Is Nikon set to deliver its first DX macro lens of the mirrorless camera era? Two DX optics rumored

Nikon could be gearing up to release two DX lenses this year, a 35mm f/1.8 macro and 16-50mm f/2.8. Both lenses would surely be well received by DX fans, given the still relatively sparse smattering of native APS-C glass in the lineup of Nikon Z lenses.

Of course, any DX-format Nikon Z-Series camera can be used with full-frame FX Z-Series lenses (with a 1.5x crop factor). But the beauty of DX lenses is that they tend to be much smaller and lighter than their full-frame counterparts.

The Nikon Z DX 24mm f/1.7 is currently the only prime DX-format Z lens made by Nikon, meaning a 35mm f/1.8 would be a very welcome addition – especially as it would provide an equivalent 52mm ‘nifty fifty’ focal length. But it’s the “macro” designation I find most interesting, something the line-up is currently lacking. The full-frame Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is as close as you’re going to get, for now.

And while the Big N’s DX line-up already features the Nikon DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR, the same 24-75mm equivalent focal length with a fixed aperture would surely appeal to serious DX photographers who don’t want to sacrifice portability or blow their budget on a full-frame trinity lens.

The report by Nikon Rumors does make it clear that its source(s) said to expect these lenses “or similar” – so if these little lenses do come into fruition, they could differ slightly. Still, with the launch of the very well-received Nikon Z50 II at the tail end of last year, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that there’s more DX love heading our way from Nikon.

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Want more Nikon DX goodness? Here are the best lenses for the Nikon Z50 & Z50 II. Thinking of investing in your first mirrorless camera? Nikon Z50 II vs Nikon Z50: what are the differences? And finally, Sigma has made Nikon Z lenses… three, in fact!