Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 review

The Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is a wide-angle trinity zoom with a difference, not least in price

5 Star Rating
Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

So-called ‘trinity’ zoom lenses with a relatively fast and constant f/2.8 aperture tend to be big, clunky affairs which are somewhat at odds with slimline mirrorless camera bodies, rather than their chunky DSLR forebears. And they’re also usually very expensive to buy. Following in the very capable footsteps of the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 standard zoom, this wide-angle counterpart is comparatively compact, lightweight and affordable, yet delivers excellent image quality and all-round performance. Bargain!

Pros

  • +

    Excellent image quality

  • +

    Compact and light for an f/2.8 zoom

  • +

    Short minimum focus distance

Cons

  • -

    Modest maximum field of view

  • -

    No L-fn button or extra control ring

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The Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 neatly picks up the baton from its Z 28-75mm f/2.8 sibling, with a seamless handover in focal lengths. Like the preceding standard zoom, this wide-angle lens was originally developed by Tamron, to suit Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. We’ve reviewed both of the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD very favorably in the past, the latter subsequently being available in a G2 (Generation 2) iteration. Nikon obviously knows a good thing when they see it, and have repurposed and rebadged both lenses for its Z-system line-up. We’ve given the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 a similarly sparkling review as the two Tamron lenses, so it’s interesting to see how the newer Z 17-28mm fares.

(Image credit: Nikon/Tamron)

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.