Nikon releases the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
Sep 16, 2021
Nikon has announced the release of the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2, a compact and lightweight prime lens compatible with full-frame (Nikon FX-format) mirrorless cameras for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted. The beautifully lyrical NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is an everyday superhero: sharp, fast, and small enough to wield discreetly, it’s great for everything from vlogs to vibrant snapshots.
This bright, standard prime lens offers a natural angle of view that is ideal for candid portraits, interviews, and how-to videos. Without a big lens in their face, subjects will feel more comfortable, and the lens is so small and light that it’s ideal for filming engaging first-person perspectives too.
The wide Z mount combines with the lens’ wide f/2 maximum aperture to deliver great low-light performance, ideal for capturing the mood of dimly lit situations. The rounded 9-blade aperture enables soft, natural-looking bokeh: photographers and movie shooters can capture images with softly blurred, super-creamy backgrounds that really make their subject stand out.
Rob Harmon, Senior Commercial Lead, Nikon Northern Europe, says: “We are thrilled to welcome this versatile prime lens into the ever-growing Nikon Z system. This lens is a great value-for-money entry point into the world of Nikon Z. It’s so compact and lightweight that it’s ideal as a main walk-around lens or a lightweight second lens.”
Summary of key features: NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
Bright f/2 standard prime lens: 40 mm angle of view on Z series full-frame cameras. 60 mm angle of view on a Z series DX-format camera.
True to life: the lens renders stills and movies with beautiful detail, depth, and colour.
Artful bokeh: putting subjects in sharp focus against beautiful, softly blurred backgrounds has never been easier.
Great up close: minimum focus distance of just 0.29 m. Sharpness is superb, even up close.
Fast, silent autofocus: powered by an ultra-quiet stepping motor and enhanced by the additional light gathered by the Z mount, focusing is fast, accurate—and silent.
Made for video: videos won’t be ruined by focusing sounds. Focus breathing is dramatically reduced so you can adjust focus without affecting the shot’s angle of view.
Pocketable: small enough to keep on the camera or slip into a coat pocket.
Adaptable: the silent control ring can be set to control focus, aperture, exposure compensation, or ISO.
Protected: sealed to protect from dust and water droplets.
Comment / David Raedeker BSC / member of the BSC sustainability committee