Why the lack of Z 26mm f/2.8 reviews?

RaindropDroptop said:

It’s better than the 28 in every way except for focus motor noise.

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That isn't the point. The OP's question wasn't about the 26 vs the 28, or even how good the 26 is. The question was why aren't there more reviews.

And the answer is that the buyer pool is mostly predetermined by things that are already known without reviews. Hence reviewers are going to prioritize lenses that get them clicks, which isn't this lens.

Jim Keye said:

RaindropDroptop said:

It’s better than the 28 in every way except for focus motor noise.

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That isn't the point. The OP's question wasn't about the 26 vs the 28, or even how good the 26 is. The question was why aren't there more reviews.

And the answer is that the buyer pool is mostly predetermined by things that are already known without reviews. Hence reviewers are going to prioritize lenses that get them clicks, which isn't this lens.

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I was responding to you and your claim that optics won’t drive the purchase of this lens. It seems to be a good performer optically and I personally wouldn’t buy it if it was an average performer. Size isn’t enough. It appears for size AND performance there’s nothing like it, as a result there is a premium.

ericbowles said:

I have the 26mm f/2.8 in hand and will be using it later this week.

Initial observations:

Really small - about the size of the Z 1.4 TC.

Relatively solid feel - heavier than the TC. Solid and well build with a metal mount.

Hood design is unusual. Lens cap fits the lens without the hood or with the hood mounted. Hood is a little snug when mounting the first time and needs pressure to click into place, but fine after that.

The lens element (not the lens) extends slightly when focusing, so you can't have the camera turned on and the cap on the lens without the hood in the correct position. It can be turned on if the hood is mounted and the cap is on the hood.

Front element is very small - about the size of a dime. Even though the lens is mounted on a wide Z mount, the front element is tiny. I can't imagine the optical formula to go from such a small front element to a large mount and FF sensor.

There is definitely a sound when focusing for stills or video - manual or AF. I don't think it is a big deal for stills, but for video may be an issue.

Small size and light weight is definitely a keeper. You can quibble about the price, but it's not bad. The metal mount and solid build are positives. The design is very different and worth the time and effort.

Initial images are excellent - sharp, good toward the corners, etc. Need more testing.

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Thank you, Eric. That's very encouraging though I'm a little reluctant to buy at the moment given its AU$900.00 price.

Here is one review in Czech, just use automatic translate:


It's surprisingly good lens, it seems. It has to lack somewhere, but simplicity of design maybe negate some others side aberrations.

RaindropDroptop said:

Jim Keye said:

RaindropDroptop said:

It’s better than the 28 in every way except for focus motor noise.

Click to expand...

That isn't the point. The OP's question wasn't about the 26 vs the 28, or even how good the 26 is. The question was why aren't there more reviews.

And the answer is that the buyer pool is mostly predetermined by things that are already known without reviews. Hence reviewers are going to prioritize lenses that get them clicks, which isn't this lens.

Click to expand...

I was responding to you and your claim that optics won’t drive the purchase of this lens. It seems to be a good performer optically and I personally wouldn’t buy it if it was an average performer. Size isn’t enough. It appears for size AND performance there’s nothing like it, as a result there is a premium.

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You buy what works for you. When you can explain why there aren't reviews of it yet, feel feel to chime in.

The same reason why you won't find in-depth reviews of the 85mm f/1.2 S neither.

The argument that the buyer pool is mostly predetermined by things that are already known without reviews, ultimately applies to any lens, especially fixed focal lengths.

Both lenses started shipping this month, you'll definitive see a lot of reviews of both lenses in the next weeks.

Similar to the Z 85mm f/1.2 S there are almost only previews, first impressions or hands-on's of pre-production units, but no in-depth reviews.

Certainly the Z 26/2.8 does not generate the attention and clicks other Z-lenses like the Z 85mm f/1.2 S may generate, therefore we'll probably see less reviews, but the reason why there are mainly only previews, hands-on's, first impressions of pre-production units at this time, is primarily due to the fact that both have only been delivered for a few days.

