Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Lens Review
The product specs say 28mm prime, but the name says 17-28mm zoom. This listing is fundamentally broken, and you should look elsewhere.
Overview
This lens is a bit of a head-scratcher. Nikon calls it a 17-28mm f/2.8, but the specs you're actually looking at are for a 28mm prime. That's a massive red flag right off the bat. If you're shopping for a wide-angle zoom, this isn't it. What you're getting is a decent, sharp prime lens that's weirdly mislabeled in this data. The one thing to know? Double-check the actual focal length before you buy, because this listing is wrong.
Performance
For a 28mm prime, the optical performance is surprisingly solid, landing in the 81st percentile. It's sharp, and the internal focus design is nice. But the autofocus is mediocre at the 47th percentile, and the lack of any stabilization hurts. It's fine for static shots, but don't expect it to keep up with fast action.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sharp optics (81st percentile) 95th
- Lightweight and compact for a full-frame lens 82th
- Internal zoom and focus keeps the barrel from extending 77th
- Decent close-focus capability for a wide prime 75th
Cons
- This product listing is fundamentally wrong (it's a prime, not a zoom)
- No image stabilization
- Autofocus is just okay, not great
- Not weather-sealed
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 190 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.26 |
Value & Pricing
At a supposed $1097? No way. For that price, you could get a genuine Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom or a fantastic prime like the 35mm f/1.8 S. If this were actually a $500-600 28mm prime, it might be a consideration. At this price and with this incorrect listing, it's an easy pass.
vs Competition
If you want a sharp, affordable wide-angle prime for Nikon Z, look at the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. It's faster, cheaper, and the AF is comparable. If you need the zoom range the product name falsely promises, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 for Z-mount is the actual lens you're thinking of, and it's excellent. This Nikon (or more accurately, this incorrectly listed 28mm prime) doesn't make sense against either of them.
| Spec | Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Lens | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17-28mm | 55mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 451 | 281 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 422 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
Do not buy this based on this listing. The information is contradictory and wrong. If you somehow found a real Nikon 17-28mm f/2.8, it's a great lens. But this data describes a 28mm prime, and for over a thousand dollars, it's a terrible deal. Look at Tamron for the zoom or Viltrox for a prime, and steer clear of this confusing mess.