New NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f4-6.3 | The Perfect Street Lens?

By now you probably know that the Nikon Z5 was announced. A weather-sealed, dual SD card slot, full-frame 24MP camera with IBIS for $1400. Damn.

But what you probably didn’t know, was buried in that quiet little announcement that most of us overlooked was this cool little potential game-changer. Not the camera, the camera is cool but I already have a Z6.

What I’m talking about is a new full-frame Z 25-50mm f4-f6.3.

Yes, a variable aperture zoom lens. I know. We hate variable aperture lenses. Nor are we really fans of zoom lenses.

Probably like you, I too was reading through the press release and was simply unimpressed. Just another boring kit lens for daddy to buy his daughter for her trip to Europe.

Until I saw this picture!

Just look at that lens. Nikon made what looks like the world’s smallest full-frame zoom lens.

So this got me thinking, when I’m shooting street photography in the day, I pretty much always shoot at around f5.6 or f8. I’m typically somewhere between 35-50mm usually, (I go with the longer lenses at night) . . . would this be the perfect walk-around street lens?

Here is what Nikon has to say about the lens.

This is kind of exciting.

Side note: I like how they still write Z (space) 5 and Z (space) 6 in all their press information. They’re gonna keep fighting us on that one. One day they will give in.

Here are the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f4-6.3 Specs

Focal Length 24-to-50mm
Maximum Aperture f/4 to 6.3
Minimum Aperture f/22 to 36
Angle of View 84° to 47°
Maximum Magnification 0.17x
Minimum Focus Distance 1.15′ / 35 cm
Optical Design 11 Elements in 10 Groups
Aperture Blades 7, Rounded
Focus Type Autofocus
Filter Size 52mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L) 2.89 x 2.01″ / 73.5 x 51 mm
Weight 6.88 oz / 195 g

For the first time, I’m actually kind of interested in a variable aperture zoom lens. What is going on in the camera world? Am I just drinking the Nikon Kool-aid without realizing it while descending into brand fanboyism? Or does this seem reasonable? It sounds crazy, an actual cool variable aperture zoom lens?

Nothing makes sense anymore.

Not only did Nikon release a potential full-frame X-T4 killer, but now they got a lens to adds insult to injury. This is the kind of stuff Fujifilm is supposed to be doing, not Nikon. Nikon is supposed to be making bulky old man cameras, with ugly badges and gold rings for fanny pack-wearing bird photographers. What is going on right now in the camera world?

Is Nikon actually becoming a cool brand? They have the coolest looking cameras now too.

Now I’m just waiting for all that crazy Wrnch AI tech makes its way into their cameras and for some of those sweet, sweet pancake lenses.

This year has been exciting, to say the least. 

Nikon Z5 + 24-50mm – B&H

A Few Thoughts Oh The Z5

What makes the Z5 special?

I don’t know if it will be yet. But it’s looking like a solid contender, some very aggressive specs at a very aggressive price.

With a few flaws of course.

No BSI sensor, which isn’t that big of a deal for a full-frame camera, a 4.5 fps continuous burst mode – at least 5fps would have been nice, a 1.7x crop with 4k video – which is .1 more than Canon APS-C size, and no 10-bit out via HDMI, 8-bit only. 

Everything else with the camera is solid. Weather sealing, dual card slot, nice EVF, and the 3.2″ screen although only 1m dot.

So basically all those people I see complaining all the time in the forums and comment sections, “we want a camera for photography, we don’t want to have to pay extra for all those crazy video features.” Well, my friends, this camera is for you.

Realistically it probably needs to be a touch cheaper to compete with the Sony A7III and Nikon Z6 rebate prices. A few weeks ago you could have got a Nikon Z6 for $1600.

I imagine Nikon will do what they always do, and in six months to a year this camera will be around $1200 or even $1000 with deals.