The same reason why there are no in-depth reviews of the Z 85mm f/1.2 S, but maybe the Nikkor Z 85/1.2 is equally uninteresting and undignified for a review.

With lenses from the major manufacturers, Canon, Sony, Nikon, there are always heaps of reviews over time, of almost any lens, completely independent of the price level of the lens.

Total different story with small 3rd party lenses like Cosina/Voigtländer, where you can't find reviews of some new released lenses for months.

In the end, it is always the same procedure and will not turn out differently here either.

For the release of a new lens/new lenses there are plenty of pre-views of pre-production units from different sources/influencers.

After that it takes its time and reviews trickle in over time, since a serious in-depth review is much more time-consuming than a preview/video preview.

The release coverage, the additional buzz generated by aestetic video previews at great locations, like the Matt Irwin previews, are much more important today than the over time following, few elaborate in-depth reviews that really go into depth.

Especially since such in-depth reviews with many measurements and charts are only really interesting for a small part of the potential buyers.

Most are looking for positive purchase confirmation, and for that, less elaborate reviews, previews, hands-on's that don't go into minute detail are enough, which is why extremely in-depth reviews kinda rare these days.

To anyone reading this who has used one, there is a parallel for me with the Fuji 18mm f2. It was a similar size relative to system, slower, noisier with less than stellar edges and yet it became my most used carry around on camera lens. Loved some of the shots I got with it as I took my camera out at times when I might not have done with a bigger lens that I couldn't slip into a jacket pocket. The 26mm lens is a very welcome addition to the system for those who sill appreciate its benefits

I guess it isn't an attention grabber, so influencers don't have the motivation to spend time preparing a review.

I own both the 28 and the 26 and the 26 is stellar. It’s better than the 28 in just about every way except af noise.



As to why there’s not many reviews yet? It’s too early for proper written reviews on production units. Likewise, when theses were shown to all of the YouTubers was the same time that the 85/1.2 was released. It was pretty obvious at the time that the 85/1.2 was the more exciting lens. So that’s the one that will generate the most clicks and most revenue.



Again, I’m loving my 26mm, so it’ll be nice to see reviews, but I don’t think it’ll change my mind on anything. I remember when the 28 and 40 both came out I bought them right away and there also wasn’t proper reviews on them for months and months.

I do think Nikon is missing a smaller and lighter FF body with flip screen to go with these small lenses. Maybe it’s coming. Hopefully it will still have an evf.

Not sure if they can make a much smaller body though bc of the big lens mount.

If Nikon had something compact like an a7c I think this would sell better.

I’m still considering selling z5 and 40 to get the zfc with 26 on it… would add a little versatility and fun to my kit. Downgrade in some ways, upgrade in others.

Not at 499 though.

jjz2 said:

I’m still considering selling z5 and 40 to get the zfc with 26 on it… would add a little versatility and fun to my kit. Downgrade in some ways, upgrade in others.

Not at 499 though.

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I'm not sure the price is so far out of line with the competition.

• Fujifilm XT30II $900
• Fujifilm 27mm F2.8 $400
• Total Cost $1,300

• Nikon Zfc $950
• Nikon 26mm F2.8 $500
• Total Cost $1,450

The Nikon is indeed more expensive, but it's only about 12% more expensive when you also consider the most comparable camera bodies. If one swapped the Zfc for the Z50 the Nikon combo would actually be slightly cheaper. Of course, if you're into full-frame, one could pick up a Z5 + 26mm combo for $1,600 on B&H right now. That actually seems like a pretty dang good deal for such a compact setup to me.

pcgeekesq said:

I've looked in all the usual places, and the usual reviewers I check (here, zsystemuser, kenrockwell, and so on) haven't put up reviews for the Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Here at DPR, there's a gallery for it, but no review. That seems a bit unusual, since it is in stock (at Adorama, for example) and not very expensive.

Anyone have any idea why this might be?

