Nikon has officially unveiled two lenses from its Nikon Z lens roadmap, with full specifications, pictures and pricing. The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is an ultra-fast prime lens designed for low light and bokeh, while the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S completes the set of three constant aperture f/2.8 pro zoom lenses that every professional photographer will look for in a high-end camera system.
The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is Nikon's first f/1.2 prime lens, and while it's not as fast as the celebrated NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, it's a much more practical alternative with autofocus and a more achievable price tag.
The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, meanwhile, joins the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S standard zoom and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR telephoto zoom to complete the the set of three 'trinity' lenses now regarded as the core of any professional camera system.
Nikon has now built a mirrorless system of four cameras, 16 native Z-mount lenses and two teleconverters, in little more than two years. The new lenses are designed to fit the full frame Nikon Z7, Nikon Z6 and the new Nikon Z5. They will also fit the APS-C format Nikon Z50 directly, though with a 1.5x crop factor.
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has been built to offer "incredible" resolving power, high performance autofocus, and all-round image quality. It will offer much more depth of field control than the existing NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S although, not surprisingly, it's a much larger and more expensive lens. It will, however, be a much more sensible option for bokeh fans than the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct.
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S key features
• Advanced optical construction with 17 lens elements in 15 groups, including two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements.
• Fast, smooth, quiet autofocus.
• Anti-reflective Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coating to combat ghosting and flare.
• Cinematic video footage with large maximum and focus breathing all but eliminated.
• Silent control ring, customisable Fn button, OLED information panel.
• Weather-sealing
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S price and availability
Sales of the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S start during Autumn/Winter 2020 and it will cost $2,099.95/£2,299.
• Pre-order the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S from B&H
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S joins the existing NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S as a bigger, faster, more professional alternative (though with a slightly shorter focal range). It means that the Nikon Z system is now fully up to speed as a professional camera system and that users can now choose between smaller and lighter lens options and full-on pro lenses.
Nikon claims "superb rendering performance", and while this is a pretty big lens by regular standards, it's said to be compact for its type and, in fact, the shortest full-frame ultra-wide zoom covering the 14mm focal length.
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S key features
• "Superior" optical performance "exceptional" edge to edge sharpness.
• Nano Crystal and ARNEO Coat to drastically reduce ghosting and flare.
• Extensive sealing around all moving parts of the lens barrel keeps dust and moisture out.
• Aluminium-alloy mount to reduce weight while increasing durability.
• Movie-ready, with smooth and silent autofocus, virtually no focus breathing or focus-shift while zooming.
• Takes 112 mm screw-on filters together with the included lens hood. A rear filter slot allows use of gel colour filters.
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S price and availability
Sales of the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S start during Autumn/Winter 2020 and it will cost $2,399.95/£2,499.
• Pre-order the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S from B&H
Read more:
• Best Nikon Z lenses
• Nikon Z lens roadmap
• Nikon mirrorless cameras and lenses
• Best Nikon cameras
