Bought this lense with my Z5 and it is stuck there for months. It is simply suitable for almost everything and light enough to bring your camera everywhere. Amazing video with stunning shots and the background music is giving even more depth. Thank you for this video 🙏
The 40mm is so nice i want Nikon to release an all metal version of it, with an aperture ring and maybe some additional lens coatings. As it is I can't seem to take it off my Zf
I would gladly pay more for a full metal body aperture ring and more advanced coatings i wouldn't change the element count tho as I feel this is what gives the lens soul imagine a black and silver version or black with the vintage nikon gold ring I hope nikon notices how popular this camera is not only for nikon shooters and start making more lenses for it they can make a ton of money if they do.
I've been feeling pretty uninspired for the past month but this video is going to get me to go out today and take a few photos around town. So much emotion in the photos of people, I love it!
I wish I could like this video 100 times. These are the best images I've seen with this combo. You shoot similar subject to me which is rare for me to find on social media, especially RUclips. I was hoping I could get the Zf and 40mm como I this year but it wasn't in the cards. Seeing all these beautiful images has me so excited! I live in rural southern iowa.
It's a great little lens. I think this 40 was Nikon's first foray back into "character" lenses. By keeping it cheap, and making it a kit lens, they put a ton of them out there, then sat back and waited for the feedback. Took a year or two, but enough of us noticed it's qualities - enough to make a positive difference in sales numbers. So they gave us the 35mm f1.4 this year (on the cheap), then the 50mm f1.4 (even cheaper)... both with amazing "character" (that 50's my new favorite Z mount lens). I'm kinda excited to see this new direction, and I'm waiting for a possible 85mm f1.4 sometime soon. I'm hoping, if they sell well, there'll be a Z-mount version of their legendary 105mm f1.4g coming sometime soon (for half the price of that g version). Fingers crossed!
I LOVE this new direction, and I'll definitely be getting both the 35 and 50 f/1.4 lenses. Such a great decision by Nikon - unique, high-quality lenses that aren't perfect and don't break the bank. THAT is what I want!
@@apostraffstudio The Z macro's an amazing lens. Amazingly sharp and clinical. As are most of the S line lenses. I'm waiting for those imperfectly perfect "character" lenses; specifically ones with slight blur round the outer rim and a curved plane of focus. My all-time favorite lens for Nikon is the Voigtländer 58mm f1.4, which clinicians would detest, but the character and glow from that lens wide-open is a dream in itself. It's sharp as surgical knives if you step it down, but I bought it for the character at f1.4 My macro work gets done on a Canon R7 with the RF 100mm f2.8 macro because it's autofocus with a 1:1.4x magnification ratio and a 1.6x crop. Gets me closer without needing the Marumi Achromat Macro 5+ diopter lenses (but if you add the diopter, you could isolate a fly's eyes - virtually microscopic)
@@WolfgangWhyte Thank you for your opinion, I understand what you are talking about. That is why I am content with the imperfect Nikkor 40/2.0 and the perfect 105/2.8 macro ))) I wish you to wait for the release of the imperfect 105 /1.4 from Nikon!
Great pictures. I have the same setup. The difference is i bought a metal lens hood for the 40mm prime instead of using a UV filter or the lens cup. The 40mm F2 SE is an internal focus lens.
Perfect run and gun lens Z. 40mm kinda splits the difference of the common focal lengths and it does have soul…at least it does when you’re working it. Great job Z
I love your images. The results speak for themselves. I think the 40mm is a good compromise. It's small and compact, not adding too much bulk to the Zf. The two things that I don't like about the lens: 1. No metal mount and no real weather sealing gasket. 2. The close up sharpness of the lens is really not great. It is the lens that typically is on my Zf though. For all the reasons you mentioned.
For decades, I wanted a manual focus or F-mount autofocus lens with these specs, but it was not to be. Later in life, I think there was a Cosina/Voigtlander 40mm lens offered in the F-mount, but by then, I no longer cared. I became very comfortable with the image format of the Rollei 35S with its 40mm lens in the 1970s. I'd love to put a manual focus mount version of this lens on an FG as a walk-around camera.
As much as I enjoyed the review of of the 40mm ,I also enjoyed your photography. Many reviewers give informative reviews accompanied by mediocre photographs. You have "the eye".
