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Home → Cameras and Lenses

We’re Nearing the End of the Nikon Z Lens Roadmap

By Spencer Cox 87 Comments
Last Updated On July 23, 2021

It’s been almost three years since Nikon announced the Z mirrorless system in August of 2018. The initial Z6 and Z7 were accompanied by three lenses (24-70mm f/4, 35mm f/1.8, and 50mm f/1.8) as well as a roadmap which promised 20 more by the end of 2021. That’s about where we are today.

To put things into perspective, here’s the first roadmap announced alongside the early Z-series cameras, with a total of 23 lenses (eleven of which had no identifying information other than a placeholder):

First Nikon Z Roadmap

This plan shuffled around a bit (the 70-200mm f/2.8 and 20mm f/1.8 shipping later than planned; the 24mm f/1.8 shipping earlier) but Nikon largely stuck to the script. So far, 20 Nikon Z lenses plus two teleconverters are shipping already, and it looks like Nikon will indeed hit the 23 lens mark by the end of 2021.

Here’s how the most current Nikon Z roadmap looks:

Although the roadmap has changed in appearance since the original version, it’s been about the same for roughly a year at this point. Occasionally, Nikon will release a new development announcement (like for the 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 DX) and add it to the roadmap. But Nikon hasn’t added a large batch of lenses to the list for a while, and that means we’re filling in the roadmap faster than it’s expanding.

In the image above, Nikon labels the following nine lenses as “to be announced”:

  • 85mm S-line lens
  • 400mm S-line lens
  • 600mm S-line lens
  • 28mm compact lens
  • 40mm compact lens
  • 24-105mm S-line lens
  • 100-400mm S-line lens
  • 200-600mm lens
  • 18-140mm DX lens

But even that’s a bit of a stretch. Three of those lenses have already received a development announcement (the 28mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2, and 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 DX), and one is practically shipping already – the 28mm f/2.8 in its “SE” (special edition) form when bought with the Nikon Zfc camera.

This leaves six lenses that are completely unannounced: an 85mm (presumably f/1.2), 400mm (presumably f/2.8), 600mm (presumably f/4), 24-105mm, 100-400mm, and 200-600mm. Unless Nikon starts pre-announcing a lot of new lenses, the roadmap in its current form will be essentially complete by the end of the year.

Nikon Z Cameras for Landscape Photography
Nikon Z7 + 20mm f/1.8 @ 20mm, ISO 64, 1/6, f/11.0

Where do we go from there? Nikon has historically liked to keep its cards close to its chest. When the Z series was originally announced, many photographers were surprised to see a roadmap published alongside at all. It’s quite possible that Nikon will stop maintaining the roadmap now that we’re near the end. It may not be updated at all, or we may only see some development announcements added here and there.

The alternative is that Nikon will take the end of the first-generation roadmap as motivation to create a new version with many more new lenses, just like they did when initially announcing the Z system. Although this probably isn’t as likely to happen, it’s what I think many Nikon faithful are hoping for. One of the most consistently popular articles on Photography Life these past few years has been our analysis of the Nikon Z roadmap. The roadmap is clearly generating interest and anticipation among Nikon shooters – and probably grabbing the attention of some non-Nikon photographers who are considering jumping to the system.

If Nikon does choose to announce another roadmap, these are the lenses I’m hearing requested the most in emails and our comments section (with rough focal lengths and maximum apertures):

  • 70-200mm f/4
  • 70-300mm f/4-6.3
  • 14mm f/1.8
  • 35mm f/1.2
  • 135mm f/1.8
  • 200mm f/4 macro
  • 300mm f/2.8
  • 24mm or wider tilt-shift lens
  • Any fisheye lens
  • Any PF telephoto lens
  • 10-24mm DX
  • Any DX prime lenses
  • Fast DX zoom lenses

The Z system is getting to the point that the basic lens needs are nearly covered. What’s left is for Nikon to fill out some of the few remaining gaps (especially on the telephoto end) and then start working on niche lenses that will attract more specialized photographers to these cameras.

Nikon may not be planning to maintain a detailed roadmap forever, and while I hope they do, the real key hasn’t changed. If Nikon can keep producing high-quality mirrorless lenses at a fast enough pace, the Z system will continue to get more advanced and competitive over time.

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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Essays, Lens, Nikon, Nikon Lens, Nikon Mirrorless, Nikon Z, Roadmap

About Spencer Cox

I'm Spencer Cox, a landscape photographer based in Colorado. I started writing for Photography Life a decade ago, and now I run the website in collaboration with Nasim. I've used nearly every digital camera system under the sun, but for my personal work, I love the slow-paced nature of large format film. You can see more at my personal website and my not-exactly-active Instagram page.

