Nikon India just released the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, a compact and lightweight ultra-wide angle zoom lens with great versatility. Its focal length provides users with a diverse and comfortable photography experience, allowing them to capture dramatic night views as well as ordinary snapshots without having to switch between several lenses. The lens, housed in a tiny housing, is convenient to transport for vacations, allowing users to photograph magnificent cityscapes and landscapes on the go.
“The NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 ultrawide angle zoom lens is an affordable, compact and light weight lens. It features a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 along with great AF performance and designed for videos as well. Travel & Landscape photographers, videographers and people shooting weddings can really enjoy this lens for its sharpness and colour rendition,” said Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director of Nikon India Pvt. Ltd.
The Nikon Z 17-28mm F2.8 lens offers an additional benefit over the costlier S-series 14-24mm F2.8 S lens: it is substantially smaller and lighter. The Z 17-28mm F2.8 lens is 101mm (4 in.) in length and has a maximum diameter of 75mm (3 in.). The Z 17-28mm F2.8 is also an internal zoom lens, which means it does not stretch as the focal length is changed. The lens is 450g in weight (15.9 oz.). In comparison, the Z 14-24mm F2.8 is 124.5mm (5 in.) long and has an 88.5mm maximum diameter (3.5 in.). The 14-24mm F2.8 lens weights 200g more, or roughly 30% more.
The Z 17-28mm F2.8 lens has a 67mm filter thread, but the specialist lens hood on the 14-24mm F2.8 S lens allows 112mm filters, which are exceptionally big. Of course, there’s a big difference between designing 14-24mm F2.8 lenses and designing 17-28mm F2.8 lenses. The additional field of view is not inexpensive.
Nikon claims that the new lens is sealed to prevent dust and water droplets from entering, so it should be suitable for outdoor shooting. According to Nikon, “the lens is designed for producers who aren’t hesitant to venture off the beaten road in pursuit of their content.”
In terms of glass, the Z 17-28mm F2.8 lens has 13 elements grouped into 11 groups. The Z 14-24mm F2.8 S has three less elements. Furthermore, the new Z 17-28mm F2.8 lacks Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings, which are typical of S Series lenses.
A high-speed stepping motor provides autofocus (STM). During photo and video recording, the STM technology offers quick and practically quiet autofocus. The lens claims to reduce focus breathing, which should be beneficial to video content providers. A click-less control ring is also included for silent, smooth exposure changes. The minimum focus distance of the lens is just 0.19m (7.6 in.) at 17mm and 0.26m (10.3 in.) at 28mm, resulting in a maximum magnification of 0.19x at 17mm and 0.17x at 28mm.
The price and availability of the product is yet to be revealed.