Nikon Z 28MM F/2.8 SE

BUILD AND HANDLING

It’s not the first time Nikon has ventured into the retro digital camera market. The Df was undoubtedly inspired by decades past, as is the DX-format Nikon Z fc. This 28mm lens is a natural pairing for the latter and looks and feels like a kit lens for a 35mm F-Mount SLR. Overall, it feels relatively robust, although the plastic lens mount is disappointing and spoils the tank-like analogue illusion. It’s easy to operate and the texture offers a secure grip.

PERFORMANCE

AF speed is rapid and operates near silently and it only takes a moment for the focus to shift from near to far objects. The movement is smooth, which is great news for video shooters. All focusing is internal, leaving the front element static – impressive for a kit lens.

The 0.19m minimum focus is also welcome and allows for attractive background blur when combined with the f/2.8 aperture. Image quality is above what you’d expect from a lens of this price and there is plenty of detail and contrast. Colours are lovely and there is little intrusive chromatic aberration. There is significant vignetting wide open, but this can easily be removed.

VERDICT

The Z 28mm f/2.8 SE is the perfect partner to the Z fc. It looks amazing and is a joy to shoot with. Had it been given an excessive price premium, we might have dismissed it as an unnecessary gimmick, however, the valuation is spot on. For your money, you get a respectable performance with the bonus of an attractive, nostalgic design.

Nikon’s 28mm lens is no retro gimmick, it’s the natural pair for the Z fc

Below left LOW LIGHT CHALLENGES The 28mm f/2.8 SE doesn’t feature optical image stabilisation. That’s not a problem with IBIS-equipped cameras but, on the Z fc, camera shake is an issue

Left COLOUR AND CONTRAST The lens offers punchy images with plenty of detail and contrast. It’s not perfect for portraits, but background blur can be achieved when shooting wide open