Pancake 26

Weighing just 125 g, the Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 pancake lens was introduced in India towards end February 2023. The letter ‘Z’ identifies it as a lens designed for the Z-mount mirrorless camera bodies. Let us see how it fares on our test bench…

- Rohinton Mehta

Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 ₹46,495

Design & Build Quality

The lens is compact and cute. Though not an ‘S’ lens, it appears well made. Measured from the flange, the lens is just 34 mm, inclusive of the 12 mm thick lens hood. The hood has a thread for 52 mm filters. The front lens cap can be attached to the lens with or without the hood. The lens is dust and drip resistant and has a rubberized ring at the rear to prevent dust or water splashes from entering the lens. The lens mount is made of metal and the lens is made in Thailand.

Key Features

The lens is constructed with eight elements in six groups that include three aspherical elements that help to improve sharpness as well as minimize certain lens aberrations. Autofocus speed and accuracy is controlled via a stepping motor. Accuracy of aperture blades control during continuous shooting is enhanced using an Electromagnetic Diaphragm Control mechanism. The aperture range is from f/2.8 to f/16.