For the reason that introduction of the Nikon Z System virtually seven years in the past, Nikon has completed an excellent job filling out their lineup of mirrorless lenses. We now have 42 distinctive lens designs masking the primary necessities a photographer might have. However I wouldn’t say that Nikon’s Z lenses really feel “full” fairly but, even taking third-party choices under consideration. What are we nonetheless lacking? Is there any probability we’ll get a few of these lenses quickly? I don’t have a crystal ball, however the next lenses are what I take into account to be the largest remaining gaps within the Z System. Hopefully we see a few of them seem earlier than lengthy.
Specialty Lenses
Thus far, we’ve seen a few specialty lenses for the Nikon Z System – just like the Noct and the 28-135mm PZ – however I’d argue that it’s not sufficient. Specialty glass is typically exactly what makes on-the-fence photographers decide a model and turn out to be loyal fanboys for all times; they serve a objective even when they don’t promote too many copies. So, I hope that we begin to see a number of the following lens designs quickly.
- Tilt-shift lenses: Nikon has a possibility right here to beat each Canon and Sony by releasing a set of tilt-shift lenses for his or her mirrorless system. On the DSLR aspect of issues, Nikon has 19mm, 24mm, 45mm, and 85mm tilt-shift glass. An identical set of focal lengths can be very best for the Z system (though there’s definitely room to alter issues right here and there). Bonus factors if the brand new tilt-shifts have autofocus, though it’s not likely essential.
- A fisheye: A transparent sufficient scenario. Fisheyes aren’t tremendous in style as of late, however there’s nonetheless an viewers for them, and Nikon will in all probability have to make a devoted Z System fisheye ultimately. (More than likely, will probably be one other zoom within the vein of the F-mount 8-15mm fisheye.)
- Extra PZ and/or cine lenses: Now that Nikon owns RED, they’re within the video world for the lengthy haul. As such, I believe it’s important to maintain constructing out their lineup of devoted video-oriented lenses. The obvious decisions can be some extra zoom lenses to enhance the 28-135mm f/4 PZ: a wide-angle and telephoto zoom, plus a midrange zoom with a sooner aperture. However I might additionally see a lineup of cine primes that makes use of standardized barrel development and prioritizes minimal focus respiration. If I needed to take a shot at midnight, I’d predict that these will probably be a number of the subsequent specialty Nikon lenses we see.
- A specialty bokeh lens: Again within the day, Nikon’s 105mm f/2 DC and 135mm f/2 DC lenses allowed photographers to regulate the standard of the background and foreground blur utilizing a “defocus management”ring. Extra lately, lenses like Canon’s 85mm f/1.2 DS have a gentle ND coating on an inner factor to blur the perimeters of out-of-focus highlights. Thus far, Nikon doesn’t have any Z lenses with these types of options.
- An extended macro lens: It’s been ages since Nikon made a macro lens with a focal size longer than 105mm. Personally, I believe it’s time for them to introduce a 180mm, 200mm, or perhaps even 300mm lens that may attain 1:1 magnification. One of these lens isn’t even too specialty; virtually each macro photographer has wished, at occasions, an extended working distance so as to keep away from scaring away skittish topics.
- An ultra-macro lens: This one is certainly extra area of interest, however I believe there’s a transparent marketplace for an autofocus-capable lens that may attain past 1:1 magnification. Actually, we now have already seen this with the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (which might attain 1.4x magnification), however that’s not sufficient. I’m envisioning a devoted ultra-macro lens within the fashion of Canon’s outdated MP-E 65mm f/2.8 that might solely focus within the vary from 1x to 5x magnification. Specialty, sure. However in the mean time, Nikon is ceding that floor to third-party firms whose lenses have severe limitations.
