Thanks for the review. I still can't believe this lens costs a whopping $500, Nikon is really laying the pancake tax on thick! And now with that image quality and old school AF motor, absolutely no way this thing is worth $500, just crazy. I'd really like to have a talk with the guys who designed it and priced it out, what en embarrassment.
It’s 100% niche and can’t fault them for that. Price for pickiness. If you are “smarter”, get the 28mm or zoom or both for that price😂 I lean towards thinking the 26mm is ridiculous but it does have its place and will bring in money for Nikon. But if I had a somewhat disposable income and cared a lot for the look and being somewhat conspicuous, I’d get it. However it’s loud so…
Nikon being like: plastic fantastic 40mm + 28mm: 250$ seems like a good price ...heyy, we have decreased size and image quality! 500$ pls 🤗 well... that price will come down eventually^^
I have the lens in use since it hit the shelves on my z8: I could’nt be happier! I have most of the 1.8 lenses as well and they are sharper on the border but not too much of a difference! The AF is a bit noisier but for environmental and street it doesn’t bother me! Overall very satisfied with this little gem8Is it overpriced? Not for me , it feels high quality as are the photos it generates.The microcontrast on this lens is very good as well! I find it better that the Fuji pancake on my XT5!
What wasn’t really discussed is the portability of the lens. I was working as a photojournalist around 2010, and my go to lenses were the 50 and 28 Ds because I could fit both (along with a body) into a Soviet-era gas mask bag (I was in Ukraine). The discreetness of the bag and the smaller size of the camera+lenses let me get into some crazy situations that I don’t think I could’ve with a larger kit. Many of my favorite photos come from this time, and looking through them, it’s clear I wouldn’t have gotten the shots, or even been in the situations to take them with a bigger camera. The Z7ii is a perfect size body (for the way I work) but the 35/50/1.8 S lenses take away any of the portability gained. I don’t yet have this lens, but it’s what I’ve been praying for from Nikon since the move to mirrorless.
This review isn't about the form factor, but about the quality of the optics and focus motor primarily. There's no objective way to rate the form factor or size of the lens, people with different needs or wants have different priorities for the lens size, there's no universal truth to it. However, if the optics are bad it's universally true across all users. What if someone wants a lens with bad optics? None of my business.
@@disadadi8958 well if anything lens size is more objective then image quality. You can’t put a (simple) number on sharpness or aberrations or out of focus rendering and people’s tolerances for those things vary widely.
I think this lens is particularly misunderstood on RUclips. I have a z8 with 24-70 and 70-200 which I use often, but are a huge hassle to carry around. I take my camera everywhere, every single time I leave the house, and if I didn’t already have a compact manual focus m mount lens I would definitely be picking this up. Imo this lens is for people who shoot street most of the time but sometimes need to switch their lenses out for something else (and therefore cannot have a Leica or Fuji rangefinder), and for these people compactness and low weight are far more important than image quality in the corners.
100% agreed. I often grab my X100 or even my Nikon 35Ti when leaving the house simply because they fit in every bag I have, flush against a few books, computer, whatever even with a case on. With my Z7ii + one of the 1.8 primes it feels like I’m shoving a soccer ball into my tote. This could be the lens that lets me really transition to using the Z7 as my daily camera (which is all I ever wanted).
Right, I use Zf with 26 and 40 mostly...corners not really important but the central sharpness is. My copy is pretty sharp. The 26mm is sharper than the 28mm wide open, not sure if there is some copy variation. Pretty much all the other reviews say this about the sharpness.
Interesting results as I like the 26mm a lot. I used to own the 28mm but it didn't click at all for me. Even with its faults i feel that the 26mm is a more versatile lens. Biggest pros with the 26mm for me Weather sealing Close up image quality Smoothness of out of focus areas and bokeh Light sources on the 28mm had a certain glow/smearing I didn't enjoy. I mostly shoot when it's dark with these so it applies to f2.8
I commend Nikon for making such a small lens. I do love a pancake lens! But I would recommend people go Nikon's 28mm f. 2.8 and 40mm f2 instead. Both are still quite small, equal or better optically, and much cheaper. Used, I bought both for about the same price as this lens.
For image quality yes, for pocketability no. Really pocketable get cameras only with pancake lenses. Muffin lenses are often too big. E.g. in a saddle or top tube bag for a road bike a muffin lens is a no-go ... a pancake lens is fantastic!
@@stefanwagener You are right. Optical the 28mm is the better choice. In my opinion the size difference between the 28 and 26 is not that big. If size matters, the 26mm may be the better choise. If you want to pay the extra price for the small size. I mean it is near double the price of the 28.
Interesting, I expected it to do better optically considering comments I've seen from users. . . . . . . . . In my opinion, Z cameras will never be tiny given their mount diameter. I find it odd that Nikon didn't make one decent quality optic around this focal length and maximum aperture instead of splitting the difference with the 28mm f/2.8. I see the real appeal of Z with lenses like with the 28mm's design that has fully internal and quiet focusing yet it's still pretty compact. How much travel space is even saved when the pancake has its filter adapter on it anyways? Can't see how the difference would be significant enough in a bag to justify. The 28mm is good enough for what I do, but I would have liked to seen better optics and a metal mount on that lens instead. The trade-offs are strange to me especially with this optical performance. 🤷
It would be nice to see a behind the scenes of how you setup and film these videos, for example how far away you have to stand when shooting super telephoto lenses
I had both the 40 and 28 f2 lenses, and sold both. I like primes. Those lenses were ok, and definitely cheap. For me they had a couple issues. First, they were small and light, but not small as i wanted. Second, i shoot in some sandy and windy places, and these lenses had no lens/camera sealing, fine sand in the camera is not good. Even though the lens is supposedly dust and splash resistant, that camera seal definitely isnt. The image quality was good, but not great, as well. I just ordered the 26f2 from B&H used for a bit over $400.00. If it performs even a little better, its smaller size and weather sealing will be worth the couple hundred dollar difference to me. None of these lenses will be anywhere near the 35 f1.8, but they have different uses. Nice review.
@@AcidicDelusion it fit my needs perfectly. I think it’s image quality was better than the other two, especially in tough light. Its size is perfect for what i want it for. There is some focus noise but thats not an issue with me. For me, its a better value than the 28mm. You will not be disappointed.
Seems like a cool lens, but it’s a rather poor performance for this price. I can’t wait for your review of the new Canon RF28mm F2.8 STM which seems more reasonably priced.
Thank you for reviewing this lens, Chris! Great video as usual. If you have the time, I'd love to see you put this head to head against the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8
I wanted to write almost the same comment :) It's a great review and quite a nice lens too, but I believe the 28mm f2.8 is a better choice with significantly better value and a bit better image quality too.
IDK. If this was a $309 lens like the others, I'd be inclined to get it but I'd almost get the 28mm (although not quite as as compact) for $200 less than this lens). I think the only thing going for this lens is the compactness, but beyond that, I don't personally see that there is much here worth spending money on. I'd almost say Nikon would have been better off doing a 35mm pancake or even a 24mm 2.8 or 3.5 pancake type lens.
Great review thanks. This is fantastic for product photography standard 50mm to get the whole product, with the ability to macro shoot small details on the product. Great for wedding photographers or food photographers at a restaurant. The 105 is a far more serious macro, but lacks versatility. I just wish nikon had made this 60mm instead of 50.
which would you recommend for close-ups of somethings like food -the z 26mm or 28mm? from what im gathering the 28, while way better price, is pretty bad -not sharp etc.... or do you have another recommendation for wide angle close-ups? thanks!
If you are using the lens hood with a filter with the 26mm, the compactness quickly disappeared. Just buy the 28mm f/2.8 to save you some bucks with similar size and image quality
Compared to the 28mm, this 26mm is slightly worse in the corners. But in terms of close focus, the 26 blows the 28 out of the water, as the 26mm quality at 2.8 requires the 28mm to stop down all the way to 5.6 to match (at least using your tests as reference). I know this this a year old review but wanted to comment anyway.
Thanks Chris! This is sad...I’m a big fan so I know your reviews are accurate but this is also the hardest review I’ve read/watched. Everyone else rates this comfortably above the Z 28mm. Anyway, one small correction it’s £479 at Park Cameras and £484 at Wex. These are traditionally the highest priced shops I look at (in Greater London anyway).
