The Nikon 28mm f/2.8 SE lens.

Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 Lens Review | Small, lightweight, affordable

If you're looking for a small, light and affordable prime lens for your Nikon mirrorless Z-Series camera, this 28mm is a versatile focal length to consider.

The full frame compatible Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens is one of the most affordable, small and lightweight autofocus lenses for Nikon Z mount available.

While 28mm is a desired focal length for street photographers, it can be used in many different genres. 

Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens
Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens

Compact, lightweight and surprisingly inexpensive. Ideal as an everyday walkaround for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras.

Attach it to a Nikon Z fc camera for instance (or any of Nikon’s APS-C bodies such as the Nikon Z 50 or Nikon Z 30), and you now have a 42mm equivalent focal length which is also great for street photography as well as environmental portraits.

Photographers with full-frame cameras, such as the Nikon Z 6II may want to lessen the bulk of their set-up and use this lens for travel or landscape photography as well. 

Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Review Specs

 
Pros
  • Small and lightweight.
  • Smooth manual focusing ring.
  • Beautiful aesthetics.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Good image quality.
  • Distortion and vignetting is minimal.
Cons
  • Plastic build, including mount.
  • Not weather sealed.
  • No lens hood included.
  • Focal Length – 28mm (Equivalent Focal Length on 35mm bodies: 42mm)
  • Maximum Aperture – f/2.8 /  Minimum Aperture f/16
  • Lens Format Coverage – Full-Frame
  • Minimum Focus Distance – 7.6″ / 19.2 cm
  • Maximum Magnification – 0.2x
  • Optical Design – 9 Elements in 8 Groups 
  • Diaphragm Blades – 7, Rounded
  • Focus Type – Autofocus
  • Image Stabilization – No
  • Filter Size – 52 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions (ø x L) – 2.8 x 1.7″ / 71.5 x 43 mm
  • Weight – 5.6 oz / 160 g

Build & Ergonomics

The Nikkor Z 28mm SE Lens next to a chocolate muffin.

The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens is affectionately known among Nikon Z camera owners as a muffin lens.

This wide-angle prime lens (shown here in its special edition SE version with silver ring (also available in a modern look for less money) is a full frame lens but really hits its stride on Nikon DX cameras. 

The plastic lens mount may be a turn-off for some, but this is why this lens is so small and lightweight. So much so that there is no need for image stabilization within this lens.

The Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 is just fun to use, whether mounted on my full-frame camera or my Nikon Z fc.

There are no electronic control ring or lens function buttons like on the S line of Nikon Nikkor Z lenses, but this simplicity is part of the charm.

The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE lens mounted on a Nikon Z fc camera.

Focus Performance

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/640 / f/5.6 ISO 200

I’m not a street photographer by any means, but I do know that quick autofocus is at times needed.

Of all of the Z-mount Nikon lenses that I own, this one may be the slowest, but it is still a fast-focusing lens. 

Manual focus is very smooth and focus peaking on mirrorless cameras makes this style easier than ever.

At f/2.8 light gathering, it’s not a fast prime compared to Nikon’s f/1.8 or f/1.2 lines, but it is respectable for low-light photography.

Image Quality

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/3200 / f/2.8 ISO 100

The out-of-focus areas from this lens are pleasing although you do need to be close to the minimum focusing distance for maximum bokeh.

It’s a wide-angle lens, so this is not its main strength anyway.

I find the sharpness to be excellent and the in-camera correction negates the minimal distortion that exists on this new lens.

I did not see any chromatic aberration from images from my full frame bodies like the Nikon Z9 nor the crop sensor Nikon Z fc.

Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens Sample Images

Here are some sample images taken with the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens, using a Nikon Z fc and Nikon Z 9.

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/1000 / f/5.6 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/125 / f/4 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/640 / f/4.5 ISO 200

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/2500 / f/2.8 ISO 100

Nikon Z fc + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/160 / f/4 ISO 400

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 28mm f/2.8 | 1/160 / f/5.6 ISO 800

Alternatives

The only direct alternative for the Z lens mount in this focal length would be the Nikon 28mm f/1.4 E lens for f mount.

While that lens is outstanding and perfect for full-frame cameras and professional use, it will be substantially more in cost and weight and have to be mounted with the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter.

The Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 lens is a pancake lens for Z mount with a somewhat wider focal length.

A few third-party wide-angle lenses with autofocus such as the Viltrox Mirrorless Z 23mm f/1.4 are available if you need a faster aperture.

Value for Money

At around $300, I consider the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE lens an excellent value.

If the retro-looking silver lens ring is not your vibe, you can save approximately $30 by opting for the non-special edition version of this lens.

The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 lens is the exact same lens in a more modern design.

The lens is an even better bargain when purchased as the kit lens along with the Nikon Z fc camera.

The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens mounted on a silver Nikon Z fc.

Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens Review | Conclusion

I think the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens is a great lens for my casual photography and I will be keeping it around for that reason.

I have found that I really enjoy the 42mm field of view that this lens provides on a crop sensor camera.

If I feel like I want to lighten the load of my full-frame camera body set-up, this lens is there for me. I also love the retro look of this special edition version.

It’s a refreshingly fun way to lighten up your Nikon Z mirrorless camera, especially if you’re accustomed to shooting with something like the Nikon Z 70-200mm like I am!

Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens
Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens

Compact, lightweight and surprisingly inexpensive. Ideal as an everyday walkaround for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras.

Features7
Build Quality8
Ergonomics and Handling10
Autofocus9
Image Quality8
Value10

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