Nikon has filled out the Z-mount lineup fairly rapidly and, in my opinion, pretty rationally. We have a range of lens options now that should allow you to do most of what you’d want to.
Yet the clamor for third party lenses certainly still exists, though it has died down from the original thunder.
So I did what I always do when trying to answer a question, and I dove into data. Removing any third-party autofocus lens that would be a perfect or near-equal match to what we already have from Nikon, here’s what I came up with as being able to “fill gaps” in the lineup:
- Samyang — 12mmm f/2, 14mm f/2.4 and f/2.8, 18mm f/2.8, 135mm f/1.8
- Sigma — 14mm f/1.8, 16mm f/1.4, 19mm f/2.8 (DX), 60mm f/2.8, 65mm f/2, 150-600mm f/5-6.3
- Tamron — 11-20mm f/2.8 (DX), 35-150mm f/2-2.8, 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3, 150-500mm f/5-6.7
- Tokina — 23mm f/1.4 (DX), 33mm f/1.4 (DX), 56mm f/1.4 (DX)
- Zeiss — 18mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.8
I’ve left out some near misses, such as wide angle zooms that use a different focal range than 14-24mm, such as 16-28mm. I’ve left out a number of common focal length f/1.4 primes, as Nikon already has f/1.8 ones and is augmenting that with f/1.2 ones. The lenses in bold are ones I’m pretty sure Nikon will have an answer for soon (the 200-600mm, for example).
Here’s what I’d say generally about the “gaps” in Nikon’s Z-mount system:
- DX (buzz) DX (buzz) DX (buzz) — Even for the three lower end DX cameras we currently have we’re missing at a minimum a wide angle zoom and a fast wider prime. But three lenses and three cameras does not make a system, Nikon. If Nikon doesn’t want to lose out to Canon, Fujifilm, and Sony in the crop sensor market, one heck of a lot of work still needs to be done in the DX lens scene.
- Wide primes — Sony has been blasting out wide angle primes lately, with at least three more coming. Samyang and Sigma have thrown their hats in the same ring. Nikon? Crickets. 10, 12, 14, 16, 18mm, nothing. Fisheye (round or full frame), nothing.
- Macro — Sure, we’ve got two macro lenses now, but 105mm isn’t enough focal length for live outdoor work, and 50mm means not lighting your subject you’re so close at 1:1. Plus we can’t go beyond 1:1. Macro used to be one of Nikon’s strengths, but it seems that the current bean counters in Tokyo believe it’s too niche a market to pursue correctly. Memo to bean counters: all that’s left in the market are niches ;~).
So, what would I have prioritized as next in the Z-mount? Here’s my top six wishes for new lenses (and not already on the Road Map):
- 16mm f/2 or f/2.8 rectilinear prime. Would settle for 14mm or 18mm for the time being, but 16mm is also a DX focal length.
- 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6 Micro-Nikkor. Prefer it to be 1:1 (unlike the old 70-180mm, which was 1:2).
- 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 compact telephoto. Some might say 70-200mm f/4, but I think we need the more flexible option first, particularly given the Z5’s importance in the lineup.
- 135mm f/1.8 prime. Anyone that’s used a fast 105mm or 135mm lens knows it has a place in the bag.
- 10-20mm f/4-6.3 wide angle DX zoom. Nikon says they’ll make a 12-28mm DX. I sure hope it turns out wider than that, particularly given the Z30 vlogging capability. I’d even settle for a really wide, but limited range, such as 8-14mm.
- 24mm f/1.2 prime. I know the 85mm and 35mm are destined for f/1.2, but I’d be more interested in wider focal lengths with fast apertures, 24mm f/1.2 is more of a gap than filling a 35mm f/1.2 would be.
We also have a few F-mount lenses that absolutely need to be brought over to the Z-mount:
- 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye. If you haven’t tried this DX/FX lens, you’ve been missing out on something.
- 19mm f/4 PC-E. My goto landscape lens these days. Just needs a rotating tripod collar in front of the shift.
- 120-300mm f/2.8. Wow. As sharp as the ultra sharp 300mm f/2.8, but it zooms!
- 500mm f/5.6E PF. Let future buyers lose the FTZ adapter.
Add the above 10 lenses to the current Road Map and where do you still find clear gaps? ;~).
Yes, I know that for many of you the promise of third-party lenses is equivalent lenses at a discount to Nikon’s offerings, or you favor f/1.4 apertures. I’m sure third party support will come at some point, but I think all of us should be more concerned that we get a truly full set of native lenses from Nikon.
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Bonus: That 26mm pancake on Nikon’s Road Map still intrigues me, as it’s not necessary for any current camera, and seems somewhat duplicative of the 24mm DX on the Road Map and 28mm f/2.8 already released. I’m still convinced that the 26mm pancake is going to appear with a very new, different camera, call it the Nikon Z1 Pocket (FX). The focal length seems to tell me that Nikon is targeting smartphone users with a mirrorless camera.