It's the nature of pancake lenses. Very tiny and small in size but not perfect image quality in every way. It has always been this way with pancake lenses. For such a tiny small lens it performs very well in the most important image areas. You can't expect S-Line performance from it.
@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonasThanks. I have a couple of pancake lenses but other reviewers rated this lens much higher than the Z 28 and 40mm lenses, whereas Chris didn’t really...
i think most people buy this lens for the tiny size which weights nothing and takes absolutely no space in any camera bag. It is especially a fun lens for the Nikon Zfc camera that doesn't have a big grip. This review fails to understand that those buyers don't have perfect image quality as primary choice in mind.
I think people are expecting a lot from a lens challenged massively by size, and think the image quality from the examples was very nice actually, especially bokeh and contrast.
This lens looks fantastic, I wish the wonderful 40mm f2 Z also had this nicer build quality. I love that lens but it is a bummer that it has a plastic mount and no gasket at the lens mount.
How on EARTH can Nikon justify almost $900 (AUD) for this plastic fantastic, with that sort of performance. Pancake or not, the lens is still wide thanks to how big the Z-Mount is, so I don't really buy that excuse. Either way, great review Chris.
I do not understand what purpose this lens has especially with this price point. My first guess was that it has a very good IQ. But your test shows another result. I have the 28mm f/2.8 for half the price and the IQ is obviously no worse than this one.
I'm a Nikon fanboy, but these plastic compact lenses are rubbish - I bought the 40mm f/2 and returned it as soon as I saw the wide-open performance. This is £200 more, so it should be a LOT better. Old 70s AIS lenses are WAY better than these, Nikon needs to make better cheap lenses - the S line are all superb though, TBF.
It's the nature of pancake lenses. Very tiny and small in size but not perfect image quality in every way. It has always been this way with pancake lenses.
Getting real tired of Nikon assuming they can charge premium money for very average quality lenses. I think they'll find that this backfires in the medium term as competitors provide better products and people reach their frustration limit with Nikon's greed.
Thanks for the review. I still can't believe this lens costs a whopping $500, Nikon is really laying the pancake tax on thick! And now with that image quality and old school AF motor, absolutely no way this thing is worth $500, just crazy. I'd really like to have a talk with the guys who designed it and priced it out, what en embarrassment.
The guys who designed it probably think the same you do about the guys who decided on the pricing
It’s 100% niche and can’t fault them for that. Price for pickiness. If you are “smarter”, get the 28mm or zoom or both for that price😂 I lean towards thinking the 26mm is ridiculous but it does have its place and will bring in money for Nikon. But if I had a somewhat disposable income and cared a lot for the look and being somewhat conspicuous, I’d get it. However it’s loud so…
For $500 I expect it to perform better overall
For $500 I'd expect a very steep price drop once it hits the markets!
@@HenryPiffpaff Possible
Nikon being like: plastic fantastic 40mm + 28mm: 250$ seems like a good price ...heyy, we have decreased size and image quality! 500$ pls 🤗
well... that price will come down eventually^^
I have the lens in use since it hit the shelves on my z8: I could’nt be happier! I have most of the 1.8 lenses as well and they are sharper on the border but not too much of a difference! The AF is a bit noisier but for environmental and street it doesn’t bother me! Overall very satisfied with this little gem8Is it overpriced? Not for me , it feels high quality as are the photos it generates.The microcontrast on this lens is very good as well! I find it better that the Fuji pancake on my XT5!
Why did you choose this lens instead of 28mm?
What wasn’t really discussed is the portability of the lens. I was working as a photojournalist around 2010, and my go to lenses were the 50 and 28 Ds because I could fit both (along with a body) into a Soviet-era gas mask bag (I was in Ukraine). The discreetness of the bag and the smaller size of the camera+lenses let me get into some crazy situations that I don’t think I could’ve with a larger kit. Many of my favorite photos come from this time, and looking through them, it’s clear I wouldn’t have gotten the shots, or even been in the situations to take them with a bigger camera. The Z7ii is a perfect size body (for the way I work) but the 35/50/1.8 S lenses take away any of the portability gained. I don’t yet have this lens, but it’s what I’ve been praying for from Nikon since the move to mirrorless.
A compact 50 or 55mm would be nice. Or even 60mm - the images I see with the 40mm on crop Z cameras look really good.
