Reading mode: Light Dark

Z lens roadmap

Go to last post
S

starfly

Senior Member
Messages
1,090
Solutions
1
Reaction score
1,461
Location
US
So, it looks like a lot of the more interesting lenses, for me anyway, will be released in 2019. I'm talking about the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 14-30 f/4. I'm more of a zoom lens shooter myself as I like the flexibility and not having to change lenses as frequently.

I'm currently using an Oly m4/3 system and am just not satisfied with the IQ, so want to go FF. (Have shot with Canon APS-C previously).

I was and still am debating Sony vs. Nikon mirrorless. I'm withholding judgement on the new Z system until the final production release is thoroughly reviewed and is no longer in "beta" status. And I'm also probably more interested in the Z6 than the Z7, as it costs less, and that's not slated for release until November.

One key factor though is which lenses I can get fairly quickly. Since I'll be coming to either Sony or Nikon from scratch, the availability of native lenses is important to me. And the initial lenses released for the Z system don't really interest me. At most I'd consider the 35mm f/1.8, but don't like the 24-70 f/4 zoom. For that focal length range I much prefer f/2.8. If I'm going f/4, I'd strongly prefer 24-105 f/4.

And Sony has a much broader selection of lenses already available.

Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?
 
I’m hoping a high quality 70-200/4 constant makes it to the list. I don’t want to have to drag along fast zooms.
 
I think the speed of lens release is adequate, but certainly Nikon are at the Zero mark now, so one could not expect that there would be a full zoom line ready, both fast and f/4 versions. For people like you, it depends on how fast you want to migrate fully. As you have a m43 system going, like I have an APS-C one, we can keep using our current systems for situations where we need a full set of lenses, as we develop a new system.

Sony is there, very comprehensive system, so the obvious option if one needs, now, to have all possible lens alternatives. Nikon's system will certainly develop fast, Nikon is saying so, first time ever with a roadmap. Technically, it seems Nikon's mount has some advantages of being larger, for lens design. Video seems to be sota, as VF. These cameras are not for the action specialist, this is pretty obvious from the Z launch brochure, they never mention action shooting among the strengths of the new cameras, so fps, buffer, possibly tracking AF, are not at current DSLR level. I think that will come later, either in APS-C (D500), or FF (D850/D5).

So, you need to decide. For me it's easier, I am used to Nikon. I already have some FF ready F-lenses, but, actually, I'm likely selling my whole DX system. I see enormous potential in the Z system, for me the 24-70 f/4 is better than a f/2.8, as it's smaller and lighter, would be the basic carry-along lens. For more qualified shooting, I'll get a few primes. The first ones are showing amazing IQ performance, likely at Sigma Art's level, maybe even Zeiss Otus' level, at very good prices. More are coming, especially for WA, later likely for longer FLs.

We have a good problem, cheers!

--
Renato.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhlpedrosa/
OnExposure member
http://www.onexposure.net/
Good shooting and good luck
(after Ed Murrow)
 
Last edited:
starfly said:
Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?
Click to expand...
When I was working, if a product manager said Q1 to an engineer, he meant Jan 2. If he said Q1 to a customer, he meant Mar 31.

Jim
 
rhlpetrus said:
I see enormous potential in the Z system, for me the 24-70 f/4 is better than a f/2.8, as it's smaller and lighter, would be the basic carry-along lens. For more qualified shooting, I'll get a few primes. The first ones are showing amazing IQ performance, likely at Sigma Art's level, maybe even Zeiss Otus' level, at very good prices.
Click to expand...
While I hope that's the case, it's way too soon to say just how good the new lenses are. We need to wait until they're in the hands of qualified testers. MTF charts derived from sims don't tell anywhere near the whole story.

Jim
 
rhlpetrus said:
I think the speed of lens release is adequate, but certainly Nikon are at the Zero mark now, so one could not expect that there would be a full zoom line ready, both fast and f/4 versions. For people like you, it depends on how fast you want to migrate fully. As you have a m43 system going, like I have an APS-C one, we can keep using our current systems for situations where we need a full set of lenses, as we develop a new system.

