Nikon said it has a new wide-angle prime lens coming to its Z line next month — the Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S.
Due in the second half of October at an MSRP of $999.95, the latest Z-mount offering is being touted as an able lens for shooting stills and video with the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 mirrorless cameras. The combination of a f/1.8 maximum aperture, wide angle of view and large (55mm) Z-mount is said to make the lens a low-light performer with an edge in night shots and astrophotography. Nine rounded aperture blades provide attractive circular bokeh.
Addressing video capture specifically, Nikon said the lens has “near-silent stepping motors,” reduced focus breathing, a customizable control ring for aperture and exposure compensation, and compatibility with the Z series cameras’ built-in five-axis image-stabilization.
Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S
Inside the housing are four aspherical lens elements and a low-dispersion glass element to reduce chromatic aberration. Elements have been treated with Nikon’s anti-reflective Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and flare. Nikon characterized the lens as “dust and drip resistant” for “tough weather conditions.”
“The Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S continues our commitment to offering exciting prime lenses to Nikon Z 7 and Z 6 users while also providing [the] exceptional level of quality achieved by the S-Line of Nikkor Z lenses,” said Nikon EVP Jay Vannatter in a prepared statement. “The combination of wide-angle perspective and a fast f/1.8 aperture is optimal for all types of photography including landscapes, making the Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S a must-have lens to unleash the full potential of the Nikon Z series.”
Also announced today by Nikon were an upcoming pro DSLR offering called the D6 and a new AF-S Nikkor 120–300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR F-mount lens. The company said the still-in-development D6 will be Nikon’s “most advanced DSLR to date” but announced literally nothing else about the camera or the new Nikkor F-mount lens. Expect them in 2020.
