To kick off CES 2019, Nikon’s made history by announcing the first filter-attachable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens covering 14 mm, the Nikkor Z 14-30mm F/4 S. This impressive Z Mount lens is also our pick for Best Lens of CES 2019.
Using the capabilities of the next generation of Nikon’s Z Mount, the lens sports a larger diameter and “delivers superior optical performance and maximizes the potential of high pixel-count digital cameras,” claims Nikon. Also, the 14-30mm’s focal length could prove to be popular among landscape, travel, event and architecture photographers.
Design-wise, the lens features a practically flat front lens element. This makes it the world’s first filter-attachable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens covering a focal length from 14 mm.
“The NIKKOR Z 14-30mm lens demonstrates the optical superiority of the Z system. Taking advantage of the newest high-performance lens technologies while maximizing compactness and portability,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The Nikon Z series is a powerful capable camera system for all types of video production …”
Changeable filters
Creators will be able to attach various types of screw-on filters to the front of the lens. This opens up a lot of options for videographers and landscape and city photographers who want to use different filters.
Portability
When it’s retracted, the 14-30mm f/4 S is 3.5-inches and weighs 485 g (1.07lbs). It’s about 28.6% lighter and 32% shorter than the popular AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR. It’s also about 51.5% lighter and 35% shorter than the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED for the F mount.
Design
The NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S has a customizable control ring that can be assigned to manual focusing, exposure compensation or aperture control while maintaining different custom settings when in photo or video mode. The control ring has “speedy and near-silent” stepping motor tech and the lens reduces focus breathing, according to Nikon.
Additionally, the lens is fully compatible with the in-body 5-axis VR on the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 and provides up to 5 stops of image stabilization without adding to the overall weight or size.
Pricing and Availability
The NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens will be out this spring for $1,299.
Nikon also introduced the Nikon Z 6 Filmmaker’s Kit, which will be out later this month. The Kit will include:
- A Nikon Z 6 camera
- NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens
- Mount Adapter FTZ
- Atomos Ninja V 4K HDR 5” Monitor Recorder
- Rode VideoMic Pro+
- MOZA Air 2 3-Axis Hand-held Gimbal Stabilizer
- An Additional EN-EL15b battery
- A coiled HDMI cable
- 12-month Vimeo Pro membership
- The Art of Making Music Videos Nikon School online course
The Z 6 Filmmaker’s Kit is priced at $3,999.
