Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 SE FX Autofocus Lens for Z-Mount, Black {52}

Nikon's 40mm f/2 SE: compact prime with retro character

The NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 SE sits at a focal length most shooters underestimate. At 40mm with a 57° angle of view, it splits the difference between 35mm and 50mm, wide enough to work a room or a street corner, tight enough to pull a face out of a crowd. The SE designation brings vintage-inspired styling and tactile build quality that makes it feel like a deliberate choice on any Z-mount body than an afterthought.

At f/2, the lens draws serious light through Nikon's large Z mount, and a 9-blade rounded diaphragm keeps out-of-focus areas clean at closer focusing distances down to 29cm. The optical formula, 6 elements in 4 groups, is lean by design. The whole package weighs 170g and measures just 45.5mm long with a 52mm filter thread, meaning it disappears in a coat pocket or rides a Z body all day without fatigue. A high-torque stepping motor handles autofocus quickly and quietly, and the click-less control ring can be mapped to aperture, ISO, or manual focus depending on how you work. Dust and drip resistance sealing rounds out a lens built for use outside controlled environments.

On a DX-format Z body, the field of view shifts to an equivalent 60mm, keeping it in all-purpose portrait territory. This is a lens you can bring without a plan.

Who It's For

Street photographers get a focal length that doesn't announce itself, 40mm reads as natural to the eye, and the f/2 aperture pulls enough light to shoot available-light scenes without hesitation. Documentary and travel shooters will value the 170g weight and fixed 45.5mm barrel that never extends or retracts, making bag packing and quick draws consistent. Portrait photographers working in tight spaces benefit from the 29cm minimum focusing distance and 9-blade bokeh at wider apertures. Videographers can use the click-less control ring for smooth, silent iris pulls and the near-silent AF motor to minimize on-mic noise during recording.

Key Features

• Nikon Z mount, full-frame coverage with 57° angle of view
• f/2 maximum aperture with 9-blade rounded diaphragm for clean bokeh
• 6 elements in 4 optical groups, compact 45.5mm length and 170g weight
• High-torque stepping motor autofocus with reduced focus breathing for video
• Click-less control ring customizable for aperture, ISO, or manual focus
• Dust and drip-resistant sealing throughout barrel and moving parts
• 29cm minimum focusing distance for shallow depth-of-field separation

FAQ

What focal length is the 40mm in DX crop mode?

On DX-format Z bodies, the effective focal length becomes 60mm, shifting the angle of view into traditional portrait territory while maintaining the same compact physical size.

How close can you focus with this lens?

Minimum focusing distance is 29cm (11.4 inches), close enough that the 9-blade diaphragm's bokeh rendering really shows up in macro-style work.

Is autofocus silent for video?

The high-torque stepping motor operates quietly and suppresses focus breathing, and the click-less control ring lets you adjust aperture smoothly during recording without mechanical noise.

Does the lens have weather sealing?

Yes. Dust and drip resistance sealing protects the barrel and all moving parts, though it's not rated for submersion or sustained heavy rain.

What's the size and weight for travel?

At 45.5mm long, 70mm diameter, and 170 grams, it fits a coat pocket and won't fatigue you on an all-day walkround without a strap.

Can you customize the control ring?

The click-less control ring maps to aperture, ISO, exposure compensation, or manual focus depending on your shooting style and camera settings.

What filter size fits this lens?

52mm filters thread directly onto the barrel, standard for compact primes in this class.