NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

Early reviewers found it sharp in the centre at every focal length, with slight corner softness at 28mm f/4 that clears by f/8 and the best performance towards 135mm. Focus breathing is close to invisible and the lens holds focus through a zoom, which makes it effectively parfocal for practical work. Power zoom ramps are smooth and the speed options are useful for both slow creeps and fast reframing.

The drawbacks are weight and size for stills, the costly 95mm filters, f/4 rather than f/2.8 for low-light video, and AF that can hunt a little in poor light. Some testers noted bright-edged bokeh highlights. It is best judged against cinema and broadcast zooms, where its price is low.

Videographers using it on Z6III, Z8, Z9 and RED Z-mount bodies praise the internal zoom, the smooth zoom lever and remote control from apps, which suit one-person event and documentary crews. Many say it replaced a 24-70 plus 70-200 kit for interviews and run-and-gun work.

Stills shooters find it heavy and expensive for what it offers them. Other complaints are the f/4 aperture, the large filters and that some features need recent camera firmware.