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Jon
Jon
September 21, 2021 12:32 pm

Yes I’d be interested in a 35mm with superb optics whether f/1.2 or 1.4. The current Z35/1.8 is good but not great. However before I invest in more Z glass Nikon has to catch up AF wise. If it cannot I’m thinking of moving (gasp!) to S or C.

1
Reply
Elevn
Elevn
August 30, 2021 9:29 pm

I’m more looking forward to see third party joining the battle.
Sigma dg dn series! Particularly 35 1.4 art, 85 1.4 art and 100-400 C (Poor me, I can’t afford a $3000 Z 100-400mm now) :P

1
Reply
Robin
Robin
August 24, 2021 4:14 pm

What about good lenses for video that are also great for photography? Where are the 18-35 f2.8 or 20mm or 24mm f1.4 (or lower) lenses?

0
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Owney
Owney
July 30, 2021 12:47 pm

As a high school sports photographer I am looking forward to the Z 100-400mm. For afternoon games I start out with a D500 & 70-300 AF-P and when the lighting conditions change I switch to 70-200 f2.8 w/ 1.4 tc. Once all sunlight is gone I drop the 1.4 tc. When the 100-400 is released I will start using it with a Z 6ii during team practices to prepare for a change to mirrorless someday.

1
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UrbexMark
UrbexMark
Reply to  Owney
August 2, 2021 1:28 pm

Seems like a good plan.

A little OT but I’m curious what kind of ISO/shutter speeds you are able to maintain for outdoor night games? I shoot my daughters soccer team a lot and find even a 2.8 lens is extremely marginal for night games.

1
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Tony D
Tony D
July 28, 2021 3:32 am

Nikon could of kept the F mount, its disappointing that after all those years they’ve done the dirty on Nikon users. I’ve gone elsewhere now.

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Reply
SteveTQP
SteveTQP
Reply to  Tony D
July 30, 2021 11:36 am

Tony, I initially thought the same, until I realized that the FTZ adapter permitted use of newer F mount lenses on the Z mount bodies. As a landscape and product photographer with an emphasis on image sharpness and detail rendition, I am pleased to see that most if not all of the new Z (S) optics have tested sharper than their F mount counterparts. Thanks!

1
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David
David
Reply to  Tony D
July 30, 2021 12:54 pm

Agree with Tony. So much invested in F mount lenses and if you want to switch to mirrorless you have to use an adapter. I am not interested in mounting my 600mm f4 on an adapter.

0
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Pam H
Pam H
Reply to  Tony D
July 30, 2021 1:14 pm

Is the Z Mount Adapter not a viable option for F Mount lenses on the Nikon Mirrorless camera?

3
Reply
UrbexMark
UrbexMark
Reply to  Tony D
August 2, 2021 1:29 pm

They would have been completely DOA if they didn’t introduce a new mount. Totally noncompetitive.

Where did you go? Do they have an F mount?

1
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Rmuser
Rmuser
Reply to  Tony D
August 7, 2021 5:21 pm

Who did you switch to, Canon who also changed mounts? Maybe Sony, who again, changed mounts? Fuji, wait they did too.

Damn Nikon for keeping the same mount for 60 years; longer than anyone else.

4
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Stephen
Stephen
July 27, 2021 8:11 pm

Waiting on the announcement of the 24-105. I’m looking for a travel lens to maybe replace my 24-120 f4G as I slowly downsize overall quantity, weight and size of my travel gear. I suspect it will probably be an f4.

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Rainer
Rainer
Reply to  Stephen
July 29, 2021 12:04 am

Ja, da warte ich auch drauf. Aufgrund der Darstellung in der Nikon Roadmap könnte das durchaus ein 2,8-4 sein. Bin mal gespannt.

0
Reply
Michael
Michael
Reply to  Stephen
July 30, 2021 11:22 am

Yes, me too, having been a long time user of the F Mount 28-105 lens for travel, I am awaiting the announcement of this lens, which seems to be a long time in coming, I too expect it to be F4, but would be happy to pay a premium price for an F.2.8.

0
Reply
UrbexMark
UrbexMark
Reply to  Stephen
August 2, 2021 1:30 pm

Check out the 24-200; it’s really a great option for travel.

0
Reply
Vital
Vital
July 27, 2021 12:18 pm

For those who, like me, like to hike assiduously in the mountains, I expect a lot to know what this Z100-400s will be, with its “compactness” and with what opening (constant or not) ??

0
Reply
Vital
Vital
Reply to  Vital
July 27, 2021 12:29 pm

I specify that I use a lot and for a long time the AF-s 70-200 / f4 on the D8xx, then on the Z7 (with a relative happiness since the passage in Z) …
I can not help but think of the outputs of a very good 24-105 (f / 4.0?) Followed by a very honorable 100-400 (f / 4-5.6?)!
This could “help out” some photographers (landscape addicts) of my kind!

