Introduction
The Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is the primary ultra-wide lens that Nikon has made for his or her DX mirrorless cameras. It’s mild and cheap, weighing simply 205 grams (0.45 kilos) and costing $360. That is additionally Nikon’s first Z lens with an influence zoom mechanism (therefore “PZ” within the identify), which means that the zoom ring shouldn’t be mechanically coupled to something, much like a focus-by-wire system. This characteristic – together with advantages like the interior zooming design and vibration discount – are made with videographers in thoughts, and Nikon’s advertising actually emphasizes that. On the identical time, at the very least on paper, the lens additionally makes quite a lot of sense for nonetheless photographers who desire a broad angle lens to pair with their Z DX digital camera.
Nikon has been accused for years of ignoring their DX digital camera methods in favor of their FX cameras (see Nikon DX vs FX for an evidence of the variations). It’s an affordable grievance to have. Within the six years between the launch of the Nikon Z mirrorless system and the time of this evaluate’s publication, Nikon has solely introduced 5 devoted Z DX lenses. And it wasn’t till 2023 that the primary ultra-wide Z DX lens – this 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ – appeared. Till it did, Nikon Z DX photographers had no simple approach to attain the widest focal lengths.
It’s nonetheless slightly irritating that Nikon doesn’t make a wider Z DX lens than this, admittedly. 12mm is a pleasant focal size on DX cameras, equal to about 18mm on full-frame, however some photographers will likely need a good wider lens. One thing akin to the F-mount Nikon DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 would have been welcome, or perhaps a prime lens round 8mm or 10mm. However till Nikon releases such a lens, the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ is by far the obvious ultra-wide lens for Z DX photographers. That’s why I used to be keen to place it to the check!
On this hands-on evaluate, I’ll cowl every part it’s essential know concerning the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and whether or not it’s the best lens for you. I’ve examined it extensively each within the subject and within the lab, and a few of what I realized shocked me. Does the low value replicate low high quality? Is the facility zooming mechanism awkward or environment friendly? At the moment’s evaluate will reply these questions and extra.
Construct High quality
The Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ is a small, light-weight lens constructed with extra of a price range viewers in thoughts. It weighs a mere 205 grams (0.45 lbs), making it considerably lighter than most ultra-wide lenses, particularly zooms. After all, it solely has to cowl the smaller DX sensor measurement, however its weight is spectacular even contemplating that. By comparability, it weighs lower than half as a lot as any full-frame (FX) broad angle zoom for Nikon’s mirrorless system.
At some stage, this design – prioritizing mild weight and low value – comes on the expense of some construct high quality. Nikon makes use of a cheaper-feeling plastic for the main target ring and the very entrance of the lens barrel, though the majority of the lens is made of higher plastic. The lens mount can also be plastic moderately than metallic. And there’s no rubber seal on the lens mount for preserving out mud and moisture, though there’s different climate sealing all through the lens.
I used to be shocked (and impressed) to search out out that the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ zooms utterly internally moderately than externally. Solely a really small handful of different ultra-wide zooms can say the identical. Even Nikon’s most costly Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S has a entrance component that strikes ahead and backward as you zoom. Consequently, I’d really feel comfy utilizing the 12-28mm PZ in harsh circumstances the place many ultra-wide zooms would concern me. Not dangerous for a $360 lens.
That stated, I’ll point out that after I used this lens for just a few hours in a excessive humidity atmosphere, it skilled a little bit of inside fogging on the entrance component. This isn’t unusual in such climate circumstances (even Hasselblad’s $5900 20-35mm zoom fogged up on the identical time), though I do assume it’s value mentioning. If you end up utilizing this lens in very moist circumstances, I like to recommend following the ideas we outlined in our article on defending your gear from humidity.
In any case, there have been no lingering points with the lens, and the fog rapidly dissipated after I introduced it again to a extra typical atmosphere. I wouldn’t have any issues utilizing the DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ for day-to-day images, together with in opposed climate. The interior zoom and the climate sealing are sufficient to make it a succesful lens in a variety of circumstances.
Dealing with
The Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ doesn’t have very many dealing with options to talk of. There’s the zoom ring and the main target ring, in fact. However disappointingly, there aren’t any different controls. The lacking autofocus/guide focus change is particularly noteworthy and isn’t one thing I discover justifiable even on a price range lens like this.
Many photographers shall be curious whether or not the facility zoom characteristic on the Z DX 12-28mm PZ is well-designed or not. Personally, I nonetheless choose the reassuring mechanical development of most zoom lenses. However I’ll say that Nikon’s implementation of energy zoom on this lens shouldn’t be dangerous in any respect. There isn’t any considerable lag when altering the focal size, and it’s simple to dial in your composition with out overshooting in both course. Even when I attempt to spin the zoom ring as rapidly as doable (sooner than I’d ever do for actual images), the zoom is just a hair behind how briskly I flip it.
I nonetheless want that you could possibly look down on the lens to see your focal size, if solely to know rapidly how a lot additional you continue to have out there in both course. However on steadiness, the facility zoom characteristic was much less obtrusive than I anticipated it to be for nonetheless images, and naturally, a welcome characteristic for some videographers. I do advocate turning on the “Save zoom place (PZ lenses)” menu possibility, as a result of in any other case, the focal size annoyingly resets whenever you flip the digital camera on and off.
Lastly – and considerably unusually for an ultra-wide lens – the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 does have vibration discount. It is a welcome sight, particularly on condition that Nikon’s present DX cameras (the Z30, Z50, and Zfc on the time of this evaluate’s publication) would not have in-body picture stabilization. Each nonetheless photographers and videographers will discover it a really helpful addition to the lens.
Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR Specs
- Full Identify: Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
- Mount Kind: Nikon Z Mount, DX sensor measurement
- Focal Size: 12-28mm (2.3× zoom)
- Angle of View (DX): 99° to 53°
- Most Aperture: f/3.5 at 12mm; f/5.6 at 28mm
- Minimal Aperture: f/16 at 12mm; f/25 at 28mm
- Aperture Blades: 7
- Filter Measurement: 67mm
- Lens Parts: 12
- Lens Teams: 11
- Particular Parts: 1 aspherical, 1 ED glass
- ARNEO Coating: No
- Nano Crystal Coating: No
- Tremendous Built-in Coating: No
- Fluorine Coated Entrance Ingredient: No
- Digital Diaphragm: Sure
- Vibration Discount: Sure
- Inside Focusing: Sure
- Inside Zooming: Sure
- Management Rings: Focus ring and zoom ring, each electronically coupled
- Focus Motor: STM
- Minimal Focus Distance: 0.19 meters (7.5 inches)
- Most Magnification: 0.21× (1:4.8)
- Mount Materials: Plastic
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 64 x 72 mm (2.5 × 2.8 inches)
- Weight: 205 g (0.45 lbs)
- MSRP: $359.95 (test present new value and test present used value / availability)
Right here is the development of the lens, courtesy of Nikon:
The following web page of this evaluate covers the optical traits of the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness exams within the lab. So, click on the menu under to go to “Optical Efficiency”: