Which Lenses Does Nikon Z Nonetheless Want?

Since the introduction of the Nikon Z System virtually seven years in the past, Nikon has executed a very good job filling out their lineup of mirrorless lenses. We now have 42 distinctive lens designs overlaying the primary necessities a photographer may have. But I wouldn’t say that Nikon’s Z lenses really feel “complete” fairly but, even taking third-party choices into consideration. What are we nonetheless lacking? Is there any probability we’ll get a few of these lenses quickly? I don’t have a crystal ball, however the next lenses are what I contemplate to be the largest remaining gaps within the Z System. Hopefully we see a few of them seem earlier than lengthy.

Specialty Lenses

So far, we’ve seen a few specialty lenses for the Nikon Z System – just like the Noct and the 28-135mm PZ – however I’d argue that it’s not sufficient. Specialty glass is usually exactly what makes on-the-fence photographers choose a model and turn into loyal fanboys for all times; they serve a objective even when they don’t promote too many copies. So, I hope that we begin to see among the following lens designs quickly.

• Tilt-shift lenses: Nikon has a possibility right here to beat each Canon and Sony by releasing a set of tilt-shift lenses for his or her mirrorless system. On the DSLR facet of issues, Nikon has 19mm, 24mm, 45mm, and 85mm tilt-shift glass. An analogous set of focal lengths can be ultimate for the Z system (though there’s definitely room to alter issues right here and there). Bonus factors if the brand new tilt-shifts have autofocus, though it’s not likely mandatory.
• A fisheye: A transparent sufficient scenario. Fisheyes aren’t tremendous common today, however there’s nonetheless an viewers for them, and Nikon will most likely must make a devoted Z System fisheye ultimately. (Most probably, will probably be one other zoom within the vein of the F-mount 8-15mm fisheye.)
• More PZ and/or cine lenses: Now that Nikon owns RED, they’re within the video world for the lengthy haul. As such, I believe it’s important to maintain constructing out their lineup of devoted video-oriented lenses. The most blatant selections can be some extra zoom lenses to enrich the 28-135mm f/4 PZ: a wide-angle and telephoto zoom, plus a midrange zoom with a quicker aperture. But I may additionally see a lineup of cine primes that makes use of standardized barrel development and prioritizes minimal focus respiratory. If I needed to take a shot at the hours of darkness, I’d predict that these will likely be among the subsequent specialty Nikon lenses we see.
• A specialty bokeh lens: Back within the day, Nikon’s 105mm f/2 DC and 135mm f/2 DC lenses allowed photographers to regulate the standard of the background and foreground blur utilizing a “defocus control”ring. More not too long ago, lenses like Canon’s 85mm f/1.2 DS have a smooth ND coating on an inside component to blur the perimeters of out-of-focus highlights. So far, Nikon doesn’t have any Z lenses with these kinds of options.
• An extended macro lens: It’s been ages since Nikon made a macro lens with a focal size longer than 105mm. Personally, I believe it’s time for them to introduce a 180mm, 200mm, or possibly even 300mm lens that may attain 1:1 magnification. This kind of lens isn’t even too specialty; virtually each macro photographer has needed, at occasions, an extended working distance with a view to keep away from scaring away skittish topics.
• An ultra-macro lens: This one is certainly extra area of interest, however I believe there’s a transparent marketplace for an EXIF-capable lens that may attain past 1:1 magnification. In truth, now we have already seen this with the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (which might attain 1.4x magnification), however that’s not sufficient. I’m envisioning a devoted ultra-macro lens within the fashion of Canon’s outdated MP-E 65mm f/2.8 that might solely focus within the vary from 1x to 5x magnification. Specialty, sure. But in the mean time, Nikon is ceding that floor to third-party firms whose lenses have critical limitations.
• A zoom macro lens: Looks like I’m on a macro lens kick right now! But the fact is that that is additionally an under-loved section of the market. Not since Nikon’s 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D from 1997 have they produced a zoom lens with “macro” within the title. And whereas it’s true that a number of Nikon zooms have better-than-expected shut focus capabilities (see Nikon’s Secret Macro Lens), we’re nonetheless lacking native 1:1 capabilities in a zoom. Maybe the marketplace for such a lens isn’t so large, though I’d level out that Sony’s 70-200mm f/4 Macro – which might attain 0.5x – was undoubtedly well-received. Nikon has an opportunity to one-up it by boosting the magnification a bit.