Sony is there, very comprehensive system, so the obvious option if one needs, now, to have all possible lens alternatives. Nikon's system will certainly develop fast, Nikon is saying so, first time ever with a roadmap. Technically, it seems Nikon's mount has some advantages of being larger, for lens design. Video seems to be sota, as VF. These cameras are not for the action specialist, this is pretty obvious from the Z launch brochure, they never mention action shooting among the strengths of the new cameras, so fps, buffer, possibly tracking AF, are not at current DSLR level. I think that will come later, either in APS-C (D500), or FF (D850/D5).

So, you need to decide. For me it's easier, I am used to Nikon. I already have some FF ready F-lenses, but, actually, I'm likely selling my whole DX system. I see enormous potential in the Z system, for me the 24-70 f/4 is better than a f/2.8, as it's smaller and lighter, would be the basic carry-along lens. For more qualified shooting, I'll get a few primes. The first ones are showing amazing IQ performance, likely at Sigma Art's level, maybe even Zeiss Otus' level, at very good prices. More are coming, especially for WA, later likely for longer FLs.

We have a good problem, cheers!
Click to expand...
 
Good question, I am also concerned about the potential prices of the forthcoming lenses.
 
starfly said:
So, it looks like a lot of the more interesting lenses, for me anyway, will be released in 2019. I'm talking about the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 14-30 f/4. I'm more of a zoom lens shooter myself as I like the flexibility and not having to change lenses as frequently.

I'm currently using an Oly m4/3 system and am just not satisfied with the IQ, so want to go FF. (Have shot with Canon APS-C previously).

I was and still am debating Sony vs. Nikon mirrorless. I'm withholding judgement on the new Z system until the final production release is thoroughly reviewed and is no longer in "beta" status. And I'm also probably more interested in the Z6 than the Z7, as it costs less, and that's not slated for release until November.

One key factor though is which lenses I can get fairly quickly. Since I'll be coming to either Sony or Nikon from scratch, the availability of native lenses is important to me. And the initial lenses released for the Z system don't really interest me. At most I'd consider the 35mm f/1.8, but don't like the 24-70 f/4 zoom. For that focal length range I much prefer f/2.8. If I'm going f/4, I'd strongly prefer 24-105 f/4.

And Sony has a much broader selection of lenses already available.

Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?
Click to expand...
Just a guess but the lenses we actually saw mockups/early versions of at the presentation might be the most likely to be released first? so the 58mm Noct, the 24-70mm F/2.8 and the 14-30mm F/4.

Personally I suspect that the UWA zoom might come out first simply because that arguably has the greatest appeal for the cameras thus far released, the Z7 especially will obviously be bought by many landscape shooters.

Honestly whilst Sony has a broader selection of lenses I don't see them as appealing, there 24-70mm F/4 doesn't have a great rep and their 16-35mm F/4 seems pretty much the same as my current Nikon. If the Nikon 24-70mm and 14-30mm out perform them then that makes for a better system for my use.

I would say as well that when it comes to primes I like Nikon's approach more with F/1.8 primes. My Sigma 35mm F/1.4 works well on my D800 but the Sony lens is both large for a mirrorless camera and very expensive.
 
Last edited:
JimKasson said:
starfly said:
Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?
Click to expand...
When I was working, if a product manager said Q1 to an engineer, he meant Jan 2. If he said Q1 to a customer, he meant Mar 31.

Jim
Click to expand...
This hits too close to home :)
 
Last edited:
starfly said:
DPFranz said:
Nikon has an unusual definition of fiscal year. Their fiscal year ends on March 31. Example report here:

https://www.nikon.com/about/ir/ir_library/ar/pdf/nr2017/17nikonreport_e07.pdf

Now perhaps they are referring to calendar year in the Z lens road map, but I'm hoping that it will be closer to the above definition. Then again, that would imply that we are already in 2019, so...where's the 58 f/0.95? Whoops.
Click to expand...
I would just assume they're talking about calendar year. Because if we're already in fiscal year 2019, how can they be releasing lenses in 2018? Time travel? :)
Click to expand...
Yes, I got ahead of myself. Wishful thinking. ;)
 
The Sony UWA zooms are excellent, as is the 24-105G. We cannot jump the gun on the Nikons based on the 'buzz,' but I am curious to see how the Nikons perform. If they are indeed excellent - even class leading - it will absolutely push many towards the system.
MoreorLess said:
starfly said:
So, it looks like a lot of the more interesting lenses, for me anyway, will be released in 2019. I'm talking about the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 14-30 f/4. I'm more of a zoom lens shooter myself as I like the flexibility and not having to change lenses as frequently.

