I love how good Nikons current lenses are, specially the cheaper ones. A 300 Dollar lens that performs that good on a 45mp camera is incredible, even thou i still hate that "clean" minimalist design of these modern lenses. Gimme at least a yellow ring!
Just incase anyone is thinking of getting this lens. Just get it! It's really handy to throw it in your bag and its a great performer. Im used to shooting the S-Glass lenses and this performs well above its price point. Really useful to have it on you especially if you are just on a day out somewhere, having a wide option in the bag you don't notice carrying is just more encouragement to shoot more frames.
I've used this with extension tubes a lot for macro shots. It remains really sharp stopped down and the wider angle gives a less typical perspective for macro.
"Pretty natty" 😂 I'm excited about this lens and the new 40mm. I think it might convince me to get into Nikon if it's quick to focus, or they develop a slightly smaller entry level FF camera.
I have to say for the price of this lens (if you get the non-SE version, which has the same optics) it's a great little lens if you want something that goes light and don't mind the slower aperture and slightly wider angle of view over the standard 35mm 1.8 S lens, although the 35 is probably much sharper wide open, but that lens is about 3x as much as this lens. If would say if you're doing portrait work or serious street photography, maybe get the 35, but for casual shooters, the 28mm (either one) is a good option and seems to perform very well, in fact quite surprising for a $300 lens. To the part about it not being an f/2 lens, I think this would have required it to be a bit larger (diameter, and possibly longer as a result) and a bit heavier and expensive. I think for its intended use (general street photography, possibly some landscape photography and an all-around inexpensive pancake) it does a good job at that. Plus, I think at 28mm it's borderline perhaps too wide to get the really nice out of focus backgounds that you could get even on a 35mm so that may be a few reasons why this lens is not an f/2 (the 40 f/2 might be better for this ,despite it's longer FL). But my guess is that it came down to cost mostly. An f/2 version likely would have added another $100 or so to the price. I would buy the SE version if it had a click-able aperture ring, and too bad Nikon did NOT do this because that would be perfect for that style of lens (the non-SE lens, obviously not). I would probably get the SE to be honest in case I did get a Zf or Zfc though as it would match a bit better (not that the non-SE lens stands out like a sore thumb on those bodies, but the retro styling does go better with the retro body design obviously).
My Canon EF-S 24MM STM lens is similar in principle and is a great walk around lens. Pancake lenses are super discreet and can produce great quality images.
I’m still waiting for the full frame version of the Z fc. This nikon lens it’s impressive to be a kit lens. You can’t get this quality from the Sony kit lenses sadly
I'm a modern photographer so I don't really go for retro designs with cutting edge digital sensors. If I wanted retro I'd get a couple Nikon Fs. Nice review though. Thanks!
Hi Christopher, nice review as always! Do you have any considerations also regarding coma? I know it’s not a super fast lens but it may be interesting to try some nightscapes with it. Thanks!
Thanks for your thorough and clear reviews Christopher! I dithered for a long time before deciding to snag one of these - I had tried one in a shop and wasn't very excited. But, after looking at reviews like this one, I thought I'd give it a go. I've completely changed my mind - I love it on my Z6 - very light and capable. I got the regular model though, I think it suits the new Zs better.
really liked that picture of the menu setting around 5:15. maybe consider including that in all of your reviews? not that it would make anything technical better but it would be just another little piece to bring your reviews from perfect without noticing it to noticeable perfect nonetheless keep up the amazing work!👍
I just get this one and love image quality of this len . It's provide more saturate color and contrast compared to 24-70 f4s and surprisingly fast af than i expect. Overall it's worthwhile every penny you paid.
Nikon hit the right spot when they decided to produce a vintage looking camera and lens. But why apsc, I wish also the 35mm or ff sensor. Although being the this 28mm able to fit a ff sensor they may produce another vintage looking camera with a ff sensor, maybe with few video features but monochrome.
