Nikon Z FX Full-Frame Lenses / Nikon & Third-Party Manufacturers

I’ve been gradually replacing many of my older F-mount lenses with newer dedicated Z-mount lenses.

The ability to put F-mount glass on Z-mount camera bodies using the FTZ II adapter is a killer feature that opens up an enormous range of possibilities. And it’s something I’ve been doing for a while now.

But there can also be clear benefits to using dedicated Z-mount lenses. In some cases, the newer lenses are simply better. They’re often lighter and smaller. And the new mount system opens up new possibilities. And maybe it’s just me, but I’ve accidentally left my FTZ adapter out of my bag too many times . . .

So I’ve been interested in knowing what the options are. And that’s why I started this exercise: to get a sense of what the alternatives were. And once I started, I was amazed at how many options there are already available.

Nikon has done a really impressive job of fleshing out their own lineup, of course. And they’ve done it relatively quickly. Sure, I’d love a new Z-mount fisheye option, but they’ve got most of the major bases covered already.

But what surprised me most was how many aftermarket options there are. Many are manual focus, of course, but tucked in there are some really interesting specialty lenses. And there’s a huddle of newer Chinese companies breaking into the US market with very affordably priced lenses that are often surprisingly good. (That’s not to say all of them are good, and their quality can vary, of course, which is why I try my best to personally test them out in real-world shooting as the opportunity arises (and I’m adding links to those results in the tables below when they become available)).

This post focuses on full-frame lenses for Nikon Z full-frame camera bodies — or FX, in Nikon’s terminology. But these lenses will work on Nikon Z DX cameras; on those cameras, multiply the focal range by 1.5x to get the 35mm equivalent.

I’ll do my best to keep this information up to date with the latest lenses. But since some brands are better than others at communicating updates, that’s not always easy, and I appreciate any tips that you can provide for missing or newly announced lenses worth noting and adding (or any that I should try out!).

Nikon NIKKOR Z lenses

Unsurprisingly, Nikon has the largest range so far by a wide margin. And they also have a strong lead in advanced features like lens stabilization, autofocus speed and accuracy, and weather sealing.

But even within the Nikon range, there are sub-ranges, such as the S-series lenses with premium optics. (I have an explanation of the various Nikon lens codes separately.)

The lenses I’ve included here are all full-frame / FX lenses. They also have some dedicated DX lenses for Z-mount, which I’ve posted separately. You can actually use DX lenses on Nikon Z FX bodies, but it will automatically register the DX coverage and crop the sensor accordingly, meaning you’ll only be using part of the FX camera’s sensor area.

NOTE: By tradition, all Nikon lenses also carry the “NIKKOR” brand in the name. But since that’s applied to all their lenses and doesn’t offer a way to differentiate between different Nikon lenses, I’ve omitted it below.

From third-party manufacturers

NB: Nikon has started rolling out firmware updates that might not play nicely with third-party lenses. For example, in July 2025 ,Nikon issued a new notice warning users not to update your camera’s firmware with a third-party lens attached.

There are also reports of some early compatibility issues reported with Tamron lenses with Nikon Z8 firmware v.3.00. It’s unclear so far whether this is a concerted effort by Nikon to clamp down on third-party lenses or isolated issues.

Increasingly, more third-party manufacturers are releasing some interesting alternatives to fit the Nikon Z mount. In most cases, these lenses are also available with versions for mirrorless mount systems like Sony E-mount or Leica M-mount.

There are different unofficial categories of these aftermarket lenses.

Price. Many are at outstanding price points. And because the level and expertise of manufacturing have increased so much in recent decades, the quality of some of these aftermarket brands has become really good. They’re often inexpensive, but in many cases, they don’t deserve the negative connotations of “cheap.” They’re not all of equal quality, and the reality is that quality can vary model to model, even within the same manufacturer. And some are rebranded versions made by other manufacturers.

I haven’t tested all of these lenses personally (yet!). But I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by how good some of them are, considering their very appealing price points.

Specialized. Some third-party lenses offer niche characteristics or features that you don’t see in Nikon’s range. Things like 2:1 macros, extreme wide-angles, bubble bokeh, or a combined tilt-shift macro. Or even vintage optical designs.

Optics. Some offer supremely good optics. Such as those from Zeiss. They’re definitely not cheap, especially for a manual-focus lens. But they employ the very best optics for critical shoots or discerning users.

