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Nikon Announces 85mm, 26mm Nikkor Z Primes
7 February 2023
Nikon has announced two new Nikkor Z primes: the 85mm f1.2 S portrait lens and the 26mm f2.8 pancake lens. The company also announced a new black version of its Z fc mirrorless camera based on the FM2.
Details on all three new offerings follow.
NIKKOR Z 85MM f1.2 S
The new 85mm portrait lens features a fast f1.2 aperture with the benefits of a flattering, compressing focal length that dissolves the background into "a beautiful and intoxicating bokeh," the company said.
"The Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S is a lens that unquestionably exhibits the extraordinary potential of the Z mount to resolve amazing details and dimensionality and I'm confident this lens will quickly establish itself with legendary status among its users," said Jay Vannatter, Nikon executive vice president. "The Nikkor Z line continues to expand to benefit all kinds of creators and those who adore the idea of carrying a super slim, light, sharp and fast walk-around lens will love Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8."
Highlights of the new prime include:
- Full frame format
- Maximum Aperture: f1.2
- 127mm equivalent on DX
- Multi-focus system and dual STM
- Control ring and function button
- 15 elements, 10 groups
- 2 aspherical, 1 ED element
- Extensively weather sealed
- Dust resistant
Specifications for the 85mm lens include:
NIKKOR Z 85mm f1.2 S LENS SPECIFICATIONS Mount Nikon Z Focal Length 85mm Aperture Maximum Aperture: f1.2
11 rounded diaphragm bladesMinimum Focus 33.46 inches Optical Design 15 elements in 10 groups
2 aspherical, 1 ED elementAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization No Filter Thread 82mm Nikon said the new Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S will be available in late March for a $2,799.95. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.
NIKKOR Z 26MM f2.8
The 26mm Nikkor Z is the slimmest and lightest full-frame AF Nikkor lens ever created, the company noted. Despite its small size, the company's first pancake lens delivers superior sharpness and beautiful blurred backgrounds with a fast f2.8 aperture, Nikon said.
Highlights of the new pancake lens include:
- Full-frame
- f2.8 to f16
- 39mm equivalent on DX
- All-element focusing system, STM motor
- Programmable control ring
- Three aspherical elements
- 8 elements in 6 groups
- Weather sealed
Specifications for the 26mm prime include:
NIKKOR Z 26mm f2.8 LENS SPECIFICATIONS Mount Nikon Z Focal Length 26mm Aperture f2.8 to f16 Angle of View 57° Minimum Focus 8 inches Magnification 1x to 0.19x Optical Design 8 elements in 6 groups
3 aspherical elementsAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization No Filter Thread 52mm Dimensions 0.9 x 2.8 inches Nikon said the Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 will be available in early March for $499.95. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.
BLACK Z FC
Nikon also announced the release of a new black version of the APS-C size/DX-format Nikon Z fc mirrorless camera.
The Z fc features a design inspired by Nikon's FM2 SLR film camera released in 1982. The release of this new black version of the Z fc comes as a response to the requests of many users, Nikon said.
Additionally, six new colors are available as Premium Exterior color options with which users can choose to customize the color of their Z fc body. These new color options are compatible with both the black and silver-color versions of the Z fc. Users who currently own the silver-color version of the camera can also enjoy the new Premium Exterior color options.
Flawless & Flattering: The New Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S Prime Lens
Nikon Also Announces the Ultra Slim and Lightweight Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 Pancake Lens
MELVILLE, N.Y. -- Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S, a professional-level ultra-fast prime lens that exemplifies the powerful potential of the Nikon Z Mount for those capturing stills or video footage, whether it be studio head shots, weddings, events, high fashion, b-roll, close ups and more. This 85mm portrait lens with an incredibly fast f1.2 aperture delivers the ultimate in image quality for the most discerning clients, plus the benefits of a flattering, compressing focal length that dissolves the background into a beautiful and intoxicating bokeh. Nikon has also released the slimmest and lightest full-frame AF Nikkor lens ever created1, the Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 "pancake" lens. This new ultra-compact lens is made for creators, offering versatility for capturing all kinds of content from street style and landscapes to everyday casual snaps.
"The Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S is a lens that unquestionably exhibits the extraordinary potential of the Z mount to resolve amazing details and dimensionality and I'm confident this lens will quickly establish itself with legendary status among its users," said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. "The Nikkor Z line continues to expand to benefit all kinds of creators and those who adore the idea of carrying a super slim, light, sharp and fast walk-around lens will love Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8."
Beautiful Bokeh and Precise AF
The view from this premium S line lens is nothing short of captivating. Ultra-high-resolution and intense sharpness renders skin texture and hair realistically, with a striking yet gradual depth of field and abundant light gathering ability that only a lens with a wide f1.2 aperture could offer. Focus on the eyes creates a deep human connection between the viewer and the subject, with three-dimensional rendering that portrays a heightened level of emotion and depth.