I'm curious, with the plastic lens mount, wouldn't it naturally have a bit of weather sealing because water tends to bead on plastics as opposed to flow to creases and crevices like they do with metal? I ask because Nikon claim drip and dust resistance, and I think that little plastic shroud on the mount is why they claim that.
Water has a high surface tension, so I am never too worried about some droplets even with unprotected lenses, if plastic or metal. And as plastic is made out of oil, maybe that helps for repelling better. The high pressure between mount and lens and maybe a little bit more softness of the plastic mount compared to the stiff metal might help for compensating some tiny uneven parts. I would assume the creases of metal lenses are not the problem because typically they are circular with the mount. Overall, as there are millions of different plastic mixtures we might never know if that mix of the 28mm would really help at the end ... but with their claim, maybe they considered this compensation intentionally
Your reviews are always great, no one goes in so much depth as you. But if I may suggest something - does not apply to this specific video, but in general - it would be great if you could please mention in reviews, whether the camera and/or lens firmware is updated to their respective latest versions, because this is something super important. Some issues you mention on some videos for example, can sometimes be corrected in more recent firmware updates.
Great suggestion - this should be mandatory. In fact you'd think manufacturers would require it so that potential customers viewing an older review might be aware that, say, autofocus is much better now because the review they are watching pertains to an old firmware.
@@Bill-NM Right. I have the XF 18-55mm which I use on the Fuji X-T4 and on the review video, there was flickering while you zoomed in, while being used on the X-E3. The lens was presented as having issues with flickering due to the variable aperture control. But in fact it does not exhibit the same behavior on other Fuji cameras...
picked that one up today for 170€ to go on my Z6. Killer deal ! I don't much care about the retro look, it's a very good small and compact lens for walk around, it keeps a full frame camera light and that's really appreciated !
This confirms ff lenses perform better on crop cameras in terms of corner sharpness since your using more if the sweet spot of the lens. Take that tony.
This is great. Usable on both DX and FX Z bodies. 28mm and 40mm will be 42 and 60mm on DX. Usable focal lengths. However, DX needs a 19mm to have a true 28mm.
I wish Nikon would produce a Z7 in the style of the ZFC (so in the style of their iconic old film cameras). 20 MP on APS-C just leaves a bit to be desired imo. On another note, it would be highly interesting to see how it performs in comparison to the old 28mm lenses from Nikon. These from the 1980 are supposed to have still fantastic image quality but are also hopelessly overpriced.
It centainly looks nice. but with the plastic fantastic ZFc, it's really a plastic fantastic combo. DF, being the first in the retro style Nikon digital camera series, still had metal finish on it. ZFc being plastic is probably cutting down too much
I’m curious about your thoughts on Nikon’s 28-300mm full frame lens for DSLRs, I’ve seen a few video reviews about it but they weren’t anywhere near as thorough as your reviews.
Good review! I brought the lens and tried out. I didn't get the same results. Maybe I am not using the lens in the right situation. I tried for landscape and close-up and I thought that the color was not sharp on the Z5.
Great Chris! But I really, really wish u would finally start adding tests of sunstars (not electric lights, the real sun) in your reviews! Please give me a like, so Chris can see it, if u are on my same opinion. Greetings
He did. Just search Nikon 40mm 2.0 Z and it is the first video. The 40mm is a great lens for the money and almost as sharp as the 50 1.8 in my opinion.
From what i saw on youtube reviews that 24mm F1.8 from viltrox is really good, really close to the nikkor Z 24mm F1.8 in image quality, but it's also bigger than the 28 F2.8 ( 87mm and 370g vs 43mm and 155g ).
At 4:23 you state the Zfc is less demanding than the Z7... The 21MP DX sensor is exactly identically demanding as the 45MP FX is. If you go super precise the Zfc is actually more demanding having a pixel pitch of 4.2, while the Z7 comes in at 4.35 :D
We're spoiled on E mount with the inexpensive Tamron 20mm/24mm/28mm F2.8 trio. th-cam.com/video/WV8XIhxh5xM/w-d-xo.html Ideally Nikon and Canon would bless third party lenses to really strengthen their lineups.
nikon df is still the better camera, probably the best most usable thing if u dont want video. I do want video so I hold off. Prices on the df are still high.. why? because its got a top sensor.
