Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX PZ
18-42mm eq., Power Zoom f/3.5-5.6
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Z9 Z8 Z7 II Z6 II Zf Z7 Z6 Z5 Z fc Z50 Z30
Z System Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses Flash
Nikon Z 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR DX (18-42mm equivalent, 67mm filters, 7.2 oz./205g, 0.6'/7½"/0.19m close focus, 0.21× macro ratio, $357). bigger. I got mine at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new ultrawide. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
April 2024 Better Pictures Nikon Z Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses Nikon Flash All Reviews
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These are just snapshots; my real work is in my Gallery.
These are all shot hand-held as BASIC ★ JPGs; no stinking tripods, NORMAL or FINE JPGs or RAW files were used or needed.
Pacific Beach Sunset, San Diego, California, 7:31 P.M., Wednesday, 03 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 16.5 mm (24mm eq.) wide-open at f/4.2 handheld at 1/6 at Auto ISO 400 (LV 4.7), processed in Skylum Luminar Neo software to wake it up. bigger.
Geodetic Porsche, San Diego, California, 9:48 A.M., Saturday, 06 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 26.5 mm (40mm eq.) at f/6.3 at 1/160 at Auto ISO 64 , -0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 13.3), processed in Skylum Luminar Neo software to wake it up. bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 4 MB JPG file.
Forza Ferrari, San Diego, California, 10:08 A.M., Saturday, 06 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 23.5 mm (35mm eq.) at f/6.3 at 1/160 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 13.3), processed in Skylum Luminar Neo software to wake it up. bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2 MB JPG file.
Introduction top
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I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This is Nikon's first mirrorless APS-C (DX) ultrawide.
This 12-28mm lens is surprisingly sharp. It's just as sharp wide-open in the corners as it is stopped down, which is rare to see. I usually only see this in LEICA lenses, so it surprised me because I had to go back and check the apertures I was using, and yes, this lens is just as sharp wide-open in the corners as it is stopped-down regardless of aperture.
It's free from distortion, as well as inexpensive, ultralight and all plastic.
This is a Power Zoom (PZ), like the motorized zoom on a camcorder. While for still photos it's a bit less direct, for video it allows smoother zooms, as well as remote control.
Another advantage is that it's more than just an ultrawide; Nikon has quietly extended the zoom range to 28mm, which is the same as a 42mm perfect normal lens on full-frame. Bravo!
It works swell on full-frame cameras, which automatically crop themselves to DX. Don't let its giveaway price fool you. If you don't mind throwing away just over half your full-frame camera's pixels due to cropping, this lens takes the same pictures as the far more expensive full-frame ultrawides like the 14-24mm f/2.8, 14-30mm f/4, 17-28mm f/2.8, 20mm f/1.8 and 24mm f/1.8 — and this lens has a broader (2.33×) zoom range than any of the full-frame ultrawides!
I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
New intro top
First-ever APS-C DX ultrawide mirrorless zoom from Nikon.
First lens with genuinely silent autofocus. I almost can hear a slight tick when focus starts, and otherwise there's no sliding or humming like every other "silent" lens.
Power Zoom.
Good intro top
Ultra sharp. Don't let the plastic barrel fool you; this is an optically superb lens.
Small.
Just about weightless.
Image Stabilization rated 4½ stops improvement and actually provides three or more stops in real-world use.
Claims some weather sealing.
Bad intro top
Electronic power zoom has a slightly delayed in response to the zoom ring for still shooting. The zoom motor can't move the lens as fast as a mechanical zoom ring could so sometimes you have to wait for the lens to catch up if you go from one end of the zoom range to the other.
No AF/MF switch; you have to do this in menus.
No VR switch; you have to do this in menus.
Plastic mount.
Plastic exterior.
Soft plastic filter threads are easy to cross thread, typical of consumer lenses in 2024.
Production dumped to Thailand, not made domestically in Japan.
Missing intro top
No AF/MF switch; you have to do this in menus.
No VR switch; you have to do this in menus.
No hood included; the Nikon HB-112 hood is a $42 option. That's fine; hoods don't do much on zooms. I never use them.