- A zoom macro lens: Seems to be like I’m on a macro lens kick right this moment! However the actuality is that that is additionally an under-loved section of the market. Not since Nikon’s 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D from 1997 have they produced a zoom lens with “macro” within the title. And whereas it’s true that a couple of Nikon zooms have better-than-expected shut focus capabilities (see Nikon’s Secret Macro Lens), we’re nonetheless lacking native 1:1 capabilities in a zoom. Possibly the marketplace for such a lens isn’t so large, though I’d level out that Sony’s 70-200mm f/4 Macro – which might attain 0.5x – was undoubtedly well-received. Nikon has an opportunity to one-up it by boosting the magnification a bit.
Huge-Angle Lenses
Nikon has a pleasant lineup of ultra-wides already for his or her mirrorless cameras (at the very least on the full-frame aspect of issues). Between the 14-24mm f/2.8 S, the 14-30mm f/4 S, the 17-28mm f/2.8, the 20mm f/1.8, and the 24mm f/1.8, it’s exhausting to argue that there’s an excessive amount of lacking. That stated, trying to different producers for inspiration, there are a couple of potentialities that haven’t come to gentle but.
- Any sub-14mm lens: That is in all probability probably the most urgent kind of ultra-wide lens that Nikon ought to add to their lineup. Whereas I personally have little interest in something wider than 14mm, it’s clear that there’s a section of panorama, architectural, and even occasion photographers who admire the ultra-ultra-wide views. Sony already has a 12-24mm f/2.8, and Canon has a 10-20mm f/4, so we’ll in all probability see a competitor from Nikon sooner or later.
- 14mm or 16mm f/1.8: Sony truly has each of those lenses already, so clearly they’ve decided that there’s at the very least some market right here for a brilliant ultra-wide prime. Personally, I’d undoubtedly take into account such a lens for Milky Manner images. Sigma even has a 14mm f/1.4, though I believe the load and worth of such a lens makes it much more area of interest.
- 16mm, 18mm, and/or 20mm f/2.8: An ultra-light prime within the 16-20mm vary can be a compelling lens to pair with the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 and Nikon Z 40mm f/2 lenses. That stated, based mostly on the poor high quality of the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8, I’m undecided how possible it’s to take care of a excessive degree of picture high quality with such a lens.
- Extremely-wide to regular zoom: This class of lens continues to be unusual, however we do have at the very least the Sony 20-70mm f/4 to serve for instance. An identical Nikon lens would make for an excellent do-it-all zoom, doubtlessly permitting you to depart the devoted ultra-wide at house.
- 20mm, 24mm, and/or 28mm f/1.4: Nikon began a lineup of f/1.4 primes for the Z System fairly lately, and thus far the widest one is a 35mm f/1.4. I anticipate that we are going to see one thing wider earlier than lengthy, with a 24mm f/1.4 putting me because the almost definitely. Each Canon and Sony have already got such a lens, and Nikon did as effectively for the F-mount. However maybe we’ll get a distinct focal size as an alternative? Canon has a 20mm f/1.4, and Nikon has the famend F-mount 28mm f/1.4E, so these focal lengths are potentialities as effectively.
- A wider f/1.2 lens: This one could be a stretch – it will definitely be heavy and costly, much more so than the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S – however it will be fairly candy to see a 24mm f/1.2 or 28mm f/1.2 one in all as of late.
Regular Lenses / Brief Telephotos
That is the world that Nikon has fleshed out probably the most, so there’s not an excessive amount of lacking within the realm of regular lenses and quick telephotos. However there are a couple of gaps that might be good to fill.
- 24-105mm f/2.8 S: Nikon already has two midrange f/2.8 zooms, however they max out at 70mm and 75mm respectively. Judging by Canon’s RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L, including extra attain on the telephoto lens leads to a significantly heavy and costly lens. However, it’s such a helpful mixture of focal size and aperture that I’m positive some photographers have jumped to the RF System only for that lens. I believe Nikon ought to goal to compete with it if they will.