Price of the Nikon Df remains high due to demand. You can't really get a good and fair comparison between the Df and Zfc since they are two different formats.
Oh, it's plasticky. When I saw it paired with Zfc I thought it would be like Fujifilm lenses in build quality. It's a shame because it looks like the old Nikon F mount lenses from the past.
not sure how you can recommend this unit... largely plastic, f/2.8 max aperture... not super crisp across the frame wide open... seems to me you are becoming less judicious. Regards!
Optically it performs well and it’s less than $300. Seems to deserve a recommended despite the plastic mount, no? It’s so light the plastic mount is a non issue.
It is an excellent performer for the price perhaps you could point me to a 28mm lens that costs less than £300 that does better ? If you don't want the faux retro look the the optically identical lens costs nearer £250. In real world use close up test charts are not what wide angle lenses are designed for it works very well.
@@jimstirling7223 sure. if you're a hobby photographer, I agree. If you're trying to stay a step ahead of the competition professionally, no. By your standard then, every lens has some value and should be recommended. I guess I was under the impression recommendations were given on objective performance criteria for the price. Fuji has a 27mm for not much more that's better.
@@M.Redsky the Fuji 27 is a crop lens and doesn’t perform as well in a few areas… and is more expensive. For what it is it’s a great performer, also don’t think the lens’ intended audience are pros looking for the best.
I love how good Nikons current lenses are, specially the cheaper ones. A 300 Dollar lens that performs that good on a 45mp camera is incredible, even thou i still hate that "clean" minimalist design of these modern lenses. Gimme at least a yellow ring!
Just incase anyone is thinking of getting this lens. Just get it! It's really handy to throw it in your bag and its a great performer. Im used to shooting the S-Glass lenses and this performs well above its price point. Really useful to have it on you especially if you are just on a day out somewhere, having a wide option in the bag you don't notice carrying is just more encouragement to shoot more frames.
I've used this with extension tubes a lot for macro shots. It remains really sharp stopped down and the wider angle gives a less typical perspective for macro.
'Macro Landscapes'
Interesting..
major style points. i love the look of those vintage nikkor lenses
"Pretty natty" 😂
I'm excited about this lens and the new 40mm. I think it might convince me to get into Nikon if it's quick to focus, or they develop a slightly smaller entry level FF camera.
Dear Mr Frost, thank you for your detailed reviews
I can't wait to see the review of the new nikon 17-28 z
Just got this lens on sale for $270 USD. It's awesome on my Z fc.
Thank you so much! Really waiting for info on this lens.
I have to say for the price of this lens (if you get the non-SE version, which has the same optics) it's a great little lens if you want something that goes light and don't mind the slower aperture and slightly wider angle of view over the standard 35mm 1.8 S lens, although the 35 is probably much sharper wide open, but that lens is about 3x as much as this lens. If would say if you're doing portrait work or serious street photography, maybe get the 35, but for casual shooters, the 28mm (either one) is a good option and seems to perform very well, in fact quite surprising for a $300 lens.
To the part about it not being an f/2 lens, I think this would have required it to be a bit larger (diameter, and possibly longer as a result) and a bit heavier and expensive. I think for its intended use (general street photography, possibly some landscape photography and an all-around inexpensive pancake) it does a good job at that. Plus, I think at 28mm it's borderline perhaps too wide to get the really nice out of focus backgounds that you could get even on a 35mm so that may be a few reasons why this lens is not an f/2 (the 40 f/2 might be better for this ,despite it's longer FL). But my guess is that it came down to cost mostly. An f/2 version likely would have added another $100 or so to the price.
