On the ephotozine website:
www.ephotozine.com/article/nikon-nikkor-z-26mm-f-2-8-lens-review-36437
With some interesting test images with the Z7.
Looks like a good quality lens.
Seems to have better close-up qualities than my Z 2.8 28mm SE.
But the 28mm has better flare control which I find important for my outdoor photos.
Plus I have the old but very good 3.5 55mm Micro-Nikkor for close-ups.
André
I would take Mr Rileys reviews with a huge pinch of salt.. I´ve lost all respect for his reviews over the years. 5 stars or so for everything etc.. well I don´t wanna bash the man too much, at least the lens is featured, but be warned. =)
Yeah the lens looks good and it´s on my long term radar. Should be sharper than 28/2.8 plastic fantastic, but the price is just nuts here in Europe. 619 Euros.. right..
-150 Euros and we are talkin. Maybe black friday to the rescue.. I´ve got time to wait, I got the 24-50 kit covering that 26mm pretty nicely, and 28 and more. It´s all about size and convenience.
I don´t mind the "harsher" bokeh at all.. sometimes more distracting is more interesting than just smooth.. I´m pretty sure I´m set not buying the 28, but might bite at the 26 if the price is right. Right now it´s just too much.
There are probably better reviews somewhere else.. more thorough and less focused on resolution etc..
I'd likely order one of these if I didn't already have the 24-50 plus the 28 and 40mm compacts. They're all delightfully small and light, and they perform well. But wow, the 26 takes the compactness to a new level, and I may break down and get one one day.
I just got 26mm. My main goal was to make Z fc as compact as possible and somehat comparable to Fuji X100v in size. It is still little bit bigger, but not much. Also, it can make my Z7 camera much smaller, altough I am not such a big fan of 26mm on FF. First impressions are positive, did not comapare to Fuji yet, but plan to do it shortly.
Things I do not like so far: slower AF as other Nikon Z lenses - not much, but difference is noticable, especially when camera is set to Wide and face/eye focusing in AF-C mode. For AF-S, no issue for me.
Another more annoying thing (that none of reviewers mentioned?) is, that if one is not careful with lens cap and you push it on a extended lens (central portion of lens extend when focusing on near objects), you get error on screen stating that shutter must be pressed to reset. I am sure I will get used to work around this, but it is annoying. I don't have any problem with firmness of lens cap, it sits snugly on front.
I took few test photos so far round garden and of my kids and photos seemed sharp and contrasty. I am hoping Zfc with this lens will replace X100V for family outings, vacation photography and such. I also have 28 2.8, but that lens is not that small, so size was my main motivation to get 26mm lens.
I noticed my version of DXO photolab 5.9 does not support this lens/camera combo. Hope they will add support, but my experience from the past is that this will be (is?) available in last version of DXO only.
Anyway, if anyone has any question reagrding this lens, please let me know and I will try to reply.
Photographylife released their review, and the results don't justify the price difference with the 28mm f/2.8. Too bad, as I was considering the 26mm because of its size.
I was considering it as well, but all I see is high price and bokeh a tad too nervous for my taste. Pity.
As of 04/11/2023 the 26mm lens is not supported on the most current version of DXO Photolab, v.6.0.
Ah, thank you for your reply! There is still hope then! :-)
As of today, 4/12, the 26mm f2.8 is supported by DXO. Just opened the email.
There's also a review at CameraLabs: www.cameralabs.com/nikon-z-26mm-f2-8-review/. I'd say their impression seems similar to Photographylife's: unless size is that important to you they don't seem convinced it's worth twice the 28 f/2.8.
In fairness I've read opinions from owners who have no regrets about buying it, and I've seen some decent shots taken with it. But overall I think I'm not feeling it myself.
I hope it is not a trend at Nikon to ask excessive prizes for new lenses, just because they are new. I cannot see any other reason.
To anybody wanting a small walkaround on Nikon Z I recommend the 28mm f/2.8, and use it above f4 where it performs respectably. Anyway, shooting wide open on a wide lens is a very special look, and can look ugly with bad Bokeh.
Or, buy an older Sony RX100 for that prize and get better results. Maybe even an iPhone might be preferable as a daily photographic companion than a Nikon full frame camera with this pancake lens.
Thank you for comment. I tried today in my version 5.9 and indeed I got lens profile. I must admit I am pleasently surprised, since in the past I had to purchase newer version of DXO to get support for new camera.