At CP+ in Japan Nikon was showing the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S, the first ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for the Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless camera system, as well as the NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 S.
NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S & 24-70mm f/2.8 S lenses at CP+ 2019
The lens is very compact and lightweight at just 1.07lbs (485g). It is considerably lighter and smaller than both the Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens and the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED.
NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S & 24-70mm f/2.8 S lenses at CP+ 2019
Unlike other full frame wide angle zooms that start at 14mm, the front element is almost completely flat, this makes it a good lens for video shooters as you can attach a variable ND filter (82mm).
Nikon claims that the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S has unparalleled control of distortion and chromatic aberration and that anti-reflective Nano Crystal Coatings help reduce ghosting and flare.
NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S & 24-70mm f/2.8 S lenses at CP+ 2019
I got to try the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 with the Z7 running beta firmware that included the Eye AF. The lens was nice to use and its lightweight, compact size was well suited to the Z7 or Z6. Nikon has spent a great deal of time optimizing focus breathing on all of their new Z mount lenses, which is good news for video shooters.
The lens appears to be nice sharp and I was able to compare it directly against the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED that was mounted on a D850. To my eye, the lenses looked very similar in terms of wide-angle distortion and sharpness. I couldn’t notice any real world difference in the autofocus performance between the two lenses and camera systems.
wow