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Nikon Z lens refresh - when?

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shuncheung said:
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
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For those "trinity zooms" such as the 24-70mm/f2.8 and 70-200mm/f2.8, Nikon tends to refresh them every 6 to 7 years, such that we are still maybe 2, 3 years away. The recent trend is that the 24-70/2.8 gets an expanded zoom range to either 20-70/2.8 (Sony) or 24-105/2.8 (Canon). The problem is that Canon's 24-105/2.8 and 28-70mm/f2 are 3-pound lenses. The 24-105/2.8 comes with a tripod collar. If I were a wedding, event photographer, I sure wouldn't want to hold such a heavy lens around all day, especially on a Z9 body.

I am pretty happy with the current Nikon Z 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 and 24-120/4. I would much rather see a 70-200mm/f4 in the Z mount. I still use my F version once in a while, mostly for video.
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Wait, what??? (Runs off to Google Canon 24-105 f2.8)

Wow. As a lover of the 24-120, I'd be all over a faster version! Yes, it would be bigger, but f2.8! Not that f4 is particularly restrictive, but f2.8.... I shoot a lot of events/clubs, and that would be a near-perfect lens for me. Even if it was bigger and heavier (Canon's lens is no bigger than say a 70-200mm f2.8 zoom). Come on Nikon!

20-70mm would be good. I'd be happy with an f4 version tbh.

Re 70-200 f4; I'd personally like a 120-300 f4. I accept it would be big, but it would be fantastic. The F-mount f2.8 lens is huge, and extremely expensive.

As for refreshing, unless they'e going to make some of the f1.8 primes smaller (yet retaining the same quality), I'd say don't bother. I it ant broke....
 
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Hal Wilson said:
shuncheung said:
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
Click to expand...
For those "trinity zooms" such as the 24-70mm/f2.8 and 70-200mm/f2.8, Nikon tends to refresh them every 6 to 7 years, such that we are still maybe 2, 3 years away. The recent trend is that the 24-70/2.8 gets an expanded zoom range to either 20-70/2.8 (Sony) or 24-105/2.8 (Canon). The problem is that Canon's 24-105/2.8 and 28-70mm/f2 are 3-pound lenses. The 24-105/2.8 comes with a tripod collar. If I were a wedding, event photographer, I sure wouldn't want to hold such a heavy lens around all day, especially on a Z9 body.

I am pretty happy with the current Nikon Z 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 and 24-120/4. I would much rather see a 70-200mm/f4 in the Z mount. I still use my F version once in a while, mostly for video.
Click to expand...
Wait, what??? (Runs off to Google Canon 24-105 f2.8)

Wow. As a lover of the 24-120, I'd be all over a faster version! Yes, it would be bigger, but f2.8! Not that f4 is particularly restrictive, but f2.8.... I shoot a lot of events/clubs, and that would be a near-perfect lens for me. Even if it was bigger and heavier (Canon's lens is no bigger than say a 70-200mm f2.8 zoom). Come on Nikon!
Click to expand...
Yeah! The lens everyone was waiting for. A optically compromised monster of 1,4kg that costs almost 4.000 Euro. It will sell like hot cakes. ;). If you are into event photography their lens is the 28-70/2.0 or the 35-150/2.8 from Tamron.
Hal Wilson said:
20-70mm would be good. I'd be happy with an f4 version tbh.
Click to expand...
That's a different story.
Hal Wilson said:
Re 70-200 f4; I'd personally like a 120-300 f4. I accept it would be big, but it would be fantastic. The F-mount f2.8 lens is huge, and extremely expensive.

As for refreshing, unless they'e going to make some of the f1.8 primes smaller (yet retaining the same quality), I'd say don't bother. I it ant broke....
Click to expand...
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Joachim
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I think they will update the 1.8 prime lenses first.

They need to add an aperture/multifunction ring. The S lenses also have varying filter sizes, so I bet the next versions are more standardized.

The 35mm S could be optically improved, and the 20mm S should be shorter (a great lens but sheesh that thing is huge).
 
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
Click to expand...
Too many lenses they haven’t released yet.

a cheaper variable aperture uwa zoom

a 70-300 vr

a 70-200 f4 or similar telephoto with vr

a 28 1.8 S

a 35 1.2

more small retro lenses

A 105 1.4 possibly plena

a fast ultra wide like a 14 1.8

any fisheye lens

any tc lens

they have a ways to go to just replace stuff we had in f mount still.
 