No case included. So?
Nikon Z 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR DX. bigger.
Compatibility top
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I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This lens works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.
It does not so much as even mount on any other camera.
It works fine on full-frame (FX) cameras, but it does mean you'll be throwing away more than half of your pixels because FX cameras will automatically crop themselves from FX to DX. See also Crop Factor.
Ideally use this on a DX camera like the Z50, and if you want to use it on full-frame, go right ahead.
Specifications top
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I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Name
Nikon calls this the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28MM F/3.5-5.6 PZ VR:
NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for almost all their lenses since 1932.
Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras, only.
DX: Only covers smaller cropped sensors, otherwise uses only half the pixels of an FX camera.
PZ: Power Zoom; zooms with a tiny motor in the lens.
VR: Vibration Reduction.
It also has:
AF-P: Stepper (Pulse STM) autofocus motor: silent and ultra fast.
Aspherical: Specially curved glass elements for sharper pictures.
D: Couples distance information to the 3D Matrix Meter.
E: Electronic diaphragm for silent operation.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
G: Gelded; has no aperture ring.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
∅67: 67mm filter thread.
Nikon's Model Number: 20118.
Optics specifications top
Nikon Z 12-28mm Internal Optical Construction. ED and Aspherical elements. bigger.
12 elements in 11 groups.
1 ED element: magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced axial secondary chromatic aberration.
1 Aspherical element.
Internal focussing, nothing moved externally as focussed
Internal zoom, nothing moves externally as zoomed.
Nikon Super Integrated multiCoating (SIC).
Diaphragm specifications top
Nikon Z 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR DX. bigger.
7 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Stops down to f/16 ～ f/25.
Filters specifications top
Plastic 67mm filter thread.
Coverage specifications top
DX APS-C only.
Used on an FX body, the sensor will be cropped (most of the pixels are thrown away) automatically. It will look OK when shooting, but you'll notice the image sizes are much smaller than when shot with full-frame lenses on that same full-frame camera.
Focal Length specifications top
12-28mm.
When used on DX cameras, it sees the same angle of view as an 18-42mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View specifications top
99º ～ 53º diagonal.
Autofocus specifications top
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infinity Focus Stop specifications top
No.
You have to focus somehow to get precise focus at infinity, just like at every other distance.
Depth of Field Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infrared Focus Index specifications top
No.
Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane) specifications top
0.62 feet (7½ inches or 0.19 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio specifications top
1:4.8 (0.21 ×).
Image Stabilizer specifications top
Rated 4½ stops improvement.
Caps specifications top
LC-67B 67 mm snap-on front cap, included.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, included.
Hood specifications top
I'd forget the optional Nikon HB-112 hood at $42. Forty-two dollars? The lens is a steal but Nikon is hoping to make it up on hood sales.
Hint: Hoods rarely do anything useful on a zoom, especially an ultra-wide zoom. I simply use my hand to block the sun if it's a problem.
Size specifications top
2.83" ø maximum diameter × 2.5" extension from flange.
72 mm ø maximum diameter × 63.5 mm extension from flange.
Weight specifications top
7.2 oz. (205 g).
Announced specifications top
Tuesday, 18 April 2023.
Promised for specifications top
Early May, 2023.
Included specifications top
LC-67B 67 mm snap-on front cap, included.LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, included.
Nikon's Model Number specifications top
20118.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
April 2024
$356.95 at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
About $275 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
May 2023
$356.95 at Adorama, at B&H and at Crutchfield.
April 2023
$359.95 at Adorama and at B&H.
Nikon Z 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR DX. bigger.
Optional Accessories top
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Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Nikon HB-112 hood: $42.
Forty-two dollars? The lens is a steal but Nikon is hoping to make it up on hood sales.
Hint: Hoods rarely do anything useful on a zoom, especially an ultra-wide zoom. I simply use my hand to block the sun if it's a problem.
Performance top
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Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Breathing
Bokeh Distortion Ergonomics Falloff Filters
Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes
Lens Corrections Macro Min & Max Apertures
Mechanics Sharpness Spherochromatism
I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Overall performance top
This is a small, high performance ultrawide-to-normal lens.
