Furthering its commitment to professional filmmakers, Nikon today announced the new Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ power zoom lens, made specifically for film and video production.
First things first, this news comes on the same day that RED Digital Cinema announced it will begin selling its Komodo-X and V-Raptor [X] with a Z-mount option (the new option will be available alongside the existing RF-mount option), available now. Along with that announcement, they also introduced upgraded firmware that will improve RED cameras’ functionality, autofocus, and further integrate them with Nikon technology. See the other article for more details.
It is no mistake that RED and Nikon are announcing both this new lens and the Z-mount options for RED cameras on the same day because the Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens and the new RED Z-mount cameras are a match made in heaven.
I already spoke about the benefits of the Z mount for filmmakers and its superior ability to adapt legacy cinema glass due to its wide diameter and short flange distance in the other article. So, in this one, we’ll talk about the specific benefits of the Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens.
Just as the Z mount itself benefits from adaptability, this zoom range offers maximum flexibility for filmmakers working in the field. Especially on a full frame sensor, the 28mm to 135mm focal range covers the vast majority of shooting scenarios. This means that if you only had enough money for one piece of glass and needed to maximize flexibility, this would be a solid option for consideration. The wide focal range reduces limitations when you need to move fast in situations like documentary filmmaking, events, or when placing your camera in harder-to-access locations.
The power zoom function of this lens offers multiple benefits. The lens can zoom internally at the press of a button, which can be key for ENG recording in the field or zooming in-shot during a scene. The fact that the lens can be power zoomed, as opposed to needing to have the barrel manually turned by hand, also introduces options to operate the camera remotely or to have an assistant adjust the zoom length for you so that the operator can focus on composition. This functionality makes the lens an even more versatile tool in the field and will likely be the first Z-mount purchase for many filmmakers.
Speaking of versatility, for users of the Z8 or Z9, this power zoom lens can be used in conjunction with Hi-Res Zoom, giving you the equivalent of a maximum 270mm focal length in 4K when used in combination. In the 135mm to 270mm range, the lens is effectively parfocal. A new Synchro Mode will allow users to simultaneously zoom optically and using Hi-Res Zoom with a single set of controls for easy operation. You can customize your zoom speed with 11 different choices to match your creative vision.
The lens, which comes in at $2,599.95, is designed with traditional film workflows in mind. This includes a thick barrel with grooved teeth for attaching follow focuses, as you’d expect to see on a cinema lens. But this time, the lens is fully capable of Nikon’s excellent autofocus functionality as well, making it a dual threat.
The minimum focusing distance is just 13.3 inches between 28-50mm and 22.4 inches in the telephoto range, making this lens a solid choice for close-ups.
The lens has a 95mm filter diameter and comes with a large rectangular lens hood designed for attaching matte boxes and other filtration. The hood itself has a filter adjustment window for maneuvering variable NDs and polarizers without needing to remove it. The lens also has a custom control ring and two customizable function buttons, allowing users to operate their systems in the way they find most efficient.
When looking at the new RED firmware 2.0, one of the combinations I was most excited about was the ability to combine that custom function ring with the custom buttons to offer more precise control. I, for one, am clumsy and susceptible to accidentally shifting my custom ring during a shot. This new dual-step functionality would allow someone like me, for example, to set my custom function ring to aperture without fearing that I will accidentally change my iris in the middle of a shot unless it is intentional.
The control dials on the new lens will also be clickless to make them more suitable for film production. Like Nikon’s premium Z lenses, the new lens is built to reduce focus breathing. The lens, which weighs 1,120 grams, will come with a tripod collar for mounting directly to a tripod (with the collar, the unit weighs 1,210 grams).
The Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ will retail for $2,599.95. The lens will also be available in a bundle with the just-announced Z-mount RED Komodo-X—another positive step in the right direction for Nikon. So, what do you think? Is this the lens you’ve been waiting to see?
I have no use for this lens but tbh at $2500 I think this is a really aggressive and appealing price point. For a Cine lens with internal electronic zoom assuming the optics on it are exceptional, I'd have expected more like $10k.
Beautiful design too. I kinda miss the gold ring on Z Mount S Line, makes them look kinda "plain" but this lens stands out for sure.