The Ultra-Wide NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and Powerful NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Lenses Bring Groundbreaking Advancements in Optical Performance and Design to the Nikon Z Series
MELVILLE, NY (September 16, 2020) – Today, Nikon Inc. unveiled two exciting additions to the rapidly expanding NIKKOR Z lens lineup, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to the evolving Nikon Z series. These new full-frame S-Line1 lenses showcase the superior optical performance and capabilities of the Nikon Z mount for photographers and creators. The ultra-wide angle NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is the world’s shortest2 and lightest2 full-frame f/2.8 zoom lens with a 14mm field of view, enabling a versatile range to capture expansive views including cityscapes, landscapes, astrophotography and more. Meanwhile, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is the paramount fast-aperture prime lens engineered for optical excellence to help Z series users achieve unrivaled power, exceptional sharpness and show-stopping bokeh.
“This is an exciting time for Nikon lens technology as we lead the way in providing the most incredible optics available today,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The highly anticipated NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 and the powerful NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 lenses demonstrate the incredible innovation behind the Z series and the limitless possibilities of what our engineers are capable of achieving.”
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S: Broaden Your Horizons with the Essential Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens
The much anticipated NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is the shortest and lightest full-frame zoom lens of its kind, offering unique user benefits and incredible rendering capabilities across the wide zoom range. Joining the previously announced NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lenses, this lens completes the trinity of coveted fast aperture Z series zooms. The 14-24mm is a versatile lens that proves the optical superiority of the Nikon Z mount, producing excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, minimal distortion and exceptional photo and video capabilities for creators. The new optical design allows for a significantly shorter lens that is nearly 35 percent lighter than its predecessor, the popular AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8, making this lightweight lens ideal for a trek into the field. Meanwhile, its wide-angle zoom range offers video content creators a new option for capturing tack-sharp establishing shots, interiors or POV angles.
The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens is engineered to deliver unrivaled optical excellence and maximum usability. This thoroughly modernized lens design features a nearly flat front lens element, which allows the attachment of a threaded filter to the included additional lens hood (HB-97). This design provides users the ability to attach a Neutral density (ND) filter, as well as the new Neutral Color NC Filter 112mm or Circular Polarizing Filter II 112mm3, while a rear filter holder also accepts a trimmable filter gel. With the option to easily use multiple filter types, users can capture epic landscapes with greater versatility and flexibility in more lighting conditions than ever before. An excellent choice for photographing stunning night-time views, the 14-24mm lens delivers amazing low-light performance with a constant f/2.8 aperture and stellar point light reproduction capabilities that suppress sagittal coma and flare for tack-sharp stars and city lights.
The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm combines a robust design and reliable performance with custom controls, including a customizable one-touch shortcut button, EL Display panel and custom control ring, making controls and settings convenient and accessible. The optical formula includes four ED lens elements, helping to control chromatic aberrations, and capture fine details, including colors and lines, with consistent accuracy – a true benefit to those shooting interiors and architecture. Additionally, flare, ghosting and coma are suppressed, even with harsh backlight, thanks to the lens’ Nano Crystal Coat (N) and anti-reflective ARNEO Coat, while its robust fluorine coating and extensive weather sealing allow Nikon Z series users to shoot confidently in rugged and unpredictable environments. As an added benefit to videographers, the lens also features an electro-magnetic diaphragm, to help maintain smooth exposures as light changes.
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S: Immense Details. Exceptional Sharpness.
The new NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is Nikon’s fastest and most optically impressive AF prime lens yet, effortlessly balancing the combination of intense sharpness and dreamy bokeh. For pro-level creators that need powerful performance and versatility, the 50mm f/1.2 delivers a standard focal length with unrivaled sharpness, speed, and life-like clarity. With a bright f/1.2 aperture and premium S-Line engineering, the NIKKOR Z 50mm lens is the definitive and versatile prime for a range of photography styles including portraiture, street photography, landscapes, nightscapes and more.
