A camera is only as good as the lens you attach to it, and Nikon has just announced two new options aimed squarely at its DX-format shooters.
I have been a Nikonian for a long time, and I’ve always bragged to friends that the Z-mount full frame lenses are some of the most optically excellent pieces of glass on the market. However, I’ve heard from others that their DX lineup could still use a bit of fattening up. Apparently, Nikon has heard its customer base. Today, they’ve announced two new workhorse options for owners of crop sensor bodies like the Z50 II and Z fc.
Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR
The new Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR is the rough equivalent of a 24-75mm zoom on a full frame sensor. As someone whose 24-70mm f/2.8 almost never leaves my camera body, this seems to be a perfect all-arounder for Nikonians shooting in the DX format. It’s plenty fast enough for most lighting scenarios and offers a solid zoom range for many occasions. Weighing only 330 grams and with a minimum focus distance of 5.9 inches (at the widest end), this lens can cover several different shooting situations without adding much bulk to your camera bag.
Key Specs
- Built-in VR with 5 stops of stabilization
- 12 elements in 11 groups
- 67mm front filter size
- Excellent focus breathing suppression (carried over from Nikon’s full frame lenses)
- Quiet STM focusing system for video use
Z DX 35mm f/1.7
If the 330 grams of the 16-50mm wasn’t light enough for you, prime shooters can go down to only 220 grams and an even brighter f/1.7 aperture with the new Z DX 35mm f/1.7 prime lens. The 35mm is a great all-around focal length for everyday use, and with f/1.7, you can make the most of your bokeh. It has a 52mm filter thread and 8 lens elements in 7 groups. The minimum focus distance is 0.53 feet, and the maximum reproduction ratio is 0.67x. This means you can get extremely close to your subjects or back up in equal measure. It’s a solid everyday prime for those wanting a minimal setup.
Key Specs
- 8 elements in 7 groups
- 52mm front filter thread
- Minimum focus distance: 0.53 ft
- Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.67x
- Weight: 220 g
The 16-50mm comes in at $899.95 and the 35mm comes in at $449.95. Both are available for preorder.
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