It's plasticy and sharp.
The weirdest part is the motorized zoom rather than a real zoom ring.
Autofocus performance top
Autofocus is fine. Nikon's cameras are the limitation in the autofocus system, not the lenses.
Autofocus is genuinely silent, the first time I've not heard any humming or sliding as a lens focuses.
Manual Focus performance top
Manual focusing is entirely electronic; the manual focus ring isn't connected to anything other than a digital encoder.
There is no AF/MF switch; you have to set this in a menu.
Just grab this electronic manual focus ring for instant manual-focus override anytime the camera is awake.
Better than any other brand, even if you're in AF-C and grab the manual-focus ring, it just swaps to manual focus instantly and stays in manual focus. Other brands will try to fight you for focus if you're in continuous AF, while this lens just does what you tell it to do.
Bravo!
Focus Breathing performance top
Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.
There is no breathing at the wide end, and the image from this lens grows only slightly at the long end. I doubt anyone would ever notice any breathing from this lens.
Bokeh performance top
Bokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, isn't particularly important because nothing gets that far out of focus with a lens this short and this slow. When you can get things out of focus, bokeh is only fair, but as I just said, so what; you're probably never going to see it.
Here are photos from headshot distance wide-open. I'm focused on the DAVIS logo. Click either for the © camera-original file:
Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6357 Wireless Sensor Suite (use with WeatherLink console), 10:35 A.M., 09 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 12 mm (18mm eq.) at f/5.6 at 1/640 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.9), processed in Radiant Photo software to add detail to the shadows. bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2.0 MB JPG file.
Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6357 Wireless Sensor Suite (use with WeatherLink console), 10:35 A.M., 09 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 28 mm (42mm eq.) at f/5.6 at 1/640 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.9), processed in Radiant Photo software to add detail to the shadows. bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2.6 MB JPG file.
As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at 28mm and f/5.6 and get as close as possible.
Distortion performance top
The Nikon Z 12-28mm has no visible distortion — but that's because Z cameras won't let us turn off the in-camera correction.
If you shoot raw data rather than JPG images, whatever software you use to create visible images from raw data may or may not correct the distortion as is done in-camera as JPGs. You're on your own there; I don't bother with raw data.
For more critical scientific use, use these corrections in Photoshop's lens correction filter to JPG images. No, I have no idea why my Z8 doesn't correct the distortion completely. Boo, Nikon!
These aren't facts or specifications, they are the results of my research that requires hours of photography and calculations on the resulting data.
On DX at 30' (10m) |
Correction factor to use with images made with correction ON in Z8 (DX crop) |
12mm |
+1.00* |
14mm |
+0.90* |
16mm |
+0.80* |
18mm |
+0.60* |
20mm |
+0.50 |
24mm |
+0.50 |
28mm |
+0.50 |
© 2024 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
* Slight waviness remains after this correction.
Ergonomics performance top
|
|
Z 12-28mm DX VR PZ. bigger. |
Z 12-28mm DX VR PZ. bigger. |
The front ring is the zoom and the skinny rear one is focus.
Both are entirely electronic. Neither is connected to anything other than a digital encoder which tells the computers in the camera how to drive the motors in the lens for zoom and for focus.
There will be a slight delay between turning the ring and the lens responding. Also the zoom motor can't move as fast as we can turn the ring, so it can take the lens a moment to motor all the way from one end of the zoom range to the other.
No AF/MF switch; you have to do this in menus.
No VR switch; you have to do this in menus.
Falloff performance top
Falloff isn't a problem because it's corrected in the camera by default.
I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background; it will not look this bad in actual photos of real things:
Falloff on DX at infinity, correction at its default of NORMAL:
© 2024 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
If you shoot raw data rather than JPG images, whatever software you use to create visible images from raw data may or may not correct this as is done in-camera as JPGs. You're on your own there; I don't bother with raw data.
