Inexpensive Yet Excellent

Nikkor Z 40 mm f/2 | ₹21,995

- Rohinton Mehta

Inside the Box

Lens

Front lens cap LC-52B

Rear lens cap LF –N1

The all-purpose ultra-compact Nikkor Z 40 mm f/2 prime lens was introduced in India on September 14, 2021. It is designed for full frame (FX) but can be used with Nikon’s APS-C sensor camera bodies. It is a convenient lens for video, landscapes, street photography, travel and day-to-day family photos. Being an f/2 lens, it can be used for low-light photography.

Design & Build Quality

The Nikkor Z 40 mm f/2 lens is designed for the Z-series camera bodies. Though a full-frame (FX) lens, the weight is a mere 170 g. The outer body is made with engineering plastic and the lens appears neat. The lens mount is plastic, but is unlikely to break unless you use it roughly. Filter thread is 52 mm and the lens is made in Thailand.

Key Features

The lens is constructed with six elements in four groups that include two aspherical elements to mitigate lens aberrations. Super Integrated Coating is applied to certain elements to improve transmission of light and minimise flare and ghosting. Autofocus is controlled using a Stepping Motor (STM) that ensures good AF speed and silent operation.

The diaphragm uses nine aperture blades. The lens design controls focus breathing to a minimum. The Z 40 mm f/2 is designed with video creators in mind but can be as easily used by ‘stills’ photographers – its operation is smooth and quiet and hence the camera operation sounds will not be picked up by the camera’s in-built microphone during video. On APS-C sensor Nikon Camera bodies, the equivalent focal length will be 60 mm.