NIKON Z 40MM F/2
This small wonder of a Nikon Z lens is ideal for candid portraiture and group shots
Strikingly similar in design to the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 lens, this 40mm lens is both compact and lightweight, measuring 46mm long and weighing 170g. That is just 5mm longer and 10g heavier than the Canon lens on test. It’s naturally 1.33 f/stops faster than the Z 28mm and, coupled with the longer focal length, enables a tighter depth of field. The size and focal length make the lens particularly adept at candid portraiture in street photography.
As with the Canon lens, the Nikon’s optical design is particularly simple, based on just six elements arranged in four groups, with no ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass present. This simplicity extends to the overall build, with no auto/manual focus switch or optical VR. There isn’t a genuine Nikon lens hood available, not even as an optional extra. But don’t let that put you off.
This Nikon lens works really well for environmental portraiture and for shooting couples and small groups with an FX camera, and it gives an interesting 60mm effective focal length on DX bodies. Handling is refined with an electronically coupled, customisable manual focus ring, and the stepping motor-based autofocus system is nippy for stills, along with smooth, virtually silent focus transitions. This is especially useful if video portraiture is your thing.
Although it’s a fairly small lens, the Nikon goes large on image quality. Sharpness is similarly impressive as it is from the Canon lens on test here, although the Canon edges ahead for corner-sharpness when shooting at the widest aperture, which is also a third of an f/stop faster.
Despite the Nikon lens having the shortest focal length and narrowest aperture rating in the group, bokeh is pleasantly smooth and remains good when stopping down a little, helped by a well-rounded 9-blade diaphragm. The shortest focus distance of just 0.29m enables you to get up close and personal in creative portraiture.