NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE)
Launch MSRP
$307- Weight
- 170g
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Min focus
- 0.29m
- Max mag.
- 0.17×
- Formula
- 6E / 4G
- Released
- 2022
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/2 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 170g
- ⌀ × length
- 71.5 × 45.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.29m
- Max magnification
- 0.17× (1:5.9)
Optical character
The 40mm f/2 (SE) is the same compact optical design as the standard NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2, wrapped in a heritage-styled barrel with a ribbed focus ring and silver accent ring modelled on Nikon's film-era manual lenses. It was made to match the Z fc and Zf, and at 170g it barely changes the balance of any Z body.
Optically it is a simple six-element design with two aspherical elements: sharp in the centre at f/2, softer at the edges until f/4, with warm, slightly vintage rendering. A stepping motor drives AF, the focus ring can be reassigned as a control ring, and the barrel is sealed against dust and drips despite the plastic mount.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers agree it delivers good centre sharpness from f/2 and solid results across the frame by f/4 to f/5.6, which is what the price and size suggest. Vignetting, lateral CA and distortion lean on in-camera corrections, and flare resistance is only average without Nikon's premium coatings.
Bokeh is smooth enough for portraits at close range but can turn busy with complex backgrounds. AF is accurate but slower and audibly louder than the S-Line primes. The overall verdict is that it is an excellent value for compactness rather than a lens for pixel-level detail.
Owner sentiment
Owners buy the SE mainly for looks on the Z fc and Zf, and say it makes the camera feel like a classic film body. Many treat it as a body cap that happens to take good pictures.
Complaints cover the plastic mount, a focus-by-wire ring that feels light, and the small price premium over the optically identical standard version. Some note focus noise is picked up in video.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Very small and light (170g, 45.5mm)
- +Low price
- +Dust- and drip-resistant
- +Good centre sharpness at f/2
- +Close focus 0.29m
- +Retro styling to match Z fc and Zf
Weaknesses
- −Plastic lens mount
- −Soft corners at f/2
- −AF slower and louder than S-Line primes
- −Average flare resistance
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.9
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.6
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.6
- Flare Resistance
- 7.3
- Build / Sealing
- 7.3
- Value / Size
- 8.7
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 40mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor (STM) |
| Minimum focus | 0.29m |
| Max magnification | 0.17× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 170g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 71.5 × 45.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀52mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Launch MSRP | $307 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_40mmf2_se/
- nikon.com/news/2022/1214_lens_01.htm
- en.pronews.com/news/2022121514531325.html
- kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/40mm-se.htm
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE) vs AF 40mm F2.5 LITE (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE) vs NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
- VSNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE) vs AF 40mm F2.5 Air Z
- 7ArtisansLite
AF 40mm F2.5 LITE (Nikon Z)
40mmF2.5- WT
- 90g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $159
AFRING - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
40mmF2- WT
- 170g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.29m
- MSRP
- $300
AFWR - ViltroxAir
AF 40mm F2.5 Air Z
40mmF2.5- WT
- 180g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.34m
- MSRP
- $168
AF