I would buy the SE version if it had a click-able aperture ring, and too bad Nikon did NOT do this because that would be perfect for that style of lens (the non-SE lens, obviously not). I would probably get the SE to be honest in case I did get a Zf or Zfc though as it would match a bit better (not that the non-SE lens stands out like a sore thumb on those bodies, but the retro styling does go better with the retro body design obviously).
28mm for me is the best allround focal-length on APS-C. (But 23mm would also be fine)
I love the 27mm on my fuji, they're always together
My Canon EF-S 24MM STM lens is similar in principle and is a great walk around lens. Pancake lenses are super discreet and can produce great quality images.
Waiting for this one. Thank you for this😊👍
I’m still waiting for the full frame version of the Z fc. This nikon lens it’s impressive to be a kit lens. You can’t get this quality from the Sony kit lenses sadly
Will Nikon deliver a full frame Z Fc?
You could always get the Nikon DF
@@EternalScary not getting Nikon probably ever. Prices in my country are higher than Sony. For example z9 is 900 usd higher than A1
Great review. I'll be getting this lens!
I'm a modern photographer so I don't really go for retro designs with cutting edge digital sensors. If I wanted retro I'd get a couple Nikon Fs. Nice review though. Thanks!
Nikon, I'm still hoping for FF version of zfc or rangefinder style FF. Put 40f2 and it'll be a compact brilliant performer.
Hi Christopher, nice review as always! Do you have any considerations also regarding coma? I know it’s not a super fast lens but it may be interesting to try some nightscapes with it. Thanks!
U are so right!!!!
Thanks for your thorough and clear reviews Christopher! I dithered for a long time before deciding to snag one of these - I had tried one in a shop and wasn't very excited. But, after looking at reviews like this one, I thought I'd give it a go. I've completely changed my mind - I love it on my Z6 - very light and capable. I got the regular model though, I think it suits the new Zs better.
really liked that picture of the menu setting around 5:15. maybe consider including that in all of your reviews? not that it would make anything technical better but it would be just another little piece to bring your reviews from perfect without noticing it to noticeable perfect
nonetheless keep up the amazing work!👍
Great Streetphoto Lens, sharp with f.8. Like wide lens for Street, 24mm is to wide 28 is Perfect.
Love this focal length and this seems okay
Have been waiting for a review of this one for a while, thanks Chris! Looks like a great lens for what it is.
I just get this one and love image quality of this len . It's provide more saturate color and contrast compared to 24-70 f4s and surprisingly fast af than i expect. Overall it's worthwhile every penny you paid.
God, the Llangrannog tractor!! That thing has been creating a stir recently. Wasn't expecting to see it whilst searching lens reviews 😂
Nikon hit the right spot when they decided to produce a vintage looking camera and lens. But why apsc, I wish also the 35mm or ff sensor. Although being the this 28mm able to fit a ff sensor they may produce another vintage looking camera with a ff sensor, maybe with few video features but monochrome.
For what it's worth, the exterior design of this lens actually started in the mid 1970s.
I'm curious, with the plastic lens mount, wouldn't it naturally have a bit of weather sealing because water tends to bead on plastics as opposed to flow to creases and crevices like they do with metal? I ask because Nikon claim drip and dust resistance, and I think that little plastic shroud on the mount is why they claim that.
Water has a high surface tension, so I am never too worried about some droplets even with unprotected lenses, if plastic or metal. And as plastic is made out of oil, maybe that helps for repelling better. The high pressure between mount and lens and maybe a little bit more softness of the plastic mount compared to the stiff metal might help for compensating some tiny uneven parts. I would assume the creases of metal lenses are not the problem because typically they are circular with the mount. Overall, as there are millions of different plastic mixtures we might never know if that mix of the 28mm would really help at the end ... but with their claim, maybe they considered this compensation intentionally
Your reviews are always great, no one goes in so much depth as you. But if I may suggest something - does not apply to this specific video, but in general - it would be great if you could please mention in reviews, whether the camera and/or lens firmware is updated to their respective latest versions, because this is something super important. Some issues you mention on some videos for example, can sometimes be corrected in more recent firmware updates.
