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Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
Photo 1 of 9

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon · NIKKOR

NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S

Released April 2019

A retractable full-frame Z-mount ultra-wide zoom with a constant f/4 aperture, internal focusing and an 82 mm screw-in filter thread.

Mount
Nikon Z mount
Focal length
14–30 mm
Max aperture
f/4
Stabilisation
No
Weight
485 g

What reviewers say

Both find it a compact, light ultra-wide zoom with sharp images, little colour fringing and quick, quiet focusing. They particularly value the ability to attach normal front filters and regard the f/4 aperture and price as its main compromises. Photography Blog recommends it for travel and landscapes, but finds fairly visible wide-open corner shading. Digital Camera World praises sharpness into the corners and finds uncorrected shading noticeable but less severe. Both report little visible distortion in their tested images.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
14–30 mm
Maximum aperture
f/4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Fourteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
Four ED and four aspherical elements
Coatings
Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element
Aperture detail
Constant f/4 maximum; f/22 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
FX 114°–72°; DX 90°–50°

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.28 m
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Nikon describes a multi-focusing system and virtually silent stepping-motor autofocus
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing; minimum 0.28 m from focal plane at all zoom positions
Stabilisation detail
Uses compatible cameras' in-body VR; Nikon quotes up to five stops under CIPA conditions for its original camera system, not optical stabilisation in the lens
Video features
Nikon describes reduced focus breathing and focus shift while zooming, quiet autofocus and silent aperture control

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
89 mm
Length
85 mm
Weight
485 g
Controls
Zoom ring, programmable focus/control ring and A/M switch; no focus-distance scale. Control ring supports exposure compensation in AF
Zoom design
Retractable barrel, extended by turning the zoom ring; must extend to a shooting focal length before use
Filter detail
82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch; flat front accepts filters without a dedicated ultra-wide filter holder
Weather resistance
Nikon states sealing of moving barrel parts against dust and water droplets; not a waterproof guarantee
Dimensions detail
Approximately 89 mm maximum diameter × 85 mm from the lens mount flange when retracted
Weight detail
Approximately 485 g
Lens hood
HB-86 included
In the box
LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-86 hood and CL-C1 case
Release detail
Nikon School UK states on sale April 2019. Photography Blog still described pre-orders on April 29; a confirmed first retail day was not found, so the maker's month precision is retained

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Accepts ordinary 82 mm screw-in filters
  • Retractable barrel and 485 g weight
  • Minimum focus distance of 0.28 m throughout the zoom range

Cons

  • Must be extended before shooting
  • No focus-distance scale
  • No optical vibration reduction

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Nikon Z mount14–24 mmf/2.8No650 gNov 2020
Nikon Z mount17–28 mmf/2.8No450 gOct 2022
Nikon Z mount24–50 mmf/4–6.3No195 gAug 2020

Sources

  1. nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-14-30mm-f4-s
  2. nikonschool.co.uk/hints-and-tips/your-nikon-school-guide-to-the-new-z-mount-len…
  3. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_14_30mm_f4_s_review
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_14_30mm_f4_s_review/conclusion
  5. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/nikon-nikkor-z-14-30mm-f4-s-review

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

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