Nikon has released a new, updated version of this roadmap for the ever-growing range of Z-mount lenses. The new schedule for the range of lenses for its mirrorless cameras was released quietly at the same time as the official announcement of the Nikon Z 6II (opens in new tab) and Nikon Z 7II (opens in new tab) earlier this week.
New additions to the line-up are 400mm and 600mm supertelephotos, alongside a second 85mm portrait prime. There are no more details available than that as to the specification of these new lenses – or any indication as to when they might come. But the fact that they are being teased now, would suggest that we will see them appear sometime next year.
We would guess that the supertelephotos will be "long tom" professional-spec models, that provide the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 that are in the standard arsenal of professional sports and wildlife photographers. That would also tie in with the rumors of an upcoming professional full-frame mirrorless model – very possibly to be called the Nikon Z9 (opens in new tab) – which is rumored to arrive next year with 8K video capability, alongside 46MP stills shooting at upto 20 fps.
There is always the possibility that Nikon will borrow the approach that Canon has taken recently with its launch of the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM (opens in new tab) and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM (opens in new tab) – which provides affordable supertelephoto primes for the masses (retailing at under $1000 each).
The specification of the new 85mm lens is probably easier to identify. Nikon already has a Z 85mm f/1.8 S on sale – which would make us pretty confident that its companion will be an Z 85mm f/1.4 S – offering the wider maximum aperture that professional portrait.
There are now 16 lenses actually available for the Nikon Z mount, with a further 11 promised on the updated Z lens roadmap.
There are now five full-frame camera models in the Z range, plus the DX-format Nikon Z50 (opens in new tab).
Read more:
• Best full frame mirrorless cameras (opens in new tab)
• Best Nikon cameras (opens in new tab)
• Best professional cameras (opens in new tab)
• Best Nikon Z lenses (opens in new tab)
• Nikon Z lens roadmap (opens in new tab)