Great vid ! I must admit that this lens is in fact filmic. Was not aware of this when I bought it. But must admit after I've used it. Of course, subject (wonderful in your vid.) and recipes are a plus for making this feeling bigger. I'm very happy with it and its soul. I'm sure the 24mgp full frame sensor helps in a manner. Cheers, Geoffrey from Brussels.
I relate. This lens slowly educated my style. (I am an amateur). I like taking portraits, as was my father (who was a professional photgrapher - and tought me about taking potratits). I had the preconception that 40mm will not be good for my style of photography. But I ended up liking it. And slowly, I started taking wider pics, not just looking for that face... I started ejoying it.
Maybe not everyone's version of this lens is the same but i would put my 40mm right up there with my 85mm or 24-70mm. Mine is a very sharp lens. I bought mine 2 years ago on black Friday for street photography. I thought it would be a nice compromise between the 35mm and 50mm. I was really impressed when I saw the first images on my computer. I bought a 28mm back at Christmas last year and I use it the most now.
I love my Voigtlander 40mm 1.2, but sometimes i miss this lens. I sold my non SE version along with my z6ii to supplement my purchase of a ZF. but i think one day itll return to my bag if the stars align.
I agree with your findings on this lens. I felt the same way when I bought it for my Z5 as I have always been a 35/85 focal length photographer. The fifty always seemed too long although recently I started to use it again although I tend to shoot PJ style to include the background in the shot for context. The forty also has a rounded aperture so the bokeh at all of the F-stops have round bokeh balls. It also has more subjects isolation than a 35mm lens. All and all a great compromise between 35-50mm. it makes me want to check out some of 1.4 40mm lenses to increase that separation. On my DX Zfc I use a 30mm 1.4 Sigma lens and it has good separation as well with a 45mm FOV. Nice review and very nice images. It reminds me of the shots I took when I got mine. B&W images on the Zf are so easily done with magic switch on top of the camera. Regards Gerry
The 40 f2 brings back fond memories of how the 50 f1.8 E-series lens in the 80's surprised the photography community. I knew from that piece of history that I wanted the 40 on my Zf.
I bought the ZF on a last minute whim for a trip with intention of using it with some manual lenses. However when I got there, I just wanted to enjoy the trip and not worry about manual focusing, so I bought the 40mm f2 se locally since it would allow me to auto focus. From the minute I took my first photo, I knew it was special. It just gave the images a certain feel. It's not perfect but like you say it does have SOUL. To this day I cant seem to take it off.
As a fellow ZF / 40mm owner and a fellow Nebraskan (Lincoln) I absolutely loved seeing these images. Curious of your process….are you carrying this setup with you everywhere you go and just shooting what you see? Or are you going out to shoot with these specific locations / photos in mind? Thanks for sharing!
My man! A fellow Nebraska man! How cool. If I ever go out of the metro area, I'm almost always grabbing the Zf and generally whatever lens is on it out. Then I shoot whatever I find along the way! Let's get coffee sometime! jerredz@gmail.com
40mm is great. It may not be as versatile as 35mm, but the background is more pleasing and FoV looks more natural. The background isn't as good as 50mm, but it is more versatile and easier to shoot in most situation. The 40f2 is almost perfect as it is, just wish the mount was made of metal though.
I think the mark of good art is often something that makes you feel how someone else might feel. Or even just consider how someone else might feel on a very deep level.
Just got my Zf in the mail this morning. I bought as a "kit" with the 40 f2 basically because it was the best deal, with the lens basically for free. Before buying I checked the reviews and they basically said it is an Ok "for the price point" lens, so I imagined: I will have this as AF all rounder and buy a MF 40 for fun and quality. Obviosly I took the kit with me all day and shoot some random pictures, just to test it. Nothing fancy in terms of subjects, location or light, but hey... I was surprised. I liked it! I love the 40mm field of view and I agrre with you, this lens has a character, a soul. PS: I just found out you can assign the aperture control to the lens ring (sorry... Nikon novice here) and I was delighted. Not an aperture ring... but almost!
Hello! Yes - the 40 is really cool, right? And yeah, you can assign the aperture control to the ring... but it just never has felt right to me. I'm a Fuji guy too, so I love the clickable aperture rings with true stops!
Agree. I still like the XT5 controls, clicks and general pleasure to use better. But I am impressed by the 40mm lens and the Zf sensor. Jpeg colors are at par with Fujj... or maybe better. Is this a heresy? rsrsrs
I have the 35,50,85 1.8 Z lenses. Larger and heavy to carry and the 40 competes well 4 to 11. Lens is useable at 2 and 2.8 if you can forgive the very corners which generally are not important if you open that wide anyway. This lens might be a cure for GAS at a low price.
You don't need a Leica q 43...the Nikon is already there. It's a low element ( 6 elements in 4 groups) lens..with good micro contrast ...it has a more classic look...i think the results are unique..thanks a lot...nice shot's
@@JerredZ Yea I got the 40mm as a filler lens, never thought I'd love it so much, I'd love to see Nikon make a more sturdy one, because it does feel like a toy, but it's given me my best portraits on the Z8 so I'm not complaining.
Yeah... I have almost hit "purchase" on that for a long time now, but I haven't yet. The 40 f/2 is so good it's keeping me from buying the 1.2! (at least for now...)
Hello Jerred, my name is Johnny and I'm a freelance logo designer, would you love to have a graphic based logo for your channel to have a memorable brand that represent you well that can to fit into a small circle and square frame like the RUclips small channel picture and it can be overlay on your work and also as merchs print for your audience to buy too? Let me know if you interested and I would love to make it for you! :-)
LOL! I bet. I've visited NYC many times and love it. Omaha is still a bigger city - the 40th in the country! You also have to understand how weird it is out here. When the Huskers play in Lincoln, the stadium instantly becomes the second biggest "city" in the entire state. So for us, Omaha is big!
I own great two camera brands and lenses: Sony and Fuji. Howbeit, I'm not even remotely a good photographer, even having taken 1,000s of photos from living overseas and here at home across America. A great photographer can do many creative, eye-catching things with average lenses. It's not always the science and quality-making of camera lenses, it's the art of eye-catching quality of creativeness is what makes an exceptional picture/photograph. When the twain meet, you often see results like these displayed in this short videos. Pictures are emotional unspoken storytelling that stimulates and captures the mind and mood of all creatures. Even animals reacts to pictures.
This video portrays not primarily a great lens, but rather an excellent photographer.
and nice editing)
Hey! Thank you so much! I'm honored you think so.
Bought this lense with my Z5 and it is stuck there for months. It is simply suitable for almost everything and light enough to bring your camera everywhere. Amazing video with stunning shots and the background music is giving even more depth. Thank you for this video 🙏
The 40mm is so nice i want Nikon to release an all metal version of it, with an aperture ring and maybe some additional lens coatings.
As it is I can't seem to take it off my Zf
Me too! I bought the thing for retro lenses... but I keep rocking the 40!
I would gladly pay more for a full metal body aperture ring and more advanced coatings i wouldn't change the element count tho as I feel this is what gives the lens soul imagine a black and silver version or black with the vintage nikon gold ring I hope nikon notices how popular this camera is not only for nikon shooters and start making more lenses for it they can make a ton of money if they do.
I've been feeling pretty uninspired for the past month but this video is going to get me to go out today and take a few photos around town. So much emotion in the photos of people, I love it!
DUDE! Get out there man! I spent 17 hours on the road the other day taking photos the whole time. It was time well spent!!!!!
Great photos! Really love the 40mm focal length.
Great video. 40mm and 45mm are my favourite focal lengths. This lens has a feel that is very similar to the vintage carl zeiss jena pancolar 50mm f1.8
Great Video 📸💯…Loved my 40mm so much that I got the 28mm as well !
What are your thoughts of the 28mm? I use the 40 so much that I leave the 28mm at home
I don’t have the 28 but the 26 pancake is awesome.
I wish I could like this video 100 times. These are the best images I've seen with this combo. You shoot similar subject to me which is rare for me to find on social media, especially RUclips. I was hoping I could get the Zf and 40mm como I this year but it wasn't in the cards. Seeing all these beautiful images has me so excited! I live in rural southern iowa.
Whoah! Thank you so much, Brendon! I'm honored you think so highly of the images! Let me know if you're ever out my way!
