Gear

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S & Z 26mm f/2.8 “pancake” prime lenses unveiled

Nikon has provided the final specs for the two new Z lenses, the highly anticipated NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S, a professional-level ultra-fast prime lens and the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 “pancake” lens announced as in development back in January of this year.

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Lens

The Z 85mm is a portrait lens with an incredibly fast f/1.2 aperture (the first Nikon 85mm lens to do so) that delivers a shallow depth of field and gorgeous bokeh thanks to it’s amazing light-gathering capability.

The glass inside the lens consists of 15 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements and one ED element which effectively reduces chromatic aberration with the aspherical lens reducing spherical aberration, distortion, and other aberrations.

Additionally, Nikon says that “the use of ED glass suppresses colour fringing, while the position of lens elements is carefully considered to eliminate any kind of “onion-ring” characteristics.”

Similar to the (incredibly expensive) NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 NOCT lens, the optical construction of the lens also includes 11 rounded diaphragm blades, which Nikon says work together with the fast aperture to melt away point light sources into round and soft circles.

The lens also benefits from Nikon’s advanced multi-focusing system offering “enhanced optical performance” at close distances as well as rapid AF performance and a minimum focus distance of only 0.85m (2.8ft).


View NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Pricing and Availability at Vistek


This multi-focusing system consists of two small-diameter, high torque stepping (STM) motors that coordinate the positioning of the two focusing lens groups simultaneously while offering quiet, fast, and accurate operation with minimum focus breathing.

Nikon also says that the lens supports manual linear focusing on select cameras.

The body of the lens is constructed of durable magnesium alloy and is dust and drip resistant thanks to sealing applied to various areas of the lens.

Below are a couple of sample images taken with the lens


NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 “Pancake” Lens

Nikon says that the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 “pancake” lens is a wide-angle prime that is also the slimmest and lightest full-frame NIKKOR lens ever created.

Although it is a full-frame lens, it can also be mounted on Nikon Z DX-format cameras with the equivalent focal length changing to 39mm instead of 26mm.

The lens itself is incredibly compact with a total length of less than 23.5mm (1in) and a weight of approximately 125g (4.5oz).

According to Nikon, the slimness and lightness of the lens is possible thanks to the adoption of an all-element focusing system, in addition to three aspherical lens elements.

It boasts a minimum focus distance of approx. 0.2m (8in) allowing you to get close to your subject.


View NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 “Pancake” Lens Pricing and Availability at Vistek


Autofocus is powered by an STM (stepping) motor and functions such as aperture and exposure compensation can be assigned to the control ring.

The lens also Includes a new lens cap and a lens hood that Nikon says has been specially designed to be slim and work with 52mm filters.

Finally, the lens is fitted with a durable metal mount rather than a plastic one, and is also dust and drip-resistant.


Image Credits: Nikon