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Joachim Gerstl said:
Hal Wilson said:
shuncheung said:
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
Click to expand...
For those "trinity zooms" such as the 24-70mm/f2.8 and 70-200mm/f2.8, Nikon tends to refresh them every 6 to 7 years, such that we are still maybe 2, 3 years away. The recent trend is that the 24-70/2.8 gets an expanded zoom range to either 20-70/2.8 (Sony) or 24-105/2.8 (Canon). The problem is that Canon's 24-105/2.8 and 28-70mm/f2 are 3-pound lenses. The 24-105/2.8 comes with a tripod collar. If I were a wedding, event photographer, I sure wouldn't want to hold such a heavy lens around all day, especially on a Z9 body.

I am pretty happy with the current Nikon Z 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 and 24-120/4. I would much rather see a 70-200mm/f4 in the Z mount. I still use my F version once in a while, mostly for video.
Click to expand...
Wait, what??? (Runs off to Google Canon 24-105 f2.8)

Wow. As a lover of the 24-120, I'd be all over a faster version! Yes, it would be bigger, but f2.8! Not that f4 is particularly restrictive, but f2.8.... I shoot a lot of events/clubs, and that would be a near-perfect lens for me. Even if it was bigger and heavier (Canon's lens is no bigger than say a 70-200mm f2.8 zoom). Come on Nikon!
Click to expand...
Yeah! The lens everyone was waiting for. A optically compromised monster of 1,4kg that costs almost 4.000 Euro. It will sell like hot cakes. ;). If you are into event photography their lens is the 28-70/2.0 or the 35-150/2.8 from Tamron.
Click to expand...
28mm is not quite wide enough for a general purpose lens. 'Optically compromised'? How? Not saying it isn't, just curious of your opinion. As for price; the 24-70 f2.8 lenses are £2000 and up, so a 24-105/120 f2.8 would naturally cost a fair bit more again. I'd imagine a lot of pros are interested in that Canon lens. Pros tend not to baulk so much at how much stuff costs. Many are willing to spend £5000+ on a single camera body, and £10,000 on a single tele lens. As for the Tamron; see my earlier point about 28mm. 35mm is even worse in that respect.
Joachim Gerstl said:
Joachim Gerstl said:
20-70mm would be good. I'd be happy with an f4 version tbh.
Click to expand...
That's a different story.
Click to expand...
I've checked, and the Sony 20-70 is f4, and not f2.8. A Nikon equivalent can't be impossible.
Joachim Gerstl said:
Joachim Gerstl said:
Re 70-200 f4; I'd personally like a 120-300 f4. I accept it would be big, but it would be fantastic. The F-mount f2.8 lens is huge, and extremely expensive.

As for refreshing, unless they'e going to make some of the f1.8 primes smaller (yet retaining the same quality), I'd say don't bother. I it ant broke....
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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MrHollywood said:
With the Z lens lineup being excellent to superb, what can they do?

1) Make the lenses lighter/smaller.

2) Faster AF

3) Add aperture rings for some lenses.

4) Tweak optics (of course)

5) Make the Z lenses a bit more attractive. They're a bit on the ugly side!

In any case Nikon glass is in no need of a refresh and I doubt we'll see any for a while

Robert
Click to expand...
You forgot bokeh improvements.
 
jjz2 said:
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
Click to expand...
Too many lenses they haven’t released yet.

a cheaper variable aperture uwa zoom

a 70-300 vr

a 70-200 f4 or similar telephoto with vr

a 28 1.8 S

a 35 1.2

more small retro lenses

A 105 1.4 possibly plena

a fast ultra wide like a 14 1.8

any fisheye lens

any tc lens

they have a ways to go to just replace stuff we had in f mount still.
Click to expand...
Nikon released updated versions of many lenses on F mount while also still building out the lens inventory. The same will be the case on Z.
 
zachdog said:
I think they will update the 1.8 prime lenses first.

They need to add an aperture/multifunction ring. The S lenses also have varying filter sizes, so I bet the next versions are more standardized.

The 35mm S could be optically improved, and the 20mm S should be shorter (a great lens but sheesh that thing is huge).
Click to expand...
I agree all the f/1.8 could use an upgrade, but I don't think it's going to happen. At least not until 2030 or later. The f/1.4 primes seem to be Nikon's attempt at an "upgrade".

