drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

I’ve received several ads for the new Nikon f2.8 28mm prime in Z mount and full frame. The price is a tempting $296 and though it’s not available yet (preorders only through B&H or Adorama) I wondered if anyone has heard any advance word on it. The kit lens for my Z6 covers the focal length but not at f/2.8 and not prime. Also, it’s listed as an SE lens and I’m not sure of that designation.

Bill_de Loc: US

Visually the lense was designed to look good on the new Z fc body. That's what makes it a Special Edition. At that price there are some compromises, like the plastic mount. If you Google it, you'll find reviews to read while waiting for the release.

Nikon said they delayed the release because the preorders overwhelmed their expectations.

I ordered mine with the 'retro' body.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

SE simply means 'Special Edition' designed to look like an old school manual focus lens, except of course, it doesn't have an aperture ring nor an AF/M switch. The lens is mirrorless digital only. Personally, I shoot extensively with 24 / 35 / 50mm primes, but when I have a 24-70 zoom, I'm surprised how often my images report 28mm. I've considered a 28mm prime several times as a result.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Thanks Bill_de and CHG_CANON for the info on the SE label. I hadn’t realized that the lens was designed to look good on a Zfc.

But the Zfc is a crop frame camera. If it was aimed at that market, so making it FF seems excessive. I guess Nikon was looking to cover both markets. I’ve done well with Nikon DX cameras for more than 10 years (D5000 then D7100) so a plastic mounted lens is not a deal-killer for me. Under $300 is a good deal for a fast FF prime.

Any news on availability??

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Excellent decision, I have used the 28 when I was a UPI photographer in the 70's, I used the 28 and the 200 f4 as my kit when on assignment, hardly ever used the 50. I now own the Nikon 28 1.8 E and have found it like you, the ideal focal length in a prime.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
PS. Just in case you want the best 28 mm 1.8 lens on the market, here you go. Hope their is an adapter for your Canon.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/856064-USA/Nikon_2203_AF_S_NIKKOR_28mm_f_1_8G.html

jonyrot

I have often used 28mm as a "walk around" lens. here is the you tube link for Ricci Talks evlauation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4MGF2qO7DI

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Seems like it is a good lens from reviews and plastic mount will last for decades? Except for long lenses plastic makes no difference unless you are into totally abusing lenses and even then I would rather break the lens mount than the camera mount personally.

rangel28

As others have noted "SE" stands for Special Edition, as the lens is supposed to look like the Nikon lenses from the 1980s. They are backordered (I ordered it the first day and an expected to receive it Oct. 4) and in my opinion will work nicely on Nikon's Z DX and FX cameras. They are also coming out with a regular 28mm, as well as a smallish 40mm Z lens later in the year. A "first look" and sample photo are available on YouTube from Ricci (a good source for all things Nikon). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4MGF2qO7DI

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yes, this "Special Edition" lens was "retro" styled to match the appearance of the new Z-series camera (which is an APS-C/DX format camera).

However, the lens is FX capable, so can be used on any of the Z-series cameras. On the Zfc and Z50 DX cameras it will act as a "slightly wide normal" lens... roughly equivalent to 43mm on a full frame camera. Of course, of a full frame/FX camera it will be a moderate wide angle.

According to Nikon's original announcement, there also will be a "standard" (not SE) version of this lens coming in the near future. Instead of the retro appearance it will have the same styling as other Z-series lenses. But it will be optically and functionally the same as the SE version. Probably priced the same, too.

It appears Nikon has been focusing on getting the Zfc and the 28mm SE into stores, where they're presently being offered by pre-order. The other, standard version of the lens isn't even listed for pre-order in stores yet. So it's going to be a while longer until it's available. No clue how long that might be, because both the camera and the 28mm SE have been delayed a bit and that probably pushes back the release of everything else, too.

baron_silverton Loc: Los Angeles, CA

By all preliminary accounts it is a very good lens for its size, weight and price - it seems to be almost impossible to get your hands on as of yet. The SE and normal version to be released later are optically identical formulas - the SE is just made to look more retro for the ZFc.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Thanks to everyone for all the information and advice. And the YouTube link. I decided to preorder the lens from B&H. Although the non SE version would be more esthetically ap propriate with my Z6 the lenses are the same and the SE version will be available first. I use plenty of vintage glass, including AI, on my DSLR so matching the style is not that important. And in the back of my mind is maybe to sell off my D7100 and some DX lenses and buy the Zfc, so the lens would be a good approximation to a nifty fifty (a nifty 43) for that one as well.