Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 Review

At first look, the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 lens appears a bit misplaced. Nikon already has a 24-70mm f/2.8 S for his or her mirrorless system, and it’s probably the greatest lenses we’ve ever examined. Why would Nikon launch one other f/2.8 zoom with such an analogous focal size vary?

However once you have a look at the costs, it turns into extra fascinating. The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is $2400. The Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8, which I’m reviewing as we speak, is $1200. That’s actually half the worth, and it begs an necessary query: why?

The primary clue is that the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 is just not an S-line lens. To remind you, the S line is Nikon’s designation for “lenses that had been developed in pursuit of a better stage of optical efficiency.” Does this imply the Nikon 28-75mm f/2.8 primarily trades optical efficiency for a cheaper price, one way or the other? Possibly, however that’s not the entire story.

The second clue is within the identify of the lens itself. Particularly, the zoom vary of 28-75mm is very uncommon for a Nikon lens; there’s no different 28-75mm lens in Nikon’s whole arsenal, previous or current. There isn’t even one other zoom that ends (or begins) at 75mm.

However there may be one lens in the marketplace that appears so much like this one: the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. I’ll emphasize that once more… the Tamron lens appears so much just like the Nikon lens.

I’m not simply referring to the focal size and f/2.8 aperture. Listed here are the optical building diagrams of each lenses:

The Tamron lens diagram is first, and the Nikon lens diagram is second. Not that it issues. It’s the same diagram. Clearly, Tamron and Nikon labored collectively indirectly on the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8.

On prime of that, based mostly on the lens diagrams above, the Nikon lens is definitely based mostly on the older, “G1” model of the Tamron lens. In the meantime, Tamron launched a brand new and improved “G2” model of the lens for Sony shooters in September of 2021 (a number of months earlier than this Nikon lens). Including insult to harm, the Tamron G1 28-75mm f/2.8 offered for $800 when it was accessible new, whereas the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8’s promoting worth is $1200.

Photographers – particularly on-line photographers – are very rational, level-headed folks. The reveal of the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8, and the next realization that it was based mostly on the G1 Tamron but $400 dearer, barely triggered a ripple. Everybody reacted with some curiosity and amusement, then went about their day.

However even if you happen to discover Nikon’s determination right here sort of ridiculous, I nonetheless suppose they’ve stumbled upon one thing fascinating. Regardless that $1200 is way more than the Tamron lens initially price, a local Nikon lens has its perks. Together with Nikon’s full guarantee, you additionally know this lens gained’t have any future compatibility points with Nikon Z cameras. Resale worth ought to keep increased, and, at the very least in principle, autofocus must be simply pretty much as good with this lens as with every different native Nikon Z optic.

To me, there are two methods to consider this lens, and each are fairly correct:

1. It’s an overpriced re-branded Tamron lens, and never even the higher Tamron lens.
2. It’s a local f/2.8 zoom for the Nikon Z system at half the worth of Nikon’s standard f/2.8 zooms. As long as the efficiency is stable, that’s a fantastic worth.

With this evaluate, I’ve endeavored to determine which of these two descriptions is extra exact. All of it relies upon upon how nicely the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 truly performs. In any case, if it managed to blow the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S out of the water in efficiency, that $1200 worth would appear to be a large discount!

Earlier than I get to our detailed lab exams of the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8, let me first undergo the lens’s specs and construct high quality.

Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 Specs

One of many first issues to face out for me is the worth. Particularly, the $1200 MSRP that garnered so many complaints is a little bit of an phantasm; the lens goes on sale on a regular basis. Heck, it’s most likely on sale proper now. The bottom worth I’ve seen is beneath $900, at which level it’s hardly dearer than the unique Tamron lens.

One thing else to notice is the lens coating state of affairs. Nikon’s standard ARNEO, Nano Crystal, and Tremendous Built-in coatings are all absent on this lens. As a substitute, it makes use of Tamron’s BBAR coating. Does this imply the lens performs poorly in backlit conditions? Probably not – it isn’t good, but it surely’s higher than I anticipated in that regard.

As for the remainder of the lens’s specs, all the things appears to be like about as anticipated for a non-S midrange zoom. The ultimate factor I’ll level out is the zoom vary itself: 28-75mm. I discovered myself holding the lens at 28mm throughout a lot of my time utilizing it, and I usually wished I had one thing a bit wider. The standard 24-XX zooms in the marketplace really feel decidedly wider. It could not matter to you, particularly if you happen to’re additionally carrying a wider lens, however I couldn’t shake that feeling throughout my testing.

Construct High quality

The Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 has Nikon’s standard Z-series construct high quality, with a largely plastic building however tight tolerances total. Regardless that it is a non-S lens, Nikon put lots of effort into climate sealing on the 28-75mm f/2.8. There are intensive seals, each inner and exterior, and the entrance factor of the lens has Nikon’s water-repellant fluorine coating. The lens mount is steel, as anticipated.

The Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 does prolong whereas zoomed, however there is no such thing as a wobble that I can detect in any way. I used the lens in sandy, dusty situations for months on finish, and the zoom ring by no means acquired stiff. I nonetheless choose internally zooming lenses for opposed climate situations, however I can’t actually complain in regards to the 28-75mm f/2.8. It appears simply as well-built as any of Nikon’s S-line lenses.

Past that, I’m impressed by the low weight of this lens. At 565 grams, it’s barely heavier than the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S. It’s a bit on the lengthy aspect, which can hurt its portability if you happen to’re utilizing a small sling bag, however your shoulders gained’t be sore after carrying this lens all day. It’s one of many lightest f/2.8 zooms on the full-frame market.

Dealing with

With the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8, there may be little to debate in the best way of dealing with. There’s just one management ring, which you’ll extremely probably hold for guide focus changes. The lens has no customized operate buttons, no EL show, and no switches (not even for guide vs autofocus). It’s one among Nikon’s sparsest lenses; there’s not a lot happening right here.

Though the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 has no vibration discount in-built, it really works nicely with the in-body picture stabilization (IBIS) of any Nikon Z cameras which have it. In my head-to-head exams in opposition to the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4, each lenses averaged the identical efficiency for picture stabilization.

Subsequent up, I’ll cowl the optical traits of the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness exams within the lab. Click on the menu beneath to go to the following web page of this evaluate, “Optical Options”: