Nikon’s 2024 acquisition of video camera manufacturer RED Digital Cinema began to bear fruit this week with the launch of RED’s first cameras featuring the Nikon Z mount: the V-Raptor [X] Z Mount and the Komodo [X] Z Mount. Nikon further strengthened its commitment to expanding its filmmaking presence with the simultaneous launch of the Z 28-135mm f/4 Power Zoom (PZ) lens. It’s the first video-oriented lens for full-frame Z-mount cameras and one that will have a far broader appeal than RED’s new cameras, being just at home, perhaps more so, on a Z Mount mirrorless camera like a Z6 III, Z8, or Z9.
The lens features the usual array of lens rings: zoom, assignable control ring, and focus. The latter is designed to pair with follow focus gears using a 0.8 pitch. Focus throw and direction can be adjusted using the camera menu, and the Power Zoom focus speed can be set to one of 11 different settings. The lens comes with a rectangular lens hood featuring a small window allowing for easy adjustment of variable ND filters.
The power zoom function of this lens can be combined with Nikon’s excellent Hi-Res Zoom function during 4k video recording. This clever feature takes the 8K width of the Z8/Z9 cameras and slowly crops in to the central 4K portion, mimicking a zoom lens with no loss in optical quality. The new 28-135mm PZ lens can work in tandem with this “digital zoom crop”, effectively turning the lens into a 28-270mm lens that is perfectly parfocal between 135mm and 270mm. That’s a neat trick.
These features add up to an impressive-looking package for event and wedding filmmakers, corporate shooters, documentary crews, and other solo shooters who need to move fast and value the framing flexibility offered by a zoom. The first shipments of this lens will be available in April 2025 for $2599.95.
Of course, there is no reason this new 28-135mm lens can’t be used for still photography. That said, the physical specifications don’t compare favourably to those of the excellent Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens. The new video-centric lens weighs 2.5 lb (1120 g), while the workhorse 24-120mm weighs just 1.4 lb (630 g). Not to mention the $1500 price difference. I don’t expect to see still shooters choosing this lens over the 24-120mm unless a significant proportion of their interests or business revolves around shooting video.
Something I have seen suggested, primarily by internet trolls, it has to be said, is that this new Nikon lens is a re-housed version of Sony’s 10-year-old 28-135mm f/4 PZ G lens. As far as I can tell, this is untrue. When a brand launches a 70-200mm lens, there are no cries it is a re-housed version of another brand’s existing 70-200mm. Just because a zoom range is the same doesn’t immediately mean it is the same lens in a different housing.
Nikon has licensed lens designs from Tamron, such as the Z 28-70mm f/2.8. However, this was done to keep lens development costs down, allowing them to launch several lenses at a price point otherwise impossible. There’s no good reason for Nikon to license an old design for an expensive pro-grade lens from one of its direct competitors. Nikon’s lens engineers are perfectly capable of designing this lens themselves. Reminder: Just because someone shouts something on YouTube or Instagram doesn’t make it true.
Table of Contents
Pre-Order Links
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ – B&H Photo / Adorama / WEX (UK)
Key Features and Specifications
- Works with 0.8 MOD pitch follow focus gears.
- Compatible with the Hi-Res Zoom feature in 4K shooting to extend focal length to 270mm with compatible cameras (Z8/Z9).
- MFD of 13.3 in (0.34 m) at 28mm and 22.4 in (0.57 m) at 135mm.
- Zooming speed can be selected from 11 speeds.
- Zooming can be controlled by the lens zoom rocker, lens zoom ring, assignable camera buttons, Snapbridge mobile app, Nikon’s NX tethering app, NX Field app, and the Nikon MC-N10 remote handle.
- Stepping motor (STM) ensures fast and accurate autofocusing.
- Comes with a rectangular HB-116 lens hood.
- Customizable L-Fn buttons are located on the top and side of the lens.
- Zoom ring angle and direction of rotation can be customized to suit individual preferences.
- Meso Amorphous Coat, Nikon’s best anti-reflection coating, significantly reduces ghosts and flares.
- Fluorine coat applied to the front lens element effectively repels dust, water droplets, grease, and dirt.
- Weather and dust sealed.
- Price – $2599.95
Videos
Press Release
One lens, infinite possibilities: Nikon releases the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ power zoom lens for professional videographers
Cinematic NIKKOR Quality Plus All of Your Most Commonly Used Focal Lengths in a Single Versatile Lens
MELVILLE, NY (February 12, 2025)- Today Nikon Inc. announced the release of the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ, a full-frame power zoom lens for the Nikon Z mount made especially for video professionals. Featuring a truly versatile focal range, a customizable power zoom function1, precise manual controls and agile handling, this is the first dedicated NIKKOR Z lens that is designed to empower small-footprint productions and solo videographers with a lightweight cinematic tool that fulfills numerous roles.