Great suggestion - this should be mandatory. In fact you'd think manufacturers would require it so that potential customers viewing an older review might be aware that, say, autofocus is much better now because the review they are watching pertains to an old firmware.
@@Bill-NM Right. I have the XF 18-55mm which I use on the Fuji X-T4 and on the review video, there was flickering while you zoomed in, while being used on the X-E3. The lens was presented as having issues with flickering due to the variable aperture control. But in fact it does not exhibit the same behavior on other Fuji cameras...
picked that one up today for 170€ to go on my Z6. Killer deal ! I don't much care about the retro look, it's a very good small and compact lens for walk around, it keeps a full frame camera light and that's really appreciated !
apsc or ff lens??
@@angelrodriguez1406 it's a full frame lens
This little thing impressed me! Looks better than the 40mm f2. I think i will wait for a 28mm 1.8s to be released, though.
This confirms ff lenses perform better on crop cameras in terms of corner sharpness since your using more if the sweet spot of the lens. Take that tony.
damn that camera x lens combo is sexy looking.
This is great. Usable on both DX and FX Z bodies. 28mm and 40mm will be 42 and 60mm on DX. Usable focal lengths. However, DX needs a 19mm to have a true 28mm.
I wish Nikon would produce a Z7 in the style of the ZFC (so in the style of their iconic old film cameras). 20 MP on APS-C just leaves a bit to be desired imo. On another note, it would be highly interesting to see how it performs in comparison to the old 28mm lenses from Nikon. These from the 1980 are supposed to have still fantastic image quality but are also hopelessly overpriced.
Zf? ; )
Thanks for the review!
Top notch review as always.
Looks like a great compact lens.
On their website they say it is weather sealed
cheap and quality wide angles are pretty rare. I like this one.
i have it, sweet lens
Did you take any sunstar images with this lens, there were none in the video?
Looks nice but would have been so much nicer at F2. A little bigger but it would have been great.
I agree. F2.8 on apsc is not very interesting.
I'm curious your thought process to include coma testing in some lenses and exclude it in others. I find it quite useful!
It centainly looks nice. but with the plastic fantastic ZFc, it's really a plastic fantastic combo. DF, being the first in the retro style Nikon digital camera series, still had metal finish on it. ZFc being plastic is probably cutting down too much
I’m curious about your thoughts on Nikon’s 28-300mm full frame lens for DSLRs, I’ve seen a few video reviews about it but they weren’t anywhere near as thorough as your reviews.
Good review! I brought the lens and tried out. I didn't get the same results. Maybe I am not using the lens in the right situation. I tried for landscape and close-up and I thought that the color was not sharp on the Z5.
God I love this channel
Can you do a review of the Nikon 17-28mm F2.8 Z lens and compare that to this Nikon 28mm F2.8 SE Z lens?
As a family photographer, I would be interested know how its pictures compare to the 16-50 kit lens.
I still prefer shooting on my Nikon Coolpix A for the same result but in a significantly smaller package
The plastic lens mount is a deal breaker for me. Nice review as usual.
Great Chris! But I really, really wish u would finally start adding tests of sunstars (not electric lights, the real sun) in your reviews! Please give me a like, so Chris can see it, if u are on my same opinion. Greetings
Please review the 40mm!!!
He did. Just search Nikon 40mm 2.0 Z and it is the first video. The 40mm is a great lens for the money and almost as sharp as the 50 1.8 in my opinion.
Should have been 1.8 and with apeture ring.
how about NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 vs Nikkor Z 28mm F2.8 (SE) ?
next time do it , i am waiting for it
Thanks, Christopher. What do you think of the ZFC build quality? Does it feel cheap, flimsy and very plasticky?
As long as prices are, and stay, LOW, I have no problems with plastic being used in lens builds.
I still do not get it! How do you play the piano, and do a lens review at the same time?