Wide-Angle Lenses

Nikon has a pleasant lineup of ultra-wides already for his or her mirrorless cameras (at the least on the full-frame facet of issues). Between the 14-24mm f/2.8 S, the 14-30mm f/4 S, the 17-28mm f/2.8, the 20mm f/1.8, and the 24mm f/1.8, it’s onerous to argue that there’s an excessive amount of lacking. That stated, trying to different producers for inspiration, there are a number of prospects that haven’t come to gentle but.

• Any sub-14mm lens: This might be probably the most urgent kind of ultra-wide lens that Nikon ought to add to their lineup. While I personally have little interest in something wider than 14mm, it’s clear that there’s a section of panorama, architectural, and even occasion photographers who respect the ultra-ultra-wide views. Sony already has a 12-24mm f/2.8, and Canon has a 10-20mm f/4, so we’ll most likely see a competitor from Nikon sooner or later.
• 14mm or 16mm f/1.8: Sony truly has each of those lenses already, so clearly they’ve decided that there’s at the least some market right here for a vibrant ultra-wide prime. Personally, I’d undoubtedly contemplate such a lens for Milky Way pictures. Sigma even has a 14mm f/1.4, though I believe the load and worth of such a lens makes it much more area of interest.
• 16mm, 18mm, and/or 20mm f/2.8: An ultra-light prime within the 16-20mm vary can be a compelling lens to pair with the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 and Nikon Z 40mm f/2 lenses. That stated, based mostly on the poor high quality of the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8, I’m unsure how possible it’s to take care of a excessive degree of picture high quality with such a lens.
• Ultra-wide to regular zoom: This class of lens remains to be unusual, however we do have at the least the Sony 20-70mm f/4 to serve for example. An analogous Nikon lens would make for a very good do-it-all zoom, doubtlessly permitting you to depart the devoted ultra-wide at residence.
• 20mm, 24mm, and/or 28mm f/1.4: Nikon began a lineup of f/1.4 primes for the Z System fairly not too long ago, and to date the widest one is a 35mm f/1.4. I anticipate that we are going to see one thing wider earlier than lengthy, with a 24mm f/1.4 placing me because the almost certainly. Both Canon and Sony have already got such a lens, and Nikon did as properly for the F-mount. But maybe we’ll get a distinct focal size as a substitute? Canon has a 20mm f/1.4, and Nikon has the famend F-mount 28mm f/1.4E, so these focal lengths are prospects as properly.
• A wider f/1.2 lens: This one is likely to be a stretch – it could definitely be heavy and costly, much more so than the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S – however it could be fairly candy to see a 24mm f/1.2 or 28mm f/1.2 one among today.

Normal Lenses / Short Telephotos

This is the realm that Nikon has fleshed out probably the most, so there’s not an excessive amount of lacking within the realm of regular lenses and brief telephotos. But there are a number of gaps that may be good to fill.