Historically consumer and pro zooms have had the most frequent refresh interval. The two f/2.8 trios would be my bet for lenses to be replaced first.
 
anotherMike said:
I think you over-estimate Nikons capability to introduce tons of lenses.

Lens design and manufacturer is not a quick process. It takes time, and testing, and isn't done casually.

I think you might see Nikon introduce some non-traditional focal length zooms as well as filling in some of the gaps. And that's what they should do.

As for the 24-70, 14-24, 70-200, they are at a quality level where they do not "lose" to any other manufacturer when the overall performance is looked at. Sure, lens A might be sharper on some moronic 10 sharpest lenses youtube video at one focal length, and lens B sharper at another, but those types of tests are quite limited and flawed.

Now sure, 7 years from now, perhaps we'll see something. But not now. Nikon has far bigger fish to fry, as the saying goes.
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Nikon's initial goal with Z-mount was to introduce the best possible lenses and they've done that. Their initial lens roadmap is now essentially complete, with S class and midrange lenses that stand usually at the top of their class and easily handle the performance demands of 45-60MP sensors. There's little reason for them to revisit these lens designs anytime soon.

Nikon's next lens line expansion will most likely be into videocentric lenses to address the hybrid photography/videography market.
 
I don't feel any of the Z lenses I own need improvements. But I would like to see some original zooms ranges of the type offered by Sigma and Sony.

example:

20-70 F4 (only if it matches the quality of the 24-70F4)

or a 20/24 to 40/50 1.8/2 Zoom lens

a new 70-200 F4VR or an update to the second generation Tamron 70-180 2.8 which I think has VR. Although since I own the G version and have gotten very comfortable with the S2.8 I probably would not buy it.

I would like an S line 1.8 16mm, 28mm and 40mm with the 40 being my most likely purchase. (I love the current 40 but always wish the wide open quality was better)
 
Fabian Joya said:
Nikon released updated versions of many lenses on F mount while also still building out the lens inventory. The same will be the case on Z.
Click to expand...
F mount was in a different era. Nikon has dramatically slowed down the rate at which they seam to be refreshing their gear. I don’t see them refreshing lenses any time soon. Echoing someone else’s thought, the purchase of RED seems to be an opening to start producing cinema lenses in addition to filling in quite a few gaps that still remain in their lens lineup.
 
The Z lenses are highly optimized and I don't think Nikon will mess with them for a while. Most of the F-mount lenses had bigger flaws and it was easier to introduce a new "better" version. Given the complexity of AF and IS, plus the more common use of aspherics, I suspect the cost and lead time of a new design is weighed very carefully before proceeding. It's all about ROI.
 
It wouldn’t surprise me if the 14-30 got refreshed. The common belief is that it’s one of the weaker Z mount lenses.

with the 70-180 f/2.8, is there a need for a 70-209 f/4? I understand it’s about the same size
 
Good point. I expect in 2025 we'll see a few of the Z primes we're waiting for (the 35/1.2S, maybe something wider) and then they'll probably put a couple of designers in a room to start working in cine lenses.
 
SethG said:
It wouldn’t surprise me if the 14-30 got refreshed. The common belief is that it’s one of the weaker Z mount lenses.
Click to expand...
The 14-30 is designed to depend on post processing to correct optical issues that can be fixed afterwards, e.g. distortion, etc., such that the lens can be smaller and use conventional 82mm filters. Otherwise, an optically better lens in the 14-24/2.8 already exists. Essentially you can either get more compromises with a smaller, cheaper lens or an expensive lens that use huge filters.
SethG said:
with the 70-180 f/2.8, is there a need for a 70-209 f/4? I understand it’s about the same size
Click to expand...
I prefer a Nikon design that takes full advantage of the 55mm Z mount diameter and has optical VR, not something designed to the Sony mount restrictions. I also would like to have the high-end coatings for S-class lenses. The F mount 70-200/4 AF-S VR is one of a few F mount lenses I still use, mostly for video as I use the 70-200/2.8 S for stills on another body at the same time.
 
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SethG said:
It wouldn’t surprise me if the 14-30 got refreshed. The common belief is that it’s one of the weaker Z mount lenses.

with the 70-180 f/2.8, is there a need for a 70-209 f/4? I understand it’s about the same size
Click to expand...
The 70-180 2.8 isn't even a Nikon lens, it's a rebranded Tamron.