This review isn't about the form factor, but about the quality of the optics and focus motor primarily. There's no objective way to rate the form factor or size of the lens, people with different needs or wants have different priorities for the lens size, there's no universal truth to it. However, if the optics are bad it's universally true across all users. What if someone wants a lens with bad optics? None of my business.
@@disadadi8958 well if anything lens size is more objective then image quality. You can’t put a (simple) number on sharpness or aberrations or out of focus rendering and people’s tolerances for those things vary widely.
I'm looking forward to your Nikon Z DX 24mm F1.7 review !
That dropping of the lens cap in the beginning of the video, got me rolling on the floor 😂😂
I think this lens is particularly misunderstood on RUclips. I have a z8 with 24-70 and 70-200 which I use often, but are a huge hassle to carry around. I take my camera everywhere, every single time I leave the house, and if I didn’t already have a compact manual focus m mount lens I would definitely be picking this up. Imo this lens is for people who shoot street most of the time but sometimes need to switch their lenses out for something else (and therefore cannot have a Leica or Fuji rangefinder), and for these people compactness and low weight are far more important than image quality in the corners.
100% agreed. I often grab my X100 or even my Nikon 35Ti when leaving the house simply because they fit in every bag I have, flush against a few books, computer, whatever even with a case on. With my Z7ii + one of the 1.8 primes it feels like I’m shoving a soccer ball into my tote. This could be the lens that lets me really transition to using the Z7 as my daily camera (which is all I ever wanted).
Right, I use Zf with 26 and 40 mostly...corners not really important but the central sharpness is. My copy is pretty sharp. The 26mm is sharper than the 28mm wide open, not sure if there is some copy variation. Pretty much all the other reviews say this about the sharpness.
Interesting results as I like the 26mm a lot. I used to own the 28mm but it didn't click at all for me. Even with its faults i feel that the 26mm is a more versatile lens.
Biggest pros with the 26mm for me
Weather sealing
Close up image quality
Smoothness of out of focus areas and bokeh
Light sources on the 28mm had a certain glow/smearing I didn't enjoy.
I mostly shoot when it's dark with these so it applies to f2.8
I commend Nikon for making such a small lens. I do love a pancake lens!
But I would recommend people go Nikon's 28mm f. 2.8 and 40mm f2 instead. Both are still quite small, equal or better optically, and much cheaper. Used, I bought both for about the same price as this lens.
The 28mm f2.8 is the much better choice.
Thanks for the review.
For image quality yes, for pocketability no. Really pocketable get cameras only with pancake lenses. Muffin lenses are often too big. E.g. in a saddle or top tube bag for a road bike a muffin lens is a no-go ... a pancake lens is fantastic!
@@stefanwagener You are right. Optical the 28mm is the better choice. In my opinion the size difference between the 28 and 26 is not that big. If size matters, the 26mm may be the better choise. If you want to pay the extra price for the small size. I mean it is near double the price of the 28.
If I’m going out riding a bike with a bike saddle I’m taking my iPhone 😂
Interesting, I expected it to do better optically considering comments I've seen from users.
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In my opinion,
Z cameras will never be tiny given their mount diameter. I find it odd that Nikon didn't make one decent quality optic around this focal length and maximum aperture instead of splitting the difference with the 28mm f/2.8.
I see the real appeal of Z with lenses like with the 28mm's design that has fully internal and quiet focusing yet it's still pretty compact. How much travel space is even saved when the pancake has its filter adapter on it anyways? Can't see how the difference would be significant enough in a bag to justify.
The 28mm is good enough for what I do, but I would have liked to seen better optics and a metal mount on that lens instead. The trade-offs are strange to me especially with this optical performance. 🤷
Can't wait for the 24mm dx 1.7! Samples looks gorgeous!!
The 28mm 2.8 would be a better choice at half the price. For ZFC use its good to see 1.8's or below coming through so less need for these 2.8's.
Nice review as usual! .. Shame you did not test in DX Mode. would have liked to see how it performed on my Zfc.