The first thing that grabs your attention is the appearance of this lens– the pronounced yellow ring around the bayonet and the bold typography on the barrel stand out, indicating its rightful place in a production environment. The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ looks different than other NIKKOR Z lenses, incorporating an updated design and precise controls made to augment the workflow of cinematographers and videographers, with maximum flexibility.
“There is a long history of professional cinematographers in Hollywood and beyond using NIKKOR lenses to bring their vision to life, and the new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ builds upon this legacy, going a step further to provide exceptional versatility meeting the needs for today’s solo filmmakers,” said Fumiko Kawabata, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc.
The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ is a power zoom lens that spans many of the most commonly used focal lengths, from a wide 28mm for establishing shots, to 135mm for close-up/telephoto coverage. It also covers everything in between, from interviews to events, live or spot news, sports and more. The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ gives videographers superior operability and functionality in situations that require agility, such as when shooting corporate content, documentaries, or on-location coverage, when reshoots just aren’t an option.
The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ offers precise control, letting the user smoothly zoom throughout the focal range, but also offers a choice of 11 different zoom speeds2 to match a specific creative style and vision. The lens is superbly balanced, minimizing shifts in the center of gravity that occur with zooming. This lets the user shoot with confidence, even when constantly using the power zoom feature on a gimbal. The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ also supports a variety of video accessories such as follow-focus controllers, matte boxes and more to help videographers capture the footage they want on location, as well as offering remote control capabilities using a computer or smartphone.
Thanks to the superior NIKKOR Z optical performance, this lens enables users to capture beautiful full-frame, high-resolution 8K video. The lens uses Nikon’s best anti-reflection coating, a Meso Amorphous Coat, to significantly reduce ghosting and flares, while the optical formula is optimized for video with a design that minimizes focus breathing. Additionally, the inclusion of a stepping motor (STM) ensures fast and accurate autofocusing.
Primary Features of the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
- The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ supports a convenient 28-135mm range of focal lengths, allowing for a variety of compositions without changing lenses.
- When used with the Nikon Z8/Z9, Hi-Res Zoom can be used for an angle of view equivalent to that of the 270mm focal length with 4K video recording. Additionally, from 135mm-270mm, the zoom is effectively parfocal.
- The lens supports dynamic close-ups with a minimum focus distance of just 13.3 in (0.34 m) in the 28mm to 50mm range and 22.4 in (0.57 m) in the telephoto range.
- Zooming speed can be selected from 11 speeds and assigned to the zoom lever or one of the camera’s Fn buttons.
- Zoom ring angle and direction of rotation can be customized to suit individual preferences.2
- Synchro mode enables simultaneous optical zoom and Hi-Res Zoom using a single control with video recording.3
- Professional video accessories, including matte boxes and follow focus systems are supported.
- Adoption of an internal zoom mechanism allows for comfortable zooming without concern for shifts in the center of gravity that may upset the balance of the camera-lens setup, especially useful when using a gimbal.
- Adoption of Meso Amorphous Coat, Nikon’s best anti-reflection coating, significantly reduces ghosts and flares.
- Adoption of a stepping motor (STM) ensures fast and accurate autofocusing.
- Optimized for video recording with a design that suppresses focus breathing.
- Support for linear MF drive enables smooth focusing.
- Comes with a rectangular HB-116 lens hood that helps users control the amount of light entering the lens for less ghosting and flares. A filter adjustment window allows users to adjust circular polarizing and variable ND filters while the hood is attached.
- Zooming can be controlled remotely from a computer, smartphone, or tablet using NX Tether, SnapBridge, or NX Field.
- Customizable L-Fn buttons are positioned on the side and top of the lens for convenient operation of assigned functions, even when shooting in vertical (portrait) orientation.
- Nikon’s fluorine coat applied to the front lens element effectively repels dust, water droplets, grease, and dirt.
- Designed with consideration for dust and drip-resistance.4
Price and Availability
The new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens will be available in April 2025 for a suggested retail price of $2599.95* .The lens will also be available as part of a bundle with the new RED KOMODO-X Z Mount camera. For more information on these products, please visit RED.com. For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the vast collection of NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire line of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.
For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the vast collection of NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire line of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.
Specifications, equipment, and release dates are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
1. The camera must be running the latest firmware to use some functions.
2. Firmware may require updating before using this feature. See the product page for compatible cameras. We plan to add support for some models with a future firmware update.
3. Control ring operation is not supported.
4. Thorough dust and drip-resistance is not guaranteed in all situations or under all conditions.
*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