It would be nice if Nikon put out their own actual lens either in a 70-200mm f4 or 70-300mm instead of using Tamron.

It also doesn't have VR, which is good for DX users (no DX bodies have IBIS).

These are basic lenses. Sony is on their 2nd 70-200mm f4 mirrorless lens already.
 
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jjz2 said:
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
Click to expand...
Too many lenses they haven’t released yet.

a cheaper variable aperture uwa zoom

a 70-300 vr

a 70-200 f4 or similar telephoto with vr

a 28 1.8 S

a 35 1.2

more small retro lenses

A 105 1.4 possibly plena

a fast ultra wide like a 14 1.8

any fisheye lens

any tc lens

they have a ways to go to just replace stuff we had in f mount still.
Click to expand...
I agree. I’d rather have a new 70-300 S before any of my current lenses are refreshed. I suspect a high quality 70-300 f/2.8-4 S would be very popular if the size can be kept reasonably small.
 
msu79gt82 said:
jjz2 said:
Fabian Joya said:
When do you think we'll start seeing Nikon refreshing their Z lens lineup? The first Z lenses were released in 2018, six years ago. My guess would be not until 2026-2027?

And which lenses do you think will be refreshed first? The trio of f/2.8 zooms seems to be the safe bet here, but perhaps there will be some surprises?
Click to expand...
Too many lenses they haven’t released yet.

a cheaper variable aperture uwa zoom

a 70-300 vr

a 70-200 f4 or similar telephoto with vr

a 28 1.8 S

a 35 1.2

more small retro lenses

A 105 1.4 possibly plena

a fast ultra wide like a 14 1.8

any fisheye lens

any tc lens

they have a ways to go to just replace stuff we had in f mount still.
Click to expand...
I agree. I’d rather have a new 70-300 S before any of my current lenses are refreshed. I suspect a high quality 70-300 f/2.8-4 S would be very popular if the size can be kept reasonably small.
Click to expand...
Yes, that would be fantastic.

Basically a lens like this:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1242614-REG/sony_sel70300g_fe_70_300mm_f_4_5_5_6_g.html/

Keep it S class lens, keep the size down similar 800-850g, make the optics like the 24-120mm, keep price similar in line with the 14-30, 24-120 f4 type lenses.

The 100-400 is really too much lens both on price 2500 and size 1400g to me.

On the other hand, the Tamron 70-300 is a bit too basic.
 
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And to add to that, for most top end lenses, perhaps the opportunity is more in the area of weight and size reduction vs optical excellence. I suspect V2 of lenses such as 50 f1.2 etc may see improvement in size and weight, same for their f1.8S lenses too I think.



I would think they have at least the following to add before they refresh: 300mm f2.8S (or a 100-300 f2.8S Zoom), 200mm macro, 200mm f2S, 14mm f1.8S, 28mm f1.4/1.2S and the already awaited 35mm f1.2S. And perhaps Cine lenses after Red acquisition.
 
Sandy27000 said:
And to add to that, for most top end lenses, perhaps the opportunity is more in the area of weight and size reduction vs optical excellence. I suspect V2 of lenses such as 50 f1.2 etc may see improvement in size and weight, same for their f1.8S lenses too I think.

I would think they have at least the following to add before they refresh: 300mm f2.8S (or a 100-300 f2.8S Zoom), 200mm macro, 200mm f2S, 14mm f1.8S, 28mm f1.4/1.2S and the already awaited 35mm f1.2S. And perhaps Cine lenses after Red acquisition.
Click to expand...
Size, weight, ergonomic and bokeh improvements are all things I expect in the next generation of lenses.

It's actually very bad news if the current Z lenses never see improved versions. It means the camera market is pretty much dead, and Nikon will have a harder time funding their R&D.

Another way to look at this is that Nikon introduced their best-selling lenses first (for the most part - there are of course exceptions). New lens releases will be more and more marginal in terms of sales. (The exception would be technological improvements that allow for new lens types to be designed).

At some point it is much more profitable to improve existing lenses than to release ever more esoteric lenses only a tiny subset of buyers want.

(Imagine if Apple insisted that the iPhone 12 was good enough and stopped releasing new phones, focusing only on new products like air tags etc. instead.)
 
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