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Nikkor 40mm f2

phinix
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikkor 40mm f2

I have a general question about this lens - how does it perform?
I am a Sony user and I'm about to sell my gear and get Zf with this 40mm SE lens for a start.
I love the results I'm getting from Sony 40mm f2.5 G lens - hoping to achieve same results from Nikon kit.
I terms of image quality and performance, would these two lens be on similar level?
How do you guys "grade" these Nikon lens? I know SE is new lens, but whoever already has it, or has older 40/2 version.

Nov 20, 2023 at 10:17 AM

Jman13
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikkor 40mm f2

It's fine. It's a little soft wide open (though at moderate distances there is certainly a reasonable a mount of detail. Quite sharp stopped down. Some imperfect bokeh, some CA...typical for an inexpensive prime lens. Overall, though I quite like it for the price. It isn't the same level as the Sony, as that's a more expensive lens with likely a more elaborate optical formula for increased image quality. It is also a lightweight all plastic lens.. which is expected for a lens that's about 1/2 the price of the Sony.

Note that the regular version and the SE version are identical optically and mechanically - it's just the aesthetics of the outer shell that differ.

A couple from mine:

Nov 20, 2023 at 10:45 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikkor 40mm f2

image thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1722095

Nov 20, 2023 at 10:55 AM

KR Photo
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikkor 40mm f2

I suspect the Sony lens is better, but it should be given the price differential. One option you have is to keep it and get an adapter to use it on the Nikon Zf. It gives you the advantage of an aperture ring, which would be nice on a retro-styled body.

Having said that, I personally love the Nikon 40mm f/2. Small and light, and is generally acknowledged to outperform the f/mount G primes.

Here's a Flickr album to check out. I believe the photographer, Colin, participates in these forums. He puts the lens through its paces here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deltasigma/albums/72157720045197860

Nov 20, 2023 at 11:04 AM

mfoto
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikkor 40mm f2

I did a review of the Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 SE here if you are interested:

Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 SE Review - 5050 Travelog

Nov 20, 2023 at 11:08 AM

gear-nut
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikkor 40mm f2

It performs admirably even wide open. It’s my favorite nighttime street lens. Not at the same level as 35 or 50 S lenses, but still very good.

Nov 20, 2023 at 11:10 AM

phinix
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikkor 40mm f2

Jman13 wrote:
It's fine. It's a little soft wide open (though at moderate distances there is certainly a reasonable a mount of detail. Quite sharp stopped down. Some imperfect bokeh, some CA...typical for an inexpensive prime lens. Overall, though I quite like it for the price. It isn't the same level as the Sony, as that's a more expensive lens with likely a more elaborate optical formula for increased image quality. It is also a lightweight all plastic lens.. which is expected for a lens that's about 1/2 the price of the Sony.

Note that the regular version and the SE version...Show more →

Thank you for your response. I've read all I could about its build quality and I'm not expecting miracles of course, but from your photos I can tell that these are pretty. This 40/2 lens would be my main AF lens on Zf, well, I may also get 26mm one and that would be it. Rest would all Voigtlander lens

Edited on Nov 23, 2023 at 05:50 AM · View previous versions

Nov 20, 2023 at 11:46 AM

Orsonneke
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikkor 40mm f2

The Nikon 40/2 gives a nice old school classic rendering which I like a lot!

Nov 20, 2023 at 02:51 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikkor 40mm f2

Wide open looks good for infants. Pleasantly soft and sharpens nicely stopped down.Never as good as the 50 f1.8s but post does nicely.

Some numbers here.
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z-40mm-f-2/3

Nov 20, 2023 at 04:27 PM

tntcorp1
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikkor 40mm f2

why on earth did nikon go with a plastic lens mount on a glass with adequately nice optical quality? i would trade the weight saving for durability.

Nov 20, 2023 at 04:30 PM

phinix
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikkor 40mm f2

Thank you all for your responses. Sounds like this lens is a really good option for Zf.

Nov 20, 2023 at 07:21 PM

ggweci
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikkor 40mm f2

RoamingScott wrote:
image thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1722095

The lens photo threads are always great places to see what a lens offers on the real world (vs test chart reviews).

Here’s another review offering similar, with some added commentary on usage and build:

https://alikgriffin.com/nikon-z-40mm-f2-review-and-sample-photos/

Nov 20, 2023 at 09:05 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikkor 40mm f2

tntcorp1 wrote:
why on earth did nikon go with a plastic lens mount on a glass with adequately nice optical quality? i would trade the weight saving for durability.

i have not seen any durability issues with plastic lens mounts.

This from Roger Cicala at lensrentals.com shows very little difference between plastic and metal.
https://petapixel.com/2014/01/03/metal-mounts-really-better-plastic-lens-rentals-investigates/

This is old and there are very few later so it would appear there is still little difference

Nov 21, 2023 at 01:20 PM

tntcorp1
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikkor 40mm f2

hmm.. good to know the plastic mount lens requires less maintenance when the mount needs replacing.

r/

Nov 21, 2023 at 02:23 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Nikkor 40mm f2

tntcorp1 wrote:
hmm.. good to know the plastic mount lens requires less maintenance when the mount needs replacing.

r/

Have you ever actually had a problem with a plastic lens mount on a lens like this? I'd agree for a lot of lenses, including longer zooms that may face torque and such. On a lens like this where it weighs next to nothing and is an inch long and nearly impossible to have any leverage on the barrel while attached, it should be a non-issue. I'd think a mount failure would be an exceptionally rare occurrence.

Nov 21, 2023 at 03:23 PM

tntcorp1
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Nikkor 40mm f2

Jman13 wrote:
Have you ever actually had a problem with a plastic lens mount on a lens like this? I'd agree for a lot of lenses, including longer zooms that may face torque and such. On a lens like this where it weighs next to nothing and is an inch long and nearly impossible to have any leverage on the barrel while attached, it should be a non-issue. I'd think a mount failure would be an exceptionally rare occurrence.

no, never mount failure but excessive wear which created intermittent loss of af and lens controls.

Nov 21, 2023 at 03:47 PM

Joseph.
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Nikkor 40mm f2

I used to have a Z6II with 28 2.8, 40 f2 and 35 1.8. The 40 was good, the 28 was OK, but the 35 1.8 was fantastic. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up longer and get the 35 1.8 instead. It's a much better lens and they are close in size.

Nov 21, 2023 at 04:10 PM

phinix
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Nikkor 40mm f2

Joseph. wrote:
I used to have a Z6II with 28 2.8, 40 f2 and 35 1.8. The 40 was good, the 28 was OK, but the 35 1.8 was fantastic. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up longer and get the 35 1.8 instead. It's a much better lens and they are close in size.

Thanks, I've checked that lens - Nikon Z 35mm f1.8 S?
Thing is this one is 2x heavier and 2x longer than 40/2. But yes, looking at photo samples looks like 35/1.8 gives sometimes better photos.
I like everything about 40/2 Se so far what I have read or seen, but coming from Sony 40/2.5 I'm a bit concerned about that softness wide open on 40/2.

EDIT: Sorry, or maybe you meant G lens? That one looks small and similar size to 40/2.

Nov 23, 2023 at 05:54 AM


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