It's a great little lens. I think this 40 was Nikon's first foray back into "character" lenses. By keeping it cheap, and making it a kit lens, they put a ton of them out there, then sat back and waited for the feedback. Took a year or two, but enough of us noticed it's qualities - enough to make a positive difference in sales numbers. So they gave us the 35mm f1.4 this year (on the cheap), then the 50mm f1.4 (even cheaper)... both with amazing "character" (that 50's my new favorite Z mount lens). I'm kinda excited to see this new direction, and I'm waiting for a possible 85mm f1.4 sometime soon. I'm hoping, if they sell well, there'll be a Z-mount version of their legendary 105mm f1.4g coming sometime soon (for half the price of that g version). Fingers crossed!
I LOVE this new direction, and I'll definitely be getting both the 35 and 50 f/1.4 lenses. Such a great decision by Nikon - unique, high-quality lenses that aren't perfect and don't break the bank. THAT is what I want!
@@JerredZ Cheers🍻! And what was it, four years ago everyone was saying Nikon was a dead system? How's that lookin' now, lads?
There is already the equally legendary and versatile Nokkor Z 105mm f2.8 Macro, so why wait for anything else?
@@apostraffstudio The Z macro's an amazing lens. Amazingly sharp and clinical. As are most of the S line lenses.
I'm waiting for those imperfectly perfect "character" lenses; specifically ones with slight blur round the outer rim and a curved plane of focus. My all-time favorite lens for Nikon is the Voigtländer 58mm f1.4, which clinicians would detest, but the character and glow from that lens wide-open is a dream in itself. It's sharp as surgical knives if you step it down, but I bought it for the character at f1.4
My macro work gets done on a Canon R7 with the RF 100mm f2.8 macro because it's autofocus with a 1:1.4x magnification ratio and a 1.6x crop. Gets me closer without needing the Marumi Achromat Macro 5+ diopter lenses (but if you add the diopter, you could isolate a fly's eyes - virtually microscopic)
@@WolfgangWhyte Thank you for your opinion, I understand what you are talking about. That is why I am content with the imperfect Nikkor 40/2.0 and the perfect 105/2.8 macro ))) I wish you to wait for the release of the imperfect 105 /1.4 from Nikon!
Awesome video. I hate that people are still talking about lens sharpness in 2024! Loved your take on this lens.
Great pictures. I have the same setup. The difference is i bought a metal lens hood for the 40mm prime instead of using a UV filter or the lens cup. The 40mm F2 SE is an internal focus lens.
Perfect run and gun lens Z. 40mm kinda splits the difference of the common focal lengths and it does have soul…at least it does when you’re working it. Great job Z
Thanks, Dan. I dig this lens a lot!
Very inspiring video, music, your story telling and photos 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks my man!
I love your images. The results speak for themselves.
I think the 40mm is a good compromise. It's small and compact, not adding too much bulk to the Zf.
The two things that I don't like about the lens:
1. No metal mount and no real weather sealing gasket.
2. The close up sharpness of the lens is really not great.
It is the lens that typically is on my Zf though. For all the reasons you mentioned.
For decades, I wanted a manual focus or F-mount autofocus lens with these specs, but it was not to be. Later in life, I think there was a Cosina/Voigtlander 40mm lens offered in the F-mount, but by then, I no longer cared. I became very comfortable with the image format of the Rollei 35S with its 40mm lens in the 1970s. I'd love to put a manual focus mount version of this lens on an FG as a walk-around camera.
Awesome shots sir! Love my 40mm as well.
Love the way you edited the pics. Very nostalgic feel.
Thank you - I definitely wanted them to feel that way, so yay!
There is something special about finding a solid lens camera combo.
As much as I enjoyed the review of of the 40mm ,I also enjoyed your photography. Many reviewers give informative reviews accompanied by mediocre photographs. You have "the eye".
Thanks so much, Paul!
Great vid ! I must admit that this lens is in fact filmic. Was not aware of this when I bought it. But must admit after I've used it. Of course, subject (wonderful in your vid.) and recipes are a plus for making this feeling bigger. I'm very happy with it and its soul. I'm sure the 24mgp full frame sensor helps in a manner. Cheers, Geoffrey from Brussels.
Thanks for watching!
I relate. This lens slowly educated my style. (I am an amateur). I like taking portraits, as was my father (who was a professional photgrapher - and tought me about taking potratits). I had the preconception that 40mm will not be good for my style of photography. But I ended up liking it. And slowly, I started taking wider pics, not just looking for that face... I started ejoying it.