For DX user's, I can't see any advantage over the DX 16-50mm zoom.
good for weddings paired with 85?
Thanks for the review, Christopher. In your opinion, which would be optically superior for full frame, this or the Viltrox 24mm 1.8?
From what i saw on youtube reviews that 24mm F1.8 from viltrox is really good, really close to the nikkor Z 24mm F1.8 in image quality, but it's also bigger than the 28 F2.8 ( 87mm and 370g vs 43mm and 155g ).
At 4:23 you state the Zfc is less demanding than the Z7...
The 21MP DX sensor is exactly identically demanding as the 45MP FX is. If you go super precise the Zfc is actually more demanding having a pixel pitch of 4.2, while the Z7 comes in at 4.35 :D
I'm not sure I'd buy this.
I have the old 28mm series E lens that looks exactly the same, I might confuse them 😂
Is the sharpness on a 24 mp z6 ii more like the 20 mp camera or the full frame?
Umm is it just me or is the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) hard to put on the Z9 camera body....still haven't gotten it on :(
LOL never mind I was trying to put it on my cannon lol 😬
A focal length isn’t exciting by itself. You are the one using them. If you can’t compose with a 28mm it isn’t the lens fault.
instantly used the adapter for the real 28mm f2.8 Ai full metal lens😅
Ok, so if they made an already cheaper version... why didn`t Nikon made this one with a metal mount for 20€ more? It makes no sense.
SE vs Non SE difference?
How about the Fujifilm 27mm f2.8?
yo uploaded incredible !📹
Samyang 135 1.8 sony pretty pleaseeee
We're spoiled on E mount with the inexpensive Tamron 20mm/24mm/28mm F2.8 trio. th-cam.com/video/WV8XIhxh5xM/w-d-xo.html
Ideally Nikon and Canon would bless third party lenses to really strengthen their lineups.
Yes, Brent. If Nikon produces a new native compact 20mm F2.8, that would be a great trio with the current Nikon 28mm F2.8 and 40mm F2 dynamic duo.
100 yay
1:03
wrong
it was obviously design for the nikon Zf
nikon df is still the better camera, probably the best most usable thing if u dont want video. I do want video so I hold off. Prices on the df are still high.. why? because its got a top sensor.
Price of the Nikon Df remains high due to demand. You can't really get a good and fair comparison between the Df and Zfc since they are two different formats.
28? Not Exiting? Excuse me?
is this a dx lense
No full frame
More voigtlanders please thanks !
Hi 👋 it's me 👨
i hate plastic mount so much
Oh, it's plasticky. When I saw it paired with Zfc I thought it would be like Fujifilm lenses in build quality. It's a shame because it looks like the old Nikon F mount lenses from the past.
first
can I use it with F2(film camera)?
Too plasticy for me
Nikon sniffed the potato a little too long here. Large sensor and small but sloooooow glass. Reversed Leica vibes. Brrr. Pass.
not sure how you can recommend this unit... largely plastic, f/2.8 max aperture... not super crisp across the frame wide open... seems to me you are becoming less judicious. Regards!
Optically it performs well and it’s less than $300. Seems to deserve a recommended despite the plastic mount, no? It’s so light the plastic mount is a non issue.
It is an excellent performer for the price perhaps you could point me to a 28mm lens that costs less than £300 that does better ? If you don't want the faux retro look the the optically identical lens costs nearer £250. In real world use close up test charts are not what wide angle lenses are designed for it works very well.
@@jimstirling7223 sure. if you're a hobby photographer, I agree. If you're trying to stay a step ahead of the competition professionally, no. By your standard then, every lens has some value and should be recommended. I guess I was under the impression recommendations were given on objective performance criteria for the price. Fuji has a 27mm for not much more that's better.
@@M.Redsky the Fuji 27 is a crop lens and doesn’t perform as well in a few areas… and is more expensive. For what it is it’s a great performer, also don’t think the lens’ intended audience are pros looking for the best.