- 28-70mm f/2 S: Canon and Sony each have a 28-70mm f/2 lens at this level. And though it’s a wild kind of lens – significantly costly and hardly small – it feels prefer it’s lastly time for Nikon to launch a zoom that’s sooner than f/2.8. I don’t notably care if Nikon’s model can be a 28-70mm f/2, or in the event that they push issues additional with a 24-70mm f/2 or a 28-70mm f/1.8. The underside line is that such a lens might be a convincing flagship zoom, and I believe it must be one thing for Nikon to prioritize quickly.
- 75mm f/2.8: For the time being, Nikon is lacking a cheap, light-weight telephoto prime to enhance the Z 28mm f/2.8 and Z 40mm f/2 lenses. Something round 60mm to 85mm can be logical, in all probability with a most aperture of f/2.8 however presumably f/2.
- 85mm f/1.4: Not a lot to say about this one – it’s virtually definitely a lens that Nikon is growing already, and will probably be a helpful complement to the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 and Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 when it arrives.
- 105mm f/1.4 S: The F-mount model of this lens is one in all Nikon’s most beloved quick telephotos. I’d like to see it be part of the Z System. Alternatively, a 105mm f/1.8 or 105mm f/2 might be an attention-grabbing alternative if Nikon desires to prioritize lighter weight.
Telephoto and Supertelephoto Lenses
Nikon has among the finest supertelephoto lineups of any firm in the mean time, however there’s nonetheless room for a couple of extra. The next lacking lenses stand out to me probably the most.
- 70-200mm f/4 S: If you happen to’ve ever heard me discuss this subject earlier than, you knew this one was going to return up. To me, this has been the largest and most obtrusive omission in Nikon’s mirrorless lineup since day one. In some way, virtually seven years into the Z system, we nonetheless don’t have a light-weight telephoto lens with S-level picture high quality! In the meantime, Canon, Sony, and even Panasonic have a 70-200mm f/4 lens (Sony already has two), so I can’t actually imagine that it will be a foul vendor. Such a lens can be the best complement to the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S and Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S, forming a trio of small however high-quality f/4 zooms – serving to fulfill the promise of mirrorless to be extra moveable than DSLRs with out sacrificing high quality.
- 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6: I discover it shocking that Nikon made so many lenses like this for the F mount, and never a single one for his or her mirrorless cameras. The excellent news is that Tamron does have such a lens (the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3), and it’s not a foul performer. However I believe that Nikon can do higher.
- 200mm f/2: There was a latest rumor – fairly effectively confirmed – that Laowa is producing a 200mm f/2 lens with autofocus for Nikon Z (launch date not but identified, however we’ve already seen leaked images of it). I’m fairly enthusiastic about testing it, however I believe Nikon missed a possibility to beat Laowa to the punch. Their F-mount 200mm f/2 lenses had been all the time somewhat area of interest, however very helpful for the photographers who appreciated them.
- 300mm f/2.8: This one in all probability goes with out saying, but it surely’s undoubtedly one of many greatest gaps nonetheless left within the Z System. The 300mm f/2.8 is a traditional lens for a lot of causes, not least of which as a result of it’s lots lighter and smaller than one thing like a 400mm f/2.8. (See Sony’s impressively moveable FE 300mm f/2.8 GM for proof.) I’d be shocked if Nikon isn’t engaged on this lens already. However will it have a built-in teleconverter, and can it compete with Sony’s model in portability? Additionally – is there an opportunity that Nikon will skip the 300mm f/2.8 prime and simply make it a zoom?
- 500mm f/4: One other in style F-mount telephoto design that may in all probability make its method to the Z System in the end. The 500mm f/4 is an efficient steadiness between attain, most aperture, and portability. It’s additionally prone to be considerably cheaper than the Z 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses. Possibly Nikon will make it an f/4.5 as an alternative of an f/4 to save lots of much more weight and worth.
- Something longer than 800mm: A focal size of 800mm is already overkill for a lot of conditions, and I’d personally simply use a teleconverter within the uncommon occasion that I wanted one thing longer. However not all photographers will agree. If Nikon decides they wish to compete with Canon’s RF 1200mm f/8 L, perhaps we’ll see them cross the 800mm barrier for the primary time in a very long time.