Nice review man and beautiful sample images..
Thank you!
Love your work!
Thank you!
Beautiful photos! This lens is a keeper! This is my next camera. May I ask, what grip is that? Makes it look like a Nikon F3!
Hey, thank you so much! And that is the Neewer grip - cheap and works fine!
Maybe not everyone's version of this lens is the same but i would put my 40mm right up there with my 85mm or 24-70mm. Mine is a very sharp lens. I bought mine 2 years ago on black Friday for street photography. I thought it would be a nice compromise between the 35mm and 50mm. I was really impressed when I saw the first images on my computer. I bought a 28mm back at Christmas last year and I use it the most now.
I love my Voigtlander 40mm 1.2, but sometimes i miss this lens. I sold my non SE version along with my z6ii to supplement my purchase of a ZF. but i think one day itll return to my bag if the stars align.
Many excellent photos Jerred. Shows your talent, regardless of the price of the lens.
Appreciate that, Craig! It's a lot of fun to use!
I agree with your findings on this lens. I felt the same way when I bought it for my Z5 as I have always been a 35/85 focal length photographer. The fifty always seemed too long although recently I started to use it again although I tend to shoot PJ style to include the background in the shot for context. The forty also has a rounded aperture so the bokeh at all of the F-stops have round bokeh balls. It also has more subjects isolation than a 35mm lens. All and all a great compromise between 35-50mm. it makes me want to check out some of 1.4 40mm lenses to increase that separation. On my DX Zfc I use a 30mm 1.4 Sigma lens and it has good separation as well with a 45mm FOV. Nice review and very nice images. It reminds me of the shots I took when I got mine. B&W images on the Zf are so easily done with magic switch on top of the camera. Regards Gerry
Thank you, Gerry! I appreciate it - and the switch on the top for BW is pretty fun!
The 40 f2 brings back fond memories of how the 50 f1.8 E-series lens in the 80's surprised the photography community. I knew from that piece of history that I wanted the 40 on my Zf.
I had the 1.8e and put it on my f3 - felt wrong but love the results.
I bought the ZF on a last minute whim for a trip with intention of using it with some manual lenses. However when I got there, I just wanted to enjoy the trip and not worry about manual focusing, so I bought the 40mm f2 se locally since it would allow me to auto focus. From the minute I took my first photo, I knew it was special. It just gave the images a certain feel. It's not perfect but like you say it does have SOUL. To this day I cant seem to take it off.
So cool! Thanks for sharing. This lens and combo rocks!
As a fellow ZF / 40mm owner and a fellow Nebraskan (Lincoln) I absolutely loved seeing these images. Curious of your process….are you carrying this setup with you everywhere you go and just shooting what you see? Or are you going out to shoot with these specific locations / photos in mind? Thanks for sharing!
My man! A fellow Nebraska man! How cool. If I ever go out of the metro area, I'm almost always grabbing the Zf and generally whatever lens is on it out. Then I shoot whatever I find along the way! Let's get coffee sometime! jerredz@gmail.com
40mm is great. It may not be as versatile as 35mm, but the background is more pleasing and FoV looks more natural. The background isn't as good as 50mm, but it is more versatile and easier to shoot in most situation.
The 40f2 is almost perfect as it is, just wish the mount was made of metal though.
This is the only one AF len I have on my ZF. Good enough for my need.
A fellow vintage adapting junkie, a man of culture
The first shot made me feel patriotic and im canadian ahah
My man! Thanks dude - I do love that shot!
Super disappointed this comment didn’t end with the proverbial “eh”
I think the mark of good art is often something that makes you feel how someone else might feel. Or even just consider how someone else might feel on a very deep level.
I have it on my ZF, never removed it, its perfect
Rock on!
Just got my Zf in the mail this morning. I bought as a "kit" with the 40 f2 basically because it was the best deal, with the lens basically for free. Before buying I checked the reviews and they basically said it is an Ok "for the price point" lens, so I imagined: I will have this as AF all rounder and buy a MF 40 for fun and quality. Obviosly I took the kit with me all day and shoot some random pictures, just to test it. Nothing fancy in terms of subjects, location or light, but hey... I was surprised. I liked it! I love the 40mm field of view and I agrre with you, this lens has a character, a soul. PS: I just found out you can assign the aperture control to the lens ring (sorry... Nikon novice here) and I was delighted. Not an aperture ring... but almost!