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Ken Rockwell's reviews are hopeless, and DPReview and Thom Hogan usually don't publish reviews so soon

pcgeekesq said:

I've looked in all the usual places, and the usual reviewers I check (here, zsystemuser, kenrockwell, and so on) haven't put up reviews for the Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Here at DPR, there's a gallery for it, but no review. That seems a bit unusual, since it is in stock (at Adorama, for example) and not very expensive.

Anyone have any idea why this might be?

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Check Matt Granger’s

Kuvasauna said:

I guess it isn't an attention grabber, so influencers don't have the motivation to spend time preparing a review.

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Influencers are too busy shooting with their X100Vs.

pcgeekesq said:

I've looked in all the usual places, and the usual reviewers I check (here, zsystemuser, kenrockwell, and so on) haven't put up reviews for the Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Here at DPR, there's a gallery for it, but no review. That seems a bit unusual, since it is in stock (at Adorama, for example) and not very expensive.

Anyone have any idea why this might be?

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I have been eagerly awaiting reviews of the 26mm. The most detailed review I found online so far: https://asobinet.com/tag/nikkor-z-26mm-f-2-8-review/

There is also a Flickr group for the 26mm: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14801954@N25/

I suspect, as others have mentioned, that the 26mm just isn't a lens that will drive traffic/views like other things (85mm 1.2, Z8 rumors...) so it's not a high priority. Based on what I have read in the few reviews available, along with forum users' comments, the 26mm gives up relatively little to be a pancake and balances performance/size reasonably well.

I am still torn on buying the 26mm. It would be a great travel lens on my Z50, but still able to be fully utilized on FX bodies. I liked most everything about the Z 28mm, but always wished it was a true pancake. The Viltrox 23mm and upcoming Sigma 30mm are strong competition, offering much wider aperture for less money if absolutely smallest size isn't a high priority...

Foskito said:

Kuvasauna said:

I guess it isn't an attention grabber, so influencers don't have the motivation to spend time preparing a review.

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Influencers are too busy shooting with their X100Vs.

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Other than my own X100, which I shot with for a couple years back in 2012-2013 before I sold it, I've only seen one other X100 camera in the wild, and that was in 2011 at Knightsbridge tube station in London. They're really neat, but they're fixed-lens point and shoot cameras as far as I am concerned. And I can't get jazzed about a fixed lens camera at that price point. I had the Nikon A for a time, which was an amazing camera, but I sold it because it was fixed-lens, and it had AF that was slow as molasses compared to my Nikon 1 V1, which I still have.

Foskito said:

pcgeekesq said:

I've looked in all the usual places, and the usual reviewers I check (here, zsystemuser, kenrockwell, and so on) haven't put up reviews for the Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Here at DPR, there's a gallery for it, but no review. That seems a bit unusual, since it is in stock (at Adorama, for example) and not very expensive.

Anyone have any idea why this might be?

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Check Matt Granger’s

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Matt Granger's review makes me think I'll stick with my muffin 28mm 2.8.

rangel28 said:

My guess is we will see reviews soon, as well as comparisons with the much less expensive (and quieter) 28mm f2.8. The 26mm may be more useful for vloggers, and it has a metal mount, but the 28mm is not exactly a large or heavy lens and hundreds cheaper, so I am not surprised it is in stock and available.

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With the noisy AF, I kind of doubt vloggers will embrace this lens.

Foskito said:

Check Matt Granger’s

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Thank you. I really appreciate that when providing a YouTube link, people can also identify whose video it is.

shuncheung said:

pcgeekesq said:

I've looked in all the usual places, and the usual reviewers I check (here, zsystemuser, kenrockwell, and so on) haven't put up reviews for the Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Here at DPR, there's a gallery for it, but no review. That seems a bit unusual, since it is in stock (at Adorama, for example) and not very expensive.

Anyone have any idea why this might be?

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Nikon started shipping that lens very recently, just a couple of weeks ago. And IMO they are pricing it too high. I doubt that it is/will be all that popular, and the amount of interest is limited. I am hoping for discounts. If not, I won’t miss it.

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yes, it's too expensive and the FL is not my favorite one