Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Power Zoom Lens in Development – Tailored to Filmmakers?

Lens News

by Omri Keren LapidotYesterday

Nikon announced the development of their first hybrid full-frame power zoom lens – the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ. Few details are available at the moment, but the general details point in an interesting direction for the Japanese manufacturer. The lens will feature a constant f/4 aperture (marked by f rather than T), a very useful zoom range, and three control rings for focus, zoom, and function. The design is not final yet so take everything with a grain of salt.

A relatively late bloomer, it seems Nikon is determined to close any cine-hybrid gap they had with competitors. Although launching the first video-capable DSLR, the Nikon D90, the company then took a rather conservative approach, prioritizing stills over video at every major decision milestone.

The change came slowly, with notable milestones such as the announcement of the 4K capable D850 and the launch of the mirrorless Z system. Still, the game-changer was the impressive Z 9 flagship, followed by its more earthly sibling, the Nikon Z 8. After proving their intention with this duo, the company acquired cine camera manufacturer RED, fortifying their newfound position as a hybrid contester.

Cameras are just one piece of the puzzle

As any seasoned filmmaker knows, a camera is only as good as the lens in front of it (and as the filmmaker using it, of course). While Nikon has granted us a relative wealth of high-end optics, none are tailor-made for filmmaking. This announcement changes that.

The future NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Zoom is made to cater to various filmmaking needs. The lens’ all-around design will make it perfect for ENG, run-and-gun documentaries, events, small and medium local TV and commercial studios, and more. While we have no official information yet, the new NIKKOR bears a stark resemblance to the decade-old Sony FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS Full-Frame Power Zoom lens.

The segment is getting crowded

Cine-hybrid lenses are all the rage these days. Canon has just announced a trio of hybrid lenses for their RF mount, following an earlier 24-105mm f/2.8 L lens. Sony boasts a relatively wide power zoom (PZ) line, and FUJIFILM also offers an 18-120mm f/4 power zoom lens. Nikon’s future entrance into this fray may be crucial to the company’s success in the cine-hybrid segment.

Price and availability

No details regarding price and availability have been published. My bet revolves around $2-3.5K and is based on the pricing of the Sony 28-135 f/4 G OSS PZ ($2,500) and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z ($2,999).

Will this future lens make you consider the Nikon Z system as a serious option for filmmaking? Let us know in the comments.