Hello! Yes - the 40 is really cool, right? And yeah, you can assign the aperture control to the ring... but it just never has felt right to me. I'm a Fuji guy too, so I love the clickable aperture rings with true stops!
Agree. I still like the XT5 controls, clicks and general pleasure to use better. But I am impressed by the 40mm lens and the Zf sensor. Jpeg colors are at par with Fujj... or maybe better. Is this a heresy? rsrsrs
I have this lens but I’m using it in a Z50. Got me interested in picking up the Z DX24mm f1.8 to experiment with.
The 1.7? I have that lens and I fucking love it. Crazy close focusing distance too.
This combo produces very pleasing photos d700 like but better iso and dynamic range
No idea about the lens - but beautiful images once again
lol! Yeah, I appreciate that. I know I'm a weird "lens reviewer" because I keep my stuff stylized the way I do them... but thank you!
@@JerredZ No I love your lens reviews! :) I'm a Fuji user so wasn't really interedted in the lens, but loved the video anyway. Keep them coming!
I have the 35,50,85 1.8 Z lenses. Larger and heavy to carry and the 40 competes well 4 to 11. Lens is useable at 2 and 2.8 if you can forgive the very corners which generally are not important if you open that wide anyway. This lens might be a cure for GAS at a low price.
“How it makes someone feel when the photo is printed and on a wall.”
Few grasp that that is the actual lens test.
You don't need a Leica q 43...the Nikon is already there. It's a low element ( 6 elements in 4 groups) lens..with good micro contrast ...it has a more classic look...i think the results are unique..thanks a lot...nice shot's
This lens is literally stuck to my Z8 basically anytime I’m not using the 100-400. It’s become my favorite prime.
Awesome! Wild how that happens, right? the Z8 and THIS lens? But I agree - it's a great combo!
@@JerredZ Yea I got the 40mm as a filler lens, never thought I'd love it so much, I'd love to see Nikon make a more sturdy one, because it does feel like a toy, but it's given me my best portraits on the Z8 so I'm not complaining.
Does it have water and dust resistant? I have plan to take desert photography next month
Nikon says its resistant, but to what degree I'm not sure!
get the 45 manual pancake. the silver one not the black 👍
Sweet review.....so ma y reviews have said then same about this lens.
I'm looking at the voightländer 40 1.2 MF lens, for when I get this camera.
Yeah... I have almost hit "purchase" on that for a long time now, but I haven't yet. The 40 f/2 is so good it's keeping me from buying the 1.2! (at least for now...)
agreed
can I have same results with nikon z5? its half of zf price in local stores
Very similar! The Z5 is a full frame sensor, so you'll see similar image quality, I'd imagine!
Hello Jerred, my name is Johnny and I'm a freelance logo designer, would you love to have a graphic based logo for your channel to have a memorable brand that represent you well that can to fit into a small circle and square frame like the RUclips small channel picture and it can be overlay on your work and also as merchs print for your audience to buy too? Let me know if you interested and I would love to make it for you! :-)
"Omaha Nebraska a big city"
hahahaha, population 483k
Try living in NYC, pop 8.2 million
LOL! I bet. I've visited NYC many times and love it. Omaha is still a bigger city - the 40th in the country! You also have to understand how weird it is out here. When the Huskers play in Lincoln, the stadium instantly becomes the second biggest "city" in the entire state. So for us, Omaha is big!
@@JerredZ
Yup, everything is relative.
Btw, keep up the great photography in your 'big' state!
No thank you 😅
sadly nothing at all when compared to the Z28 SE 😉
Really? I'll have to check it out next then!
I own great two camera brands and lenses: Sony and Fuji. Howbeit, I'm not even remotely a good photographer, even having taken 1,000s of photos from living overseas and here at home across America.
A great photographer can do many creative, eye-catching things with average lenses.
It's not always the science and quality-making of camera lenses, it's the art of eye-catching quality of creativeness is what makes an exceptional picture/photograph. When the twain meet, you often see results like these displayed in this short videos.
Pictures are emotional unspoken storytelling that stimulates and captures the mind and mood of all creatures. Even animals reacts to pictures.