If you go out of your way to turn off the correction, this is what you get, which is only visible in actual photos at 12mm wide-open at f/3.5:
Falloff on DX at infinity, correction turned OFF:
© 2024 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Filters, use with performance top
There's no need for thin filters. I can use a fat 67mm filter with no vignetting at 12mm — but it's tight.
My standard rotating polarizer and grad filters work fine, but I can't stack them at the 12mm end.
I can stack filters as I zoom longer.
Avoid polarizers with ultrawide lenses; the sky's natural polarization can appear as a dark band across the sky.
Flare & Ghosts performance top
There's a typical amount of flare and ghosts.
See examples at Sunstars.
Lateral Color Fringes performance top
There are no color fringes as shot on Nikon cameras as JPG, which by default correct for any that may be there.
If you shoot raw data and then use non-manufacturer software to process that data into images then there is always the possibility that there might be some.
There are some minor purple outlines around trees against a bright gray sky. It's weird to see this today, but this isn't lateral color.
Lens Corrections performance top
The Z9, Z8, Z7 II, Z6 II, Zf, Z7, Z6, Z5, Z fc, Z50 and Z30 correct for any or all of distortion, diffraction and falloff (vignette control). Distortion control cannot be turned off, while diffraction and falloff (vignette control) correction can be changed.
The Z9, Z8, Z7 II, Z6 II, Zf, Z7, Z6, Z5, Z fc, Z50 and Z30 always correct for lateral color fringes (lateral chromatic aberration). This is part of Nikon's secret sauce and never appears in any menu.
If you shoot raw data rather than JPG images, whatever software you use to create visible images from raw data may or may not correct these as is done in-camera as JPGs. You're on your own there; I don't bother with raw data.
Distortion correction is always ON; it's part of the lens design to correct it electronically rather than optically. This gives the designers more freedom to make the lens smaller, sharper, less expensive and have this broad zoom range, something we could never do with film.
Macro Performance performance top
It gets very close, but things can look weird this close with any lens this wide.
You're better off using a longer dedicated macro lens so you can stand further back.
Good news is it's super sharp even wide - open:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, 10:22 A.M., 09 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 28 mm (42mm eq.) wide-open at f/5.6 at 1/500 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.6). bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2.6 MB JPG file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (4.51× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2.6 MB JPG file.
The texture you're seeing is on the watch face.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 9 × 13½" (23 × 34 cm) at this same magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 18 × 27" (46 × 768 cm) at this same magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 36 × 54" (0.9 × 1.4 meters) at this same magnification.
Maximum & Minimum Apertures performance top
Maximum Aperture |
Minimum Aperture |
|
| 12mm | f/3.5 |
f/16 |
| 14mm | f/4 |
f/18 |
| 16mm | f/4.2 |
f/20 |
| 18mm | f/4.5 |
f/20 |
| 20mm | f/4.8 |
f/22 |
| 24mm | f/5.3 |
f/25 |
| 28mm | f/5.6 |
f/25 |
Mechanical Quality performance top
Nikon Z 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR DX. bigger.
It's all plastic, including the mount.
The glass should be mostly glass and the screws and gold contacts seem like metal.
Finish
Black plastic.
Front Bumper
None.
Filter Threads
Plastic.
Hood Bayonet Mount
Plastic.
Gold ED Band
None.
Barrel Exteriors
Plastic.
Zoom Ring
Rubber-covered plastic.
Focus Ring
Hard plastic.
Slide Switches
None.
Identity
Printed around front of lens, also printed on top of barrel.
Internals
Seem like all plastic.
Dust Gasket at Mount
No.
Mount
Plastic.
Markings
Paint.
Serial Number
Nikon Z 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR DX. bigger.
Laser engraved in black-on-black on bottom of barrel.
Date Code
None found.
Noises When Shaken
Some rattling, as if there are parts floating around.
This is normal.
Made in
Made in Thailand.
Sharpness performance top
Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.
If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 or smaller at ISO 1,600 or above at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.
People worry waaaaay too much about lens sharpness. It's not 1968 anymore when lenses often weren't that sharp and there could be significant differences among them; ever since about 2010 all new lenses are all pretty much equally fantastic.