It would be nice to see a behind the scenes of how you setup and film these videos, for example how far away you have to stand when shooting super telephoto lenses
I had both the 40 and 28 f2 lenses, and sold both. I like primes. Those lenses were ok, and definitely cheap. For me they had a couple issues. First, they were small and light, but not small as i wanted. Second, i shoot in some sandy and windy places, and these lenses had no lens/camera sealing, fine sand in the camera is not good. Even though the lens is supposedly dust and splash resistant, that camera seal definitely isnt. The image quality was good, but not great, as well. I just ordered the 26f2 from B&H used for a bit over $400.00. If it performs even a little better, its smaller size and weather sealing will be worth the couple hundred dollar difference to me. None of these lenses will be anywhere near the 35 f1.8, but they have different uses. Nice review.
Why comparing s lines lenses with non s line? Totally different usage, the 40 & 28 are excellent for their prices.
@@chromaticvisuelle i agree. I am hopeful that the 26mm performs well too.
@@scottgray4877how did it perform ? I’m probably gonna get one this weekend
@@AcidicDelusion it fit my needs perfectly. I think it’s image quality was better than the other two, especially in tough light. Its size is perfect for what i want it for. There is some focus noise but thats not an issue with me. For me, its a better value than the 28mm. You will not be disappointed.
When will you review the Canon RF 28mm f2.8 pancake?
🤞
A review should appear in about 3-4 weeks. I'm working on it but there's a delay. Apparently it's great, though
Seems like a cool lens, but it’s a rather poor performance for this price. I can’t wait for your review of the new Canon RF28mm F2.8 STM which seems more reasonably priced.
“I love pancake lenses!” while removing the cap in the most clumsy, unhinged way imaginable was a treat 😂
hmm at that price point i'd rather take a fully manual voigtlander for more interesting image quality!
Same
The images in this video looked sensational to me. Voigtlander is heavy glass. This lens is for traveling.
Hope that Canon’s pancake 28mm 2.8 review is coming soon too 🙏
Would you please test the Nikon Z 24mm f1.7 DX lens? It promises to be a great little prime for their DX cameras.
Thank you for reviewing this lens, Chris! Great video as usual. If you have the time, I'd love to see you put this head to head against the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8
I wanted to write almost the same comment :) It's a great review and quite a nice lens too, but I believe the 28mm f2.8 is a better choice with significantly better value and a bit better image quality too.
IDK. If this was a $309 lens like the others, I'd be inclined to get it but I'd almost get the 28mm (although not quite as as compact) for $200 less than this lens). I think the only thing going for this lens is the compactness, but beyond that, I don't personally see that there is much here worth spending money on. I'd almost say Nikon would have been better off doing a 35mm pancake or even a 24mm 2.8 or 3.5 pancake type lens.
Thanks for all your reviews 👍
I hope you will test soon on 24 dx 1.7 😁
When will you review RF 28mm f2.8 ?
Great review thanks. This is fantastic for product photography standard 50mm to get the whole product, with the ability to macro shoot small details on the product. Great for wedding photographers or food photographers at a restaurant. The 105 is a far more serious macro, but lacks versatility. I just wish nikon had made this 60mm instead of 50.
Hi Christopher. I have a request :) would you be able to test the Fujifilm XF 8mm please?
which would you recommend for close-ups of somethings like food -the z 26mm or 28mm? from what im gathering the 28, while way better price, is pretty bad -not sharp etc.... or do you have another recommendation for wide angle close-ups? thanks!
If you are using the lens hood with a filter with the 26mm, the compactness quickly disappeared. Just buy the 28mm f/2.8 to save you some bucks with similar size and image quality
Maybe paired with Nikon Z30 or Zfc would be better
Now it's time for a rangefinder-style FF from Nikon like the A7C
It’s not a pancake, but the Viltrox 24mm f1.8 is much better value imo.
Compared to the 28mm, this 26mm is slightly worse in the corners. But in terms of close focus, the 26 blows the 28 out of the water, as the 26mm quality at 2.8 requires the 28mm to stop down all the way to 5.6 to match (at least using your tests as reference).
I know this this a year old review but wanted to comment anyway.
Thanks Chris! This is sad...I’m a big fan so I know your reviews are accurate but this is also the hardest review I’ve read/watched. Everyone else rates this comfortably above the Z 28mm. Anyway, one small correction it’s £479 at Park Cameras and £484 at Wex. These are traditionally the highest priced shops I look at (in Greater London anyway).