The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens effortlessly achieves a soft and enchanting bokeh, with a circular background blur that is smooth and gradual when focusing for a natural “fall-off”. The bright f/1.2 aperture affords a dramatically shallow depth of field with beautiful subject isolation for stunning portraiture, while it also offers exceptional low-light performance. Maximizing the capabilities of Z series’ technology, the 50mm f/1.2 lens adopts stepping motors (STM) as well as a multi-focusing system4, enabling multiple lens elements to focus simultaneously for fast and precise autofocusing, even when shooting close-up or wide open. Furthermore, the lens’ ability to maintain stable exposure in changing lighting conditions, combined with its quiet operation and minimal focus breathing, establishes the lens as an appealing tool for video creators.
The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens tells a story of balance in design and functionality, seamlessly harmonizing intense resolution and velvety bokeh. The symmetrical optical design prevents light from being bent or distorted as it passes through the lens, meaning the purest, sharpest image reaches the camera sensor without any added distortion or aberration for true edge-to-edge sharpness. This innovative lens design also includes three aspherical elements to help virtually eliminate distortion, for superior resolution, point light reproduction and superb three-dimensional clarity. Designed for pro-level reliability, the NIKKOR Z 50mm is a superbly balanced lens constructed with robust weather sealing, a customizable control ring and shortcut button, as well as an EL Display panel to enhance workflow. Meanwhile, the lens is engineered with Nikon’s Nano Crystal and ARNEO Coating to minimize flare, ghosting and coma, allowing Z series users to confidently shoot in a variety of lighting scenarios, including harsh backlighting, to capture any scene with incredible sharpness and clarity.
Pricing and Availability
The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens will be available in November 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2,399.95*, while the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens will be available in December 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2,099.95*. For more information on the latest Nikon products, including the new NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lenses and the full Nikon Z series, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
Bodies change. These S lenses have been really fantastic.
Small but very good optical quality and weather sealed / internal zoom primes, great wildlife lens coming (200-600) and this 14-24 weights 200g less than Canon's 15-35.
I'm sure there are a lot that will prefer the 11 mm and the IS.
Couldn't agree any stronger. It's just a bit of a shame (to me) to see Nikon so far behind the pack. I was in love with the 850 back when I bought my 5D4 and if not for glass I think I would have owned that body and could very well have been a disappointed Nikon shooter when this big push to mirrorless began.
Great glass (always) and great images. I just happen to believe that their mirrorless line is a bit behind the curve.
(Still love my F2 )
Though... Is it just me or is that 50/1.2 about the size of a 135/1.8? Had to look up the RF 50/1.2 and it's similarly huge so I guess it is what it is and there are reasons (image quality is important, no question there) but still...
But I've seen enough discussions here that I can imagine which lens will sell better. But time will tell.
That is your opinion which I fully respect. But I am sure there are several more to one side or the other or even having a third or fourth opinion.
Question (to the companies) is how they found out via market research which lenses would give them the best market approach.
Canon went that and Nikon the other way.
It probably has more to do with the lens it is replacing in the non-mirrorless line, than anything about the larger market including shooters not on a Nikon platform.
Personally I have no interest in buying a 28-70/2 lens but I welcome Canons courage to make it.
Also they made a 15-35/2.8 IS out of a 100% trinity buy 16-35/2.8. Again some more courage.
If Nikon is right, that all the people loving the "old" 14-24 will get the new S lens they're fine - but they didn't add any extra mm or some IS, so they didn't show courage.
Courage? Courage is putting your life in harm's way to achieve something.
Signing-off a fancy lens for development and production doesn't involve courage because there's no risk to the individual or company. It might just end the year with slightly less money that it couldn't manage to spend ( i.e. profit )
Do you run a company?
Are you in charge of R&D or production invest?
If so I wonder that you are talking about that knowing that this could destroy a companys future.
E.g. doing wrong like Nikon 1 series. I am sure they still suffer from that. And because of that Nikon is playing safe.
If "courage" it the wrong word for you replace it by "entrepreneurship".
It's half-an-inch longer than the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II and only slightly lighter than the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART! o_O