Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8 Wide-Angle Zoom Lens Introduced

Lens News

by Jeff LochSeptember 21^st, 2022

Nikon has just announced a new wide-angle zoom lens for its full-frame Nikon Z mirrorless cameras: the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8. This lightweight and compact lens will be an excellent versatile addition to your kit that can stay on your camera body all day long. It’ll be available next month for $1.199.

Nikon continues to release and expand its NIKKOR Z lens lineup at a very constant pace! Indeed, this year, the company has already released the Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm F/6.3 VR S, and they still plan to introduce 50+ lenses by the end of 2025.

In the “holy trinity” of lenses, Nikon already has the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm F/2.8 VR S, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S, and the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm F/2.8 S. However, the 14-24mm F/2.8 S wide-angle zoom lens is a high-end option that retails for $2.500.

If spending that much money on a wide-angle zoom lens doesn’t make sense to you, and you’re ready to make some compromises, Nikon has just introduced the more affordable NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8 lens.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8 features

As its name suggests, the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8 is not part of the Nikon NIKKOR S “premium” lineup of lenses. But, it does not mean that this compact and lightweight lens – only 450g/15.9oz – does not offer an excellent price/feature ratio.

Indeed, this wide-angle zoom lens has a fixed F/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range. In addition, there is a high-speed stepping motor with minimal mechanical noise, ideal when shooting in video mode. Also, the 17-28mm F/2.8 is an IF NIKKOR lens, which means it does not change in size during AF operation.

The entire lens is sealed, which means it is dust/drip resistant. However, always be careful as it is not IP rated under all situations and conditions. The front element features an antifouling coating that resists dirt, fingerprints, and smudges.

Optical design

The optical design of the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8 consists of 13 elements in 11 groups. In addition, there are three aspherical elements, two extra-low dispersion (ED), and one Super ED element to minimize ghosting, improve contrast, and reduce chromatic lens aberration.

The 9-blade aperture should provide a pleasing bokeh. Lastly, the minimum focusing distance is 19cm/7.6ft, and the front filter diameter is 67mm.

Price and availability

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm F/2.8 should be available at the end of October for $1,199.95.

For more information, please visit Nikon’s website here.

What do you think about this new Nikon NIKKOR Z wide-angle zoom lens? Do you often shoot with wide-angle lenses? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!