is like a regular 20/1.8 with an integrated FTZ adapter and I hate that. It’s a shame. I really like the focal length but I would much more prefer a compact 20mm F 2.8 or even F3.5. The Z 20mmF2.8 S is almost as big as the Z 24-120mmF4 S (see image above) and that’s too big for a wide angle prime lens.

The Z 14-24mmF2.8 S is not that much bigger and heavier which makes the 20/1.8 even harder to justify. Not sure if I will sell it but I would happily swap it if Nikon would make a slower, more compact version.

 

Nikon Z 26mm F 2.8

Maybe the sleeper lens in the Nikon Z lens line. I like the focal length and of course I love that this lens is so compact and light. It barely sticks out of the camera. AF is fast on my Z8 and AF noise is a non-issue for photography. Yes, there is vignetting wide open but the lens is sharp even wide open AND up close thanks to the special design. Initially I was hesitant to get this lens because it was too expensive for what it is but I was wrong. It has become one of my favourite Z lenses.

Highly recommended lens and an absolute no brainer if you are shooting with an Zf.

 

Viltrox AF 28mm F 1.8 Z

My only Z-lens so far that is not from Nikon. I like the focal length but now the Z 26mm F 2.8 is close enough that the Viltrox doesn’t see a lot of use. It has become a pure environmental portrait lens where the faster aperture is an advantage over the small Nikon. Optically it is good and I really like the way it renders.

It’s really a good lens but it is now overshadowed by the Z26/2.8.

 

Nikon Z 40mm F 2.0

Optically this is my weakest lens for Nikon Z but it is not a bad lens at all. It just shows how excellent the Z-lenses are. The biggest issue with the 40/2 is that it is soft wide open and up close. Even at portrait distance the 40mm is a little soft. But there is a good subject isolation and Bokeh looks nice. AF is silent but it focuses a little slower than my other lenses and I experienced occasional focus hunting in poor light. That is only compared to my other Nikon Z lenses, compared to my Fuji gear AF is very good. For the money the lens is a steal.

I understand that Nikon wanted to keep the price down but a plastic mount is still not a nice thing to have on a prime lens. With a metal mount this lens would cost maybe 50-100.-Euros more. It would still be cheap for what you get in return.

 

Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 S

Sharp even wide open with very nice Bokeh. I never thought that I would write that about a 50mm F1.8. Back in the SLR or DSLR days 50/1.8 were the cheapest lenses to get. Even 50/1.4 lenses were poor performers and only got somehow sharp at f2.8 or f4. Well, times have changed. The Z 50mm F 1.8 S is excellent. It’s almost too good if that makes any sense. It performs more like a good 85mm only that it is 50mm. Like the 20/1.8 the lens is too big/long.

I still prefer my Fuji XF 35mm F 1.4 R with all its imperfections and slow AF even though the Nikon is vastly superior technically. Maybe the Z 50mm F 1.4 would be closer to my Fuji lens.