• 24-105mm f/2.8 S: Nikon already has two midrange f/2.8 zooms, however they max out at 70mm and 75mm respectively. Judging by Canon’s RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L, including extra attain on the telephoto lens leads to a critically heavy and costly lens. Nevertheless, it’s such a helpful mixture of focal size and aperture that I’m certain some photographers have jumped to the RF System only for that lens. I believe Nikon ought to goal to compete with it if they will.
• 28-70mm f/2 S: Canon and Sony each have a 28-70mm f/2 lens at this level. And though it’s a wild kind of lens – critically costly and hardly small – it feels prefer it’s lastly time for Nikon to launch a zoom that’s quicker than f/2.8. I don’t notably care if Nikon’s model can also be a 28-70mm f/2, or in the event that they push issues additional with a 24-70mm f/2 or a 28-70mm f/1.8. The backside line is that such a lens could possibly be a convincing flagship zoom, and I believe it needs to be one thing for Nikon to prioritize quickly.
• 75mm f/2.8: At the second, Nikon is lacking an affordable, light-weight telephoto prime to enrich the Z 28mm f/2.8 and Z 40mm f/2 lenses. Anything round 60mm to 85mm can be logical, most likely with a most aperture of f/2.8 however probably f/2.
• 85mm f/1.4: Not a lot to say about this one – it’s virtually definitely a lens that Nikon is growing already, and will probably be a helpful complement to the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 and Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 when it arrives.
• 105mm f/1.4 S: The F-mount model of this lens is one among Nikon’s most beloved brief telephotos. I’d like to see it be part of the Z System. Alternatively, a 105mm f/1.8 or 105mm f/2 could possibly be an attention-grabbing alternative if Nikon desires to prioritize lighter weight.

Telephoto and Supertelephoto Lenses

Nikon has among the finest supertelephoto lineups of any firm in the mean time, however there’s nonetheless room for a number of extra. The following lacking lenses stand out to me probably the most.

• 70-200mm f/4 S: If you’ve ever heard me speak about this matter earlier than, you knew this one was going to return up. To me, this has been the largest and most evident omission in Nikon’s mirrorless lineup since day one. Somehow, virtually seven years into the Z system, we nonetheless don’t have a light-weight telephoto lens with S-level picture high quality! Meanwhile, Canon, Sony, and even Panasonic have a 70-200mm f/4 lens (Sony already has two), so I can’t actually consider that it could be a foul vendor. Such a lens can be the best complement to the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S and Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S, forming a trio of small however high-quality f/4 zooms – serving to fulfill the promise of mirrorless to be extra moveable than DSLRs with out sacrificing high quality.
• 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6: I discover it shocking that Nikon made so many lenses like this for the F mount, and never a single one for his or her mirrorless cameras. The excellent news is that Tamron does have such a lens (the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3), and it’s not a foul performer. But I believe that Nikon can do higher.
• 200mm f/2: There was a current rumor – fairly properly confirmed – that Laowa is producing a 200mm f/2 lens with autofocus for Nikon Z (launch date not but recognized, however we’ve already seen leaked pictures of it). I’m fairly enthusiastic about testing it, however I believe Nikon missed a possibility to beat Laowa to the punch. Their F-mount 200mm f/2 lenses have been all the time somewhat area of interest, however very helpful for the photographers who appreciated them.
• 300mm f/2.8: This one most likely goes with out saying, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly one of many largest gaps nonetheless left within the Z System. The 300mm f/2.8 is a basic lens for a lot of causes, not least of which as a result of it’s quite a bit lighter and smaller than one thing like a 400mm f/2.8. (See Sony’s impressively moveable FE 300mm f/2.8 GM for proof.) I’d be shocked if Nikon isn’t engaged on this lens already. But will it have a built-in teleconverter, and can it compete with Sony’s model in portability? Also – is there an opportunity that Nikon will skip the 300mm f/2.8 prime and simply make it a zoom?
• 500mm f/4: Another common F-mount telephoto design that can most likely make its method to the Z System ultimately. The 500mm f/4 is an efficient steadiness between attain, most aperture, and portability. It’s additionally more likely to be considerably inexpensive than the Z 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses. Maybe Nikon will make it an f/4.5 as a substitute of an f/4 to save lots of much more weight and worth.
• Anything longer than 800mm: A focal size of 800mm is already overkill for a lot of conditions, and I’d personally simply use a teleconverter within the uncommon occasion that I wanted one thing longer. But not all photographers will agree. If Nikon decides they need to compete with Canon’s RF 1200mm f/8 L, possibly we’ll see them cross the 800mm barrier for the primary time in a very long time.
• An unique supertelephoto zoom: The precise focal size and aperture for such a lens is difficult to invest, however two choices may embody a 120-300mm f/2.8 and a 200-400mm f/4. Or possibly we’ll see one thing even crazier like a 300-600mm f/4 to compete with Sigma’s. In any case, I assume that Nikon is already engaged on an unique supertelephoto zoom and is simply attempting to nail down the main points. My prediction is that it’s going to have a built-in teleconverter. (Remember that Nikon’s first lens with an built-in TC wasn’t for the Z system in any respect; it was the AF-S 180-400mm f/4E TC.)
• A 1.7x teleconverter: I can’t say that I anticipate to see this one any time quickly, primarily as a result of the 1.4x and a pair of.0x combo that Nikon already presents might be lots for nearly anybody’s wants. Nevertheless, their 1.7x TCs have been fairly common within the DSLR days, so possibly they’ll produce one thing comparable for the Z System as properly.