It's the nature of pancake lenses. Very tiny and small in size but not perfect image quality in every way. It has always been this way with pancake lenses. For such a tiny small lens it performs very well in the most important image areas. You can't expect S-Line performance from it.
@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonasThanks. I have a couple of pancake lenses but other reviewers rated this lens much higher than the Z 28 and 40mm lenses, whereas Chris didn’t really...
Given the choice which lens would prefer to have, the 28mm or the 26mm?
And if using the ZFc would the 24mm be better
Thanks you Christopher as always my main source of lens review
This lens at this price makes the Sony 24mm f2.8 G look attractive!
I love this lens, and I 100% agree with this review. Thank you !
I wonder if it's possible to make a pancake zoom lens 🤔
The Nikon DX 16-50mm VR. For crop only though.
Hope you can test the 7-180 and the 24-200 from Z system
How about the rf 28 2.8
Performance is not at the level of the price
Too expensive for the delivered quality.
i think most people buy this lens for the tiny size which weights nothing and takes absolutely no space in any camera bag. It is especially a fun lens for the Nikon Zfc camera that doesn't have a big grip. This review fails to understand that those buyers don't have perfect image quality as primary choice in mind.
Good lens but 150$ more than what its worth.
@mipmipmipmipmip Thats half the asking price haha
@mipmipmipmipmipt’s good for the size. But I’d probably go with the 24-50
I think people are expecting a lot from a lens challenged massively by size, and think the image quality from the examples was very nice actually, especially bokeh and contrast.
Hope you do the dx 24 1.7
This lens looks fantastic, I wish the wonderful 40mm f2 Z also had this nicer build quality. I love that lens but it is a bummer that it has a plastic mount and no gasket at the lens mount.
I took it under a snow storm and it was fine, the whole obsession with gasket and plastic mount on tiny lenses are a waste of time
How on EARTH can Nikon justify almost $900 (AUD) for this plastic fantastic, with that sort of performance. Pancake or not, the lens is still wide thanks to how big the Z-Mount is, so I don't really buy that excuse. Either way, great review Chris.
Where does this lens shine? The price asked seams too much
Size and weight lol
@@livejames9374 i know, I just wanted to point that the price is high
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
a dream if it were 1.8 at that size
The link on your description takes me to another Nikon lens and not this one.
Fixed! :-)
@@christopherfrost appreciate you!
Focus breathing ❌
Zoom focusing ✅
😂
2nd ! Great video .. of PAN cake lens
I do not understand what purpose this lens has especially with this price point. My first guess was that it has a very good IQ. But your test shows another result. I have the 28mm f/2.8 for half the price and the IQ is obviously no worse than this one.
This is a lot sharper in center. A bit sharper mid frame and a bit behind on edges.
This lens will be fun on the Nikon Zfc camera.
it should be £300
Nope. I still prefer Viltrox 24mm f1.8 for much much less than that whopping $500 Nikon pricetag.
⚡️
E-mount needs more pancakes 😞
500, yeah, no
I'm sorry, forget the lens. Crystal Pepsi????
Pity.
Overpriced for that amount of aberration
I'm a Nikon fanboy, but these plastic compact lenses are rubbish - I bought the 40mm f/2 and returned it as soon as I saw the wide-open performance. This is £200 more, so it should be a LOT better. Old 70s AIS lenses are WAY better than these, Nikon needs to make better cheap lenses - the S line are all superb though, TBF.
Looks like Nikon should stick to Muffin lenses (like the 28mm 2.8) rather than pancakes. Too many compromises.
It's the nature of pancake lenses. Very tiny and small in size but not perfect image quality in every way. It has always been this way with pancake lenses.
Getting real tired of Nikon assuming they can charge premium money for very average quality lenses. I think they'll find that this backfires in the medium term as competitors provide better products and people reach their frustration limit with Nikon's greed.
Your comments are paid? S-Line of lenses are excellent at Nikon and better than F-Mount.
The Bokeh is not smooth at all. That's a downer
Not as good as the (much cheaper) 27mm f/2.8 Fuji certainly
It's just $100 cheaper and covers a sensor that's just half the size of the Fuji lens. Also, normal focal length pancakes are easier to design.
A very "Meh" lens.
In short, this is a garbage lens. Then only the 40/2 remains, nothing to write home about…… it’s a dud this Zf
what a bad lens
First!