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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Nikon Z 40mm f/2 Review

Nikon Z 40mm f/2 Review

By Spencer Cox 71 Comments
Last Updated On November 29, 2022

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Table of Contents

  • Specifications and Build Quality
  • Optical Features
  • Sharpness Comparisons
  • Verdict
  • More Sample Images
  • Reader Comments
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71 Comments
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James W
James W
March 5, 2025 6:25 am

Been having a good look at this lens; Just wished to share my realization that this lens is probably close enough in FL to any of the 38mm f/2.8 lens that were common for a while on a lot of early 1980’s film compacts, or to the FOV equivalent of a great many of mid-2000’s digital compacts at the short end of their zoom range, also usually 38mm, or to the supposedly most “natural” FL for FF at 43mm, in the current Z lineup.

May well get one for nostalgia’s sake, or when the kid gets old enough to be interested in photography, someday. It’s 200g lighter than the next closest lens, the 35mm f/1.8S, which also happened to be the smallest and lightest S-line lens.

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Alan Wilder
Alan Wilder
October 25, 2024 1:42 am

Thanks for the detailed review. Your sharpness plot demonstrating curvature of field made me double check AF fine tuning which came out to -1. I confirmed it was correct using both USAF resolution charts and the LensAlign Mk II tool. Checking resolution at the center, mid-zone and frame edge at f/4 when focusing on the central target, showed only a slight drop in the mid-zone sharpness at a repro ratio of 1:51 (81″ from the lens front) and should also produce very sharp images for longer landscape distances. Setting the focus point directly on the mid-zone target did help a little but the improvement was more academic as it pertains to resolution testing rather practical shooting even if heavily cropped. What’s more important for readers is that correct AF fine tuning is key to minimizing curvature of field effects. If AF fine tuning is off by as much as 1 or 2 increments, it can make a difference in sharpness when evaluating off axis sharpness with this lens.

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Marios
Marios
September 6, 2024 5:34 pm

It would be great to see how the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 performs compared to the Nikon Z 40mm f/2

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Laurence Taylor
Laurence Taylor
Reply to  Marios
October 21, 2024 12:37 pm

If you can get hold of one!!! I was on a waiting list with Grays. Got an email to say back in stock, sold out before I could order (within hours)!

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Dan
Dan
February 10, 2024 3:01 pm

Hi Spencer
Thanks for the great review.
How did you find the field curvature, and reduced consistent sharpness for landscape shooting in practical terms? Is it quite noticeable or barely at typical 5m-infinity focus and f8-11? Of all the compromises that’s my main concern. Love the small size and weight and low cost.
Thanks
Don

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Alan Wilder
Alan Wilder
Reply to  Dan
October 25, 2024 1:53 am

My experience is for a 5m-infinity shooting distance and aperture of f/8-11, curvature of field won’t be an issue. I found the amount of mid-zone curvature of field to be relatively small and certainly with that small an aperture, DOF will eliminate any trace of it.

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Scott
Scott
December 21, 2023 11:47 am

Can anyone tell me how this would do with capturing fast moving sports subjects such as mountain bikers on trail? Thanks!

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Ken George
Ken George
October 2, 2023 9:34 am

I have had the 40mm since it was released. I use it with my Z6ii for street photography. I love the weight. If stays under my windbreaker when I’m not shooting. It’s super for nighttime photography, walking around after dinner. The zoom attracts too much attention. Good comparison here. Thanks!

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Francisco
Francisco
August 2, 2023 5:49 am

Hi, first of all, thank you very much for the quality of your reviews.
I am posting this comment because I just bought a Z50 with the 16-50 zoom and I’m wondering what prime between 35 and 50mm should I buy next.
If I can summarize, (having in mind that my statment is a litle bit simplistic), we should avoid this lens when we want to shoot at small apertures and need sharpness all across the frame and we shouldn’t expect it to produce a pleasant bokeh when we begin to close the diafragm – even when the subject is close. 300 US, no miracles. Other than that, sharpness and colors are more than decent for me. Considering the price and size, that’s a very good purchase. However, does it make sense to buy such a lens when we have such a nice zoom like the 16-50 ? Ok, f/3.5 is not f/2, but even so…
Thank you!

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Bill
Bill
Reply to  Francisco
December 30, 2023 7:29 pm

Francisco, I suggest the new Nikkor Z DX 24mm f/1.7 lens which will be the equivalent of 36mm in full frame terms. I have one for my Nikon Z30 and love it!

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Sean
Sean
January 27, 2023 3:42 am

I just ordered a “like new” copy of this lens from mpb for $218 after a referral code discount. There are a lot available which seems a bit strange considering it is not a bundled kit lens and the positive opinions of it. The Panasonic 20mm 1.7 was one of my favorite m43 lenses, so I am looking forward to it.

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HMS
HMS
December 1, 2022 2:42 am

Thanks for this thorough review. I’ve had the 28mm lens for a while and am enjoying it on both the Z6 and Z50. Just ordered the 40mm and its due to arrive in a couple of days; looking forward to it. I’ve never had any problems with plastic lens mounts and doubt that I’ll ever have any with these small lenses. You’d have to be exceedingly rough on your gear to break the lens at the mount. I’m typically not a prime lens guy but consider these lenses to my cheap, cheerful and light lenses for walking around with.. :-)

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Gukin
Gukin
November 28, 2022 5:57 pm

2020’s version of beloved nifty fifty.

1
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Spencer Cox
Spencer Cox
Author
Reply to  Gukin
November 28, 2022 7:21 pm

It serves a very similar purpose! And it’s lighter and sharper than a lot of older 50mm “nifty fifty” lenses.

2
Reply

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