0
Reply
UrbexMark
UrbexMark
Reply to  Vital
August 2, 2021 1:34 pm

I expect it to be a little bigger than the Z 70-200, going by the roadmap silhouettes.

0
Reply
Vital
Vital
Reply to  UrbexMark
August 3, 2021 12:12 pm

Bigger, yes, but maybe not as heavy as the massive silhouette apparently suggests?
This is what makes me fantasize, to go between 100 and 400mm in my mountains … between 2800 and 3000m altitude ;-)

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Reply
Vital
Vital
Reply to  Vital
August 3, 2021 12:24 pm

I wondered if the Z 24-70s f / 2.8 + TC 1.4x or 2x might do the trick for HD photography on Z7, but … I can’t believe it.

www.cameralabs.com/nikon…-review/2/

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Reply
Vital
Vital
Reply to  Vital
August 3, 2021 12:28 pm

Oups! Z 70-200s, of course

0
Reply
Andy
Andy
Reply to  Vital
September 5, 2021 6:09 am

Just check other manufacturers’ 100-400 lenses. About the same can be expected from Nikon too. A little bit bigger and heavier than the 70-200.
No way it will be constant aperture unless it’s F5.6 all the way.

0
Reply
Sebastiano Rametta
Sebastiano Rametta
July 27, 2021 3:55 am

Fast Dx Zoom lenses and primes, and then a perfect combo with Z50 or ZFc

0
Reply
Steve Vansak
Steve Vansak
July 25, 2021 7:18 pm

I’d love to see a Z version of the 105mm 1.4 E Lens that I’m currently using via FTZ adapter. It works fine, but I can only imagine a native Z Mount version would be quicker when it comes to AF.

0
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HD10
HD10
Reply to  Steve Vansak
July 26, 2021 12:52 pm

Likewise. The one aspect that I would like to see improved in my 105mm f/1.4E is faster autofocus. Having less CA like the 85mm f/1.8 S would also be welcomed.

Yet if I am made to choose between a 105mm f/1.4 S and a 135mm f/1.8 S, I would choose the 135mm f/1.8 as this this would make a good match with the 85mm f/1.8S which I use a lot.

0
Reply
Jon
Jon
Reply to  Steve Vansak
September 21, 2021 12:37 pm

For me the 105E works great on my Z7 with the adapter. But sure quicker would be better. A great Z85/1.2 is a bigger hole

0
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HD10
HD10
July 25, 2021 1:33 pm

The Z-mount lenses I am waiting for:

• 70-200mm f/4 or 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
– should be a bit lighter and more compact than the F-mount versions
– should have better optics than the F-mount

• 135mm f/1.8
– make it as good or better than the 85mm f/1.8 S but at 135mm
– otherwise, my Zeiss 135mmm f2 will soldier on

• 19mm or wider tilt-shift lens
– the F-mount version is stellar and a favorite but if a Z-mount version could be made even better, then I will get this as well.

0
Reply
Marek
Marek
Reply to  HD10
July 26, 2021 4:36 am

Well, to be honest the 70-200 f/4 F mount is a superb lens. Extremely sharp with a very good and fast AF. There is not much you may want to have improved in it. It was sharper than the 70-200 f/2.8 not to mention the well controlled breathing. So while I understand the need for a Z-mount “version” of it I do not understand your comment about the “better optics”

1
Reply
HD10
HD10
Reply to  Marek
July 26, 2021 12:43 pm

I look at my 24-70mm f/2.8 S and compare it with the F-mount 24-70mm f/2.8E and f/2.8G … and have no problem seeing how the Z-mount can have better optics. My 24-70mm f/2.8 S is also better than my pair of 24-70mm f/4 S.

The same applies with the 70-200mm f/2.8 S vs the 70-200mm f/2.8E and f/2.8G. I would think these were so obvious that I do not understand why you do not understand my expectation of a better optics for a 70-200mm f/4 S.

My F-mount 70-200mm f/2.8 and f4 are both very sharp. If your 70-200mm f/2.8 is not as sharp as your 70-200mm f/4, you can get this fixed. The 70-200mm f/2.8G is slightly better than the 70-200mm f/4G. The 70-200mm f/2.8E is substantially even better than the 70-200mm f/4G. This is my experience. The comparison in this website shows the same:

photographylife.com/revie…m-f4g-vr/3

photographylife.com/revie…8e-fl-vr/4

So I think its perfectly reasonable to expect that a Z-mount 70-200mm f4 S can have better optics than its F-mount counterpart.

4
Reply
Kevin
Kevin
Reply to  HD10
July 26, 2021 2:33 pm

and didn’t Nasim judge the F-Mount 70-200mm F/4 as having “resolving power less than 36 MP” (article: Why Nikon Should Not Make DSLRs Over 36 MP) so I would certainly expect an S version to fix that problem for the Z7 ii sized sensors..

2
Reply

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