- An unique supertelephoto zoom: The precise focal size and aperture for such a lens is difficult to take a position, however two choices might embrace a 120-300mm f/2.8 and a 200-400mm f/4. Or perhaps we’ll see one thing even crazier like a 300-600mm f/4 to compete with Sigma’s. In any case, I assume that Nikon is already engaged on an unique supertelephoto zoom and is simply attempting to nail down the small print. My prediction is that it’s going to have a built-in teleconverter. (Keep in mind that Nikon’s first lens with an built-in TC wasn’t for the Z system in any respect; it was the AF-S 180-400mm f/4E TC.)
- A 1.7x teleconverter: I can’t say that I anticipate to see this one any time quickly, primarily as a result of the 1.4x and a pair of.0x combo that Nikon already presents might be lots for nearly anybody’s wants. However, their 1.7x TCs had been fairly in style within the DSLR days, so perhaps they’ll produce one thing comparable for the Z System as effectively.
DX Lenses
There are too many lacking DX lenses to checklist, so I received’t attempt to be complete under. However I hope that we see at the very least the next choices.
- A quick midrange zoom with VR: To me, that is the naked minimal lens that Nikon should launch if they need us to take DX significantly. One thing like a 16-55mm f/2.8 VR would match the invoice. And I specify “VR” as a result of that’s been the primary motive why adapting FX lenses has been iffy on DX cameras thus far: None of Nikon’s DX our bodies has in-body picture stabilization, not even the Z50 II.
- A quick ultra-wide with VR: For tripod-based customers, Viltrox and Sigma have stepped up right here with a 13mm f/1.4 and 12mm f/1.4 respectively (the Sigma rumored to be launched imminently). However I’d actually prefer to see a local different from Nikon – hopefully one with picture stabilization. It doesn’t essentially should be an f/1.4 prime; an f/2.8 zoom would even be helpful. Both approach, such a lens can be important for the journey video/vlogging crowd that Nikon appears to need to draw however by no means fairly attracts.
- Extra devoted primes with VR: Nikon Z DX customers haven’t any scarcity of nice full-frame prime lenses that they will adapt. Nonetheless, hardly any of those lenses have vibration discount, which isn’t very best contemplating the dearth of IBIS in Nikon’s DX cameras. Nikon actually wants to supply extra primes with VR in order that their DX customers don’t run into points with handheld taking pictures. Close to the highest of the checklist, for my part, can be a 16mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, and 85mm f/1.8. However even one or two of that set would go a great distance towards making DX extra viable.
- f/1.8 zooms: It’s time for Nikon to channel Sigma’s f/1.8 APS-C zooms with a few of their very own. This may be a real signal that Nikon takes DX significantly – one thing like a 10-18mm f/1.8, 18-50mm f/1.8, 50-150mm f/1.8 combo. If Nikon releases these alongside a extra superior DX physique (30-ish megapixels, IBIS, and in any other case as succesful because the Z50 II), it will be an unbelievable assertion and proof that they’re not simply phoning it in with DX.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z System has come a great distance thus far, providing a large sufficient vary of lenses to be viable for many photographers. However that doesn’t imply it’s full; the lists above, with over three dozen doubtlessly helpful lenses, are a testomony to that.
I can hardly guess which of them we’ll see subsequent, however I do really feel assured that this isn’t the tip of recent Nikon Z glass. Within the Z period thus far, Nikon has averaged about six new lenses every year – though we solely received three in 2024 and solely two thus far in 2025. Even when issues are slowing down, likelihood is excessive that you simply’ll ultimately see the lens you’ve been pining for, no matter which may be.
Which of the lenses on this article are you hoping for probably the most? Did I miss any that you simply’d prefer to see? I’m to listen to your ideas, so be happy to share within the feedback under! And who is aware of, perhaps somebody at Nikon will see a preferred remark and lift your request up the chain. Then we would lastly get a 70-200mm f/4 S! Nicely, a person can dream…