What makes the new Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S lens extraordinary isn't immediately apparent; the outstanding optical performance goes beyond the impressive sharpness to create a truly unique optic, with special emphasis given to the distinct character of the bokeh and out-of-focus area. The background blur is soft and natural, while the transition from the plane of focus is subtle and gradual. Wide open, the depth is utterly astounding and even when stopping down it's downright dreamy and opulent with smooth and circular bokeh that drives attention to the subject to create a glamourous appearance that's desirable for fashion, boudoir and brides.
Similar to the coveted Nikkor Z 58mm f0.95 NOCT, the optical construction includes 11 rounded diaphragm blades, which work together with the fast aperture to melt away point light sources into round and soft circles. Additionally, the use of ED glass suppresses color fringing, while the position of lens elements is carefully considered to eliminate any kind of "onion-ring" characteristics.
The new Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S benefits from Nikon's advanced multi-focusing system for enhanced optical performance at close distances as well as rapid AF performance that enables precise accuracy even with the razor-thin depth of field at f1.2. This is the precision that helps to capture what's most important; from a model's dynamic poses, a couple's fleeting emotional embrace or intricate event details. To achieve this level of performance, the Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S's multi-focusing system consists of two stepping motors to coordinate positioning of two focusing lens groups simultaneously. These small-diameter, high-torque STM's in the AF mechanism ensure outstandingly quiet, fast and accurate operation.
Additional Features
Additional features of the new Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S include:
- A Nikon first, f1.2 aperture on an 85mm lens, provides shallow depth of field, gorgeous bokeh and amazing light gathering capability.
- A minimum focusing distance of only 2.8 ft. lets you get close to subjects for immaculate details.
- Embrace shooting with challenging backlight thanks to a Nano Crystal Coat that suppresses ghosting and flare.
- Videographers will appreciate the quiet operational sound and fast AF afforded by the STM motors, the minimized focus breathing as well as the support for manual linear focusing on select cameras.
- The independent control ring and an additional L-Fn button are fully customizable.
- The optical formula consists of 15 elements in 10 groups with 2 aspherical elements and one ED element. The ED lens effectively reduces chromatic aberration while the aspherical lens reduces spherical aberration, distortion and other aberrations.
- The lens is constructed of durable magnesium alloy, while superior dust and drip-resistance is ensured by sealing in various areas including movable parts of the lens barrel and mount.
Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8
The new Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 is a super-thin wide-angle prime for Z series mirrorless cameras and it's Nikon's slimmest and lightest full-frame AF lens ever. Despite its small size, the lens packs a tremendous punch with superior sharpness and beautiful blurred backgrounds with a fast f2.8 aperture. This is the first Nikkor Z lens to be slender and light enough to be considered a true "pancake," with a total length of less than one inch (23.5mm) and a weight of approximately 4.5oz (125g).
The new Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 is so small and lightweight, it's easy to take anywhere to capture photos and video with maximum impact. Whether shooting street photography, travel vlogs or landscape shots in a unique location, the Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 has you covered as the perfect companion wherever the journey may lead.
Additional Features
Additional features of the Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 include:
- The slimness and lightness are achieved thanks to the adoption of an All-element focusing system, as well as three aspherical lens elements.
- When mounted on a DX-format camera, the focal length becomes 39mm (equivalent), similar to a standard angle lens.
- A minimum focus distance of approx. eight inches (0.2m) lets users to get close to their subjects.
- Use of an STM motor enables a highly accurate AF drive.
- Functions such as aperture and exposure compensation can be assigned to the control ring.
- Includes a new lens cap and a lens hood that has been specially designed to be slim and work with 52mm filters (filters sold separately)
- The lens is fitted with a durable metal mount and the body is designed carefully considering dust- and drip-resistant performance enabling it to be taken anywhere with greater confidence.3
Price and Availability
The new Nikkor Z 85mm f1.2 S will be available in late March for a suggested retail price of $2,799.95, while the Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 will be available in early March for $499.95.
For more information about the latest Nikon products, including other Nikkor Z lenses and the entire collection of Z series cameras, visit nikonusa.com.
Nikon Releases a New Black Version of the Z Fc APS-C Size Mirrorless Camera
A new color version of the Z fc, a model that further enhances the joy of shooting and ownership Z fc APS-C size mirrorless camera
TOKYO -- Nikon has announced the release of a new black version of the APS-C size/DX-format Nikon Z fc mirrorless camera.
The Z fc features a design inspired by Nikon's historically iconic camera, the Nikon FM2 SLR film camera released in 1982, providing the user with the joy of shooting great stills and videos, in addition to the joy of ownership. The release of this new black version of the Z fc comes as a response to the requests of many users, reflecting Nikon's hope for even more users to enjoy shooting with the Z fc.
Additionally, six new colors are available as Premium Exterior color options with which users can choose to customize the color of their Z fc body. These new color options are compatible with both the black and silver-color versions of the Z fc. Users who currently own the silver-color version of the camera can also enjoy the new Premium Exterior color options.
Nikon will continue to pursue a new dimension in optical performance while meeting users' needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.