This 12-28mm lens is surprisingly sharp. It's just as sharp wide-open in the corners as it is stopped down, which is rare to see. I usually only see this in LEICA lenses, so it surprised me at first as I had to go back and check the apertures I was using. Like all APS-C lenses it starts getting softer at f/11 due to diffraction, but those are the laws of physics and not anything particular to this lens.
 |
 |
Nikon's MTF charts at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm.
Spherochromatism performance top
Spherochromatism, also called secondary spherical chromatic aberration or "color bokeh," is an advanced form of spherical and chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral chromatic aberration. It happens mostly in fast normal and tele lenses when spherical aberration at the ends of the color spectrum are corrected differently than in the middle of the spectrum. Spherochromatism can cause colored fringes on out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. Spherochromatism is common in fast lenses of moderate focal length when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down.
It has a little spherochromatism, but I doubt anyone will every see it as nothing much is ever out of focus with this lens.
Mondaine A132.30348.11SBB at close-focus distance, 10:23 A.M., 09 April 2024. Nikon Z8 in DX crop mode, Nikon Z 12-28mm VR DX at 28 mm (42mm eq.) wide-open at f/5.6 at 1/800 at Auto ISO 64, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 15.3). bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2.0 MB JPG file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (4.51× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original 19 MP © 2.0 MB JPG file.
The texture you're seeing is on the watch face.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 9 × 13½" (23 × 34 cm) at this same magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 18 × 27" (46 × 768 cm) at this same magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 36 × 54" (0.9 × 1.4 meters) at this same magnification.
Image Stabilization (VR) performance top
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS, IS or VR (Vibration Reduction))
"Percent Perfectly Sharp Shots" are the percentage of frames with 100% perfect tripod-equivalent sharpness I get when I'm shooting hand-held while free-standing with no support or bracing. Hand tremor is a random occurrence, so at marginal speeds some frames will be perfectly sharp while others will be in various stages of blur — all at the same shutter speed. This rates what percentage of shots are perfectly sharp, not how sharp are all the frames:
12mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots | 2s |
1s |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
| Stabilization ON | 0 |
17 |
75 |
89 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| Stabilization OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
33 |
83 |
100 |
100 |
I see a 3¾ stop real-world improvement.
28mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots | 1s |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
1/250 |
| Stabilization ON | 0 |
33 |
33 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| Stabilization OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
75 |
100 |
100 |
I see a 3 stop real-world improvement.
Sunstars performance top
With a 7-bladed rounded diaphragm, I get soft 14-point sunstars on brilliant points of light at some apertures.
Ignore the crazy rainbows and dots at small apertures; these are sensor artifacts caused by taking a picture directly of the sun and exposing for the dark underside of a huge palm tree, and using that same palm tree to hide the sky to accentuate the stars.
Click any to enlarge:
Click any to enlarge.
Compared top
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Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Versus the DSLR 10-20mm DX AFP
The 10-20mm DX AFP and FTZ/II combination works swell, but it's clumsy.
This lens renders that combination obsolete because this lens is much smaller and lighter.
Versus Canon
Canon's tiny RF-S 10-18mm IS STM came out seven months after this lens, and it is smaller, lighter and wider.
Most importantly, the RF-S 10-18mm IS STM has a normal mechanical zoom ring.
Recommendations top
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Get one! I've been waiting for this: an inexpensive, light, high performance ultrawide for DX Z.
I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap (exactly like an iPhone) so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.
The very best protective filter is the nearly indestructible Hoya multicoated HD3 67mm UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints.
For less money, the Nikon 67mm NC (No Color/Neutral Clear), Hoya 67mm NXT Plus UV and Hoya 67mm UV MC are all excellent filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
If I was working in nasty, dirty areas, I'd use an uncoated 67mm Tiffen UV filter instead. Uncoated filters are much easier to clean, but more prone to ghosting.
Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt.
All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 50 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s! The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt, and you'll be using it long after you've thrown this lens away in 50 years.
I got my Z 12-28mm VR DX at B&H. I'd also get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new ultrawide. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
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Ken.