I'm currently using an Oly m4/3 system and am just not satisfied with the IQ, so want to go FF. (Have shot with Canon APS-C previously).

I was and still am debating Sony vs. Nikon mirrorless. I'm withholding judgement on the new Z system until the final production release is thoroughly reviewed and is no longer in "beta" status. And I'm also probably more interested in the Z6 than the Z7, as it costs less, and that's not slated for release until November.

One key factor though is which lenses I can get fairly quickly. Since I'll be coming to either Sony or Nikon from scratch, the availability of native lenses is important to me. And the initial lenses released for the Z system don't really interest me. At most I'd consider the 35mm f/1.8, but don't like the 24-70 f/4 zoom. For that focal length range I much prefer f/2.8. If I'm going f/4, I'd strongly prefer 24-105 f/4.

And Sony has a much broader selection of lenses already available.

Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?
Click to expand...
Just a guess but the lenses we actually saw mockups/early versions of at the presentation might be the most likely to be released first? so the 58mm Noct, the 24-70mm F/2.8 and the 14-30mm F/4.

Personally I suspect that the UWA zoom might come out first simply because that arguably has the greatest appeal for the cameras thus far released, the Z7 especially will obviously be bought by many landscape shooters.

Honestly whilst Sony has a broader selection of lenses I don't see them as appealing, there 24-70mm F/4 doesn't have a great rep and their 16-35mm F/4 seems pretty much the same as my current Nikon. If the Nikon 24-70mm and 14-30mm out perform them then that makes for a better system for my use.

I would say as well that when it comes to primes I like Nikon's approach more with F/1.8 primes. My Sigma 35mm F/1.4 works well on my D800 but the Sony lens is both large for a mirrorless camera and very expensive.
Click to expand...
 
MoreorLess said:
Personally I suspect that the UWA zoom might come out first simply because that arguably has the greatest appeal for the cameras thus far released, the Z7 especially will obviously be bought by many landscape shooters.
Click to expand...
I think so too and hope so.
MoreorLess said:
Honestly whilst Sony has a broader selection of lenses I don't see them as appealing, there 24-70mm F/4 doesn't have a great rep and their 16-35mm F/4 seems pretty much the same as my current Nikon. If the Nikon 24-70mm and 14-30mm out perform them then that makes for a better system for my use.
Click to expand...
I hope the Nikon lenses are better too but other than cherry picking the Sony 24-70 f4 Sony has some outstanding standard and UWA zooms. I believe the Sony 16-35 f4 is better than the Nikon 16-35 f4 and the Sony 16-35 f2.8 and 12-24 f4 are better than both. The Tamron 28-75, Sony 24-105 f4 and Sony 24-70 f2.8 are all outstanding.

If the Nikon 24-70 f4 and 14-30 f4 are comparable or better than the Sony options I will probably agree with your last sentence but Nikon has their work cut out for them. I don't think it's a given that they will be on the same level. For me the size of the Nikon lenses is a bonus but secondary.
MoreorLess said:
I would say as well that when it comes to primes I like Nikon's approach more with F/1.8 primes. My Sigma 35mm F/1.4 works well on my D800 but the Sony lens is both large for a mirrorless camera and very expensive.
Click to expand...
The Sony 55 f1.8 is smaller than the Nikon 50 f1.8? Sony does need a 35 f1.8 in their lineup but to be fair Nikon needs a bunch of lenses in their lineup to catch up with Sony.
 
starfly said:
So, it looks like a lot of the more interesting lenses, for me anyway, will be released in 2019. I'm talking about the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 14-30 f/4. I'm more of a zoom lens shooter myself as I like the flexibility and not having to change lenses as frequently.

I'm currently using an Oly m4/3 system and am just not satisfied with the IQ, so want to go FF. (Have shot with Canon APS-C previously).

