NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8
Launch MSRP
$300- Weight
- 155g
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Min focus
- 0.19m
- Max mag.
- 0.20×
- Formula
- 9E / 8G
- Released
- 2021
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 155g
- ⌀ × length
- 70.0 × 43.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.9 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.19m
- Max magnification
- 0.20× (1:5.0)
Optical character
The Z 28mm f/2.8 is Nikon's low-cost wide prime: 43mm long, 155g and about $300 at launch. It is meant to stay on the camera for everyday snapshots, travel and street work, and it gives a 42mm-equivalent view on DX bodies.
The design is simple (9 elements, 2 aspherical), but a multi-focusing system keeps AF quick and quiet and helps close up, where it focuses to 0.19m for 0.2x magnification. The centre is sharp from f/2.8, the corners need stopping down. This is the modern black version; the SE is optically identical.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers call it a solid performer for the money rather than an S-line optic. The centre is sharp wide open, while full-frame corners are only fair to good at f/2.8 because of field curvature, and improve stopped down without ever fully catching up.
Vignetting is heavy at f/2.8 and needs about three stops to disappear, and there is some coma and focus shift. Flare can appear with the sun in frame. AF is quick, quiet and fine for video.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the price, size and weight, and many bought it as a first prime for a Z5, Z6 or Z50. AF is praised for being silent and dependable.
Complaints mention the plasticky feel, no hood in the box, corner softness on high-resolution bodies, and the lack of an aperture ring. Most say it is worth it for the money.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Small and light (155g)
- +Inexpensive
- +Sharp centre wide open
- +Quiet AF suits video
- +Dust and drip resistant
Weaknesses
- −Weak corners on full frame
- −Heavy vignetting at f/2.8
- −No hood supplied, plain build
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.9
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.0
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.9
- Flare Resistance
- 7.4
- Build / Sealing
- 7.0
- Value / Size
- 9.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 28mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 9 elements in 8 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 7 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM (multi-focusing) |
| Minimum focus | 0.19m |
| Max magnification | 0.20× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 155g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 70.0 × 43.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀52mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Launch MSRP | $300 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_28mmf28/
- nikon.com/news/2021/1118_lens_01.htm
- imaging-resource.com/news/2021/11/17/nikon-announces-the-standard-version-of-its
- cameralabs.com/nikon-z-28mm-f2-8-review/4/
- photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z-28mm-f-2-8/2
- sansmirror.com/lenses/lens-reviews/lenses-for-nikon-z/nikon-28mm-f28-lens-
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 vs Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 vs NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE)
- VSNIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 vs AF 28mm F1.8 Z
- LaowaArgus
Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF (Nikon Z)
28mmF1.2- WT
- 562g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $599
MFRING·DC - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE)
28mmF2.8- WT
- 160g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.19m
- MSRP
- $300
AFWR - Viltrox
AF 28mm F1.8 Z
28mmF1.8- WT
- 367g
- FLT
- ⌀55mm
- MFD
- 0.37m
- MSRP
- $379
AFRING