DX Lenses

There are too many lacking DX lenses to record, so I gained’t attempt to be complete under. But I hope that we see at the least the next choices.

• A quick midrange zoom with VR: To me, that is the naked minimal lens that Nikon should launch if they need us to take DX critically. Something like a 16-55mm f/2.8 VR would match the invoice. And I specify “VR” as a result of that’s been the primary motive why adapting FX lenses has been iffy on DX cameras to date: None of Nikon’s DX our bodies has in-body picture stabilization, not even the Z50 II.
• A quick ultra-wide with VR: For tripod-based customers, Viltrox and Sigma have stepped up right here with a 13mm f/1.4 and 12mm f/1.4 respectively (the Sigma rumored to be launched imminently). But I’d actually prefer to see a local various from Nikon – hopefully one with picture stabilization. It doesn’t essentially have to be an f/1.4 prime; an f/2.8 zoom would even be helpful. Either manner, such a lens can be important for the journey video/vlogging crowd that Nikon appears to need to draw however by no means fairly attracts.
• More devoted primes with VR: Nikon Z DX customers don’t have any scarcity of nice full-frame prime lenses that they will adapt. However, hardly any of those lenses have vibration discount, which isn’t ultimate contemplating the dearth of IBIS in Nikon’s DX cameras. Nikon actually wants to supply extra primes with VR in order that their DX customers don’t run into points with handheld capturing. Near the highest of the record, for my part, can be a 16mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, and 85mm f/1.8. But even one or two of that set would go a good distance towards making DX extra viable.
• f/1.8 zooms: It’s time for Nikon to channel Sigma’s f/1.8 APS-C zooms with a few of their very own. This can be a real signal that Nikon takes DX critically – one thing like a 10-18mm f/1.8, 18-50mm f/1.8, 50-150mm f/1.8 combo. If Nikon releases these alongside a extra superior DX physique (30-ish megapixels, IBIS, and in any other case as succesful because the Z50 II), it could be an unimaginable assertion and proof that they’re not simply phoning it in with DX.

Conclusion

The Nikon Z System has come a good distance to date, providing a large sufficient vary of lenses to be viable for many photographers. But that doesn’t imply it’s full; the lists above, with over three dozen doubtlessly helpful lenses, are a testomony to that.

I can hardly guess which of them we’ll see subsequent, however I do really feel assured that this isn’t the tip of recent Nikon Z glass. In the Z period to date, Nikon has averaged about six new lenses every year – though we solely obtained three in 2024 and solely two to date in 2025. Even if issues are slowing down, chances are high excessive that you just’ll ultimately see the lens you’ve been pining for, no matter which may be.

Which of the lenses on this article are you hoping for probably the most? Did I miss any that you just’d prefer to see? I’m to listen to your ideas, so be at liberty to share within the feedback under! And who is aware of, possibly somebody at Nikon will see a preferred remark and lift your request up the chain. Then we’d lastly get a 70-200mm f/4 S! Well, a person can dream…