I was and still am debating Sony vs. Nikon mirrorless. I'm withholding judgement on the new Z system until the final production release is thoroughly reviewed and is no longer in "beta" status. And I'm also probably more interested in the Z6 than the Z7, as it costs less, and that's not slated for release until November.

One key factor though is which lenses I can get fairly quickly. Since I'll be coming to either Sony or Nikon from scratch, the availability of native lenses is important to me. And the initial lenses released for the Z system don't really interest me. At most I'd consider the 35mm f/1.8, but don't like the 24-70 f/4 zoom. For that focal length range I much prefer f/2.8. If I'm going f/4, I'd strongly prefer 24-105 f/4.

And Sony has a much broader selection of lenses already available.

Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?

--
www.flickr.com/sakete
Click to expand...
Cant forget that the Canons are coming. They are supposed to throw their hat in the ring here pretty soon. I was wondering IF and its a big IF, the Canon Mirrorless cameras has what the Nikons lack, two card slots, eye tracking, fast FPS, along with great IQ and low light performance in a full frame package, would that be something worth looking into?

I like the performance of the Sony's, but my bank account says whoa there, not switching today. Not saying it wouldn't say that with Canons, but Im going to hold out until all reviews are in, but still sticking with Nikon (as of now)
 
javiair said:
starfly said:
So, it looks like a lot of the more interesting lenses, for me anyway, will be released in 2019. I'm talking about the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 14-30 f/4. I'm more of a zoom lens shooter myself as I like the flexibility and not having to change lenses as frequently.

I'm currently using an Oly m4/3 system and am just not satisfied with the IQ, so want to go FF. (Have shot with Canon APS-C previously).

I was and still am debating Sony vs. Nikon mirrorless. I'm withholding judgement on the new Z system until the final production release is thoroughly reviewed and is no longer in "beta" status. And I'm also probably more interested in the Z6 than the Z7, as it costs less, and that's not slated for release until November.

One key factor though is which lenses I can get fairly quickly. Since I'll be coming to either Sony or Nikon from scratch, the availability of native lenses is important to me. And the initial lenses released for the Z system don't really interest me. At most I'd consider the 35mm f/1.8, but don't like the 24-70 f/4 zoom. For that focal length range I much prefer f/2.8. If I'm going f/4, I'd strongly prefer 24-105 f/4.

And Sony has a much broader selection of lenses already available.

Does anyone have a clue whether 2019 means, say, Q1 or more like Q4? Would be nice if Nikon could get more specific. I get that the Z seems to be more targeted to existing Nikon users, but what about people that want to make the switch to FF mirrorless, like me?
Click to expand...
Cant forget that the Canons are coming. They are supposed to throw their hat in the ring here pretty soon. I was wondering IF and its a big IF, the Canon Mirrorless cameras has what the Nikons lack, two card slots, eye tracking, fast FPS, along with great IQ and low light performance in a full frame package, would that be something worth looking into?

I like the performance of the Sony's, but my bank account says whoa there, not switching today. Not saying it wouldn't say that with Canons, but Im going to hold out until all reviews are in, but still sticking with Nikon (as of now)
Click to expand...
Yeah....those Canon rumors are interesting..and will be fun to see what they come up with.
 
Its going to be very interesting for sure. If its equal to the Sony or better, coupled with a large selection of lenses that are already available, Canon would give Sony a serious run for the money and would get some serious looks from others I would imagine.
 
I would really love a pancake of some form.

After the dust and smoke has cleared from the launch a little, I too feel faced with the reality of what lenses to get. The S line just feel too expensive, but actually as a first FF for me, that may be an initial shock at just how expensive FF lenses actually are.

Even to go the adapted route good stuff is still pricey, but a small lens like the F mount 50mm 1.8's wont be so small with the FTZ in the way also.

I pre-oredered a Z6 but, as an enthusiast, I'm wondering if FF may be biting off more than I can chew. And the reality of a small native lens lineup makes it a tough choice.

I love the IQ of FF frame also, but price is pulling me back to something APS-C, potentially in the a6000 series.
 
Last edited:
JimKasson said:
When I was working, if a product manager said Q1 to an engineer, he meant Jan 2. If he said Q1 to a customer, he meant Mar 31.

Jim
Click to expand...
With your gear selection and not even working (anymore)? You've got it made, Mr. Kasson.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top