So I wanted to put together this master list of available Nikon Z-mount prime lenses as much for my own reference as anything, as my to-do list of lenses to try out and as an index for linking to my existing reviews and sample images.

I’m focusing here on brands that are available in the US, because that’s where I’m based. And over time, there will inevitably be other manufacturers entering the fray, and I’ll aim to add those as the opportunity arises.

I’m also focusing here on lenses designed primarily for stills photography. Several of these manufacturers also produce specialized cine lenses for cinematography, but that’s a different category that appeals to a different kind of shooter, and I haven’t included those here.

As you can see from the lists below, most of these are manual focus. But an increasing number of autofocus options have become available recently. I’ve included the focus type as a core feature because it’s critical to many photographers’ needs and preferences.

Something worth noting about some of the Chinese brands is that several of them are reportedly manufactured by a company called DJ Optical and are just rebadged and marketed under different brands. That’s not to say that all the lenses are identical; you can clearly see below that while there are overlaps, the offerings are not perfect duplicates.

Why no Sigma?

You might notice a brand conspicuously missing here that has been one of the leading third-party lens manufacturers for decades: Sigma.

I’ve had very good experiences with many Sigma lenses over the years, but at the time of writing, they don’t have any Nikon Z-mount full-frame lenses in their range.

Sigma does have a few Nikon Z-mount lenses for DX/APS-C cameras, but I’m covering those separately.

Tamron

Tamron used to be the “budget alternative,” but in the mirrorless era, they have effectively become a co-first-party manufacturer. Founded in 1950, they are historically significant for inventing the T-mount, but today they are famous for their unique zoom ranges (like the 35-150mm) that Nikon doesn’t even make. They offer near-native autofocus performance and optical quality that often rivals Nikon S-line glass, usually in a lighter, cheaper package.

Viltrox

If you looked at Viltrox five years ago, you would have seen a company making cheap adapters and monitors. Today, they are arguably the most aggressive Chinese manufacturer in the autofocus space. Unlike others who stick to manual focus, Viltrox has cracked the code on Nikon Z autofocus, delivering “Pro” level primes (like the f/1.2 series) that are surprisingly close to first-party performance for a fraction of the price.

I’ve been testing some Viltrox lenses out and been generally (but not always) impressed.

NB: If you decide to buy from the Viltrox store directly, you can use coupon code HAVECAMERA at checkout for 10% off.

7Artisans

Founded in 2015 by a group of camera enthusiasts in Shenzhen, 7Artisans creates lenses for people who want to experiment without breaking the bank. They don’t aim for clinical perfection; they aim for fun. Known for their ultra-fast f/0.95 primes and unique pancakes, they offer an all-metal, tactile manual focus experience that feels much more expensive than the price tag suggests.

NB: If you decide to buy from the 7Artisans store directly, you can use coupon code HAVECAMERA at checkout for 5% off.

TTArtisan

TTArtisan is a brand owned by Shenzhen Mingjiang Optical Technology Co. Despite the similar names, TTArtisan and 7Artisans are separate companies, but they do have a connected history: TTArtisan was founded by one of the co-founders of 7Artisans who split off to form a rival brand after a disagreement.

TTArtisan has carved out a niche by making lenses that look and feel like vintage Leica glass. They lean heavily into the “retro” vibe with dense brass barrels, clicked aperture rings, and classic optical formulas.

Laowa

Laowa is a brand of lenses put out by Venus Optics, a Chinese company founded in 2013 by a graduate in opto-electronic engineering who previously designed lenses for major Japanese and German manufacturers.

This is the brand you go to when you need a lens that shouldn’t exist. Founded in 2013 by optical engineers who wanted to break the rules, they specialize in the extreme: ultra-wide “Zero Distortion” lenses, 2:1 super-macro lenses, zoom fisheyes, and the famous “Probe” lens. They don’t make generic 50mm primes; they make specific tools that solve unique problems for landscape and macro shooters. I’ve found the ultra-wide 10mm f/2.8 and 100mm 2:1 macro to be particularly useful.

Fun fact: “Laowa” (or 老蛙) apparently means “old frog” in Mandarin.

Zeiss

ZEISS has a well-deserved reputation for extremely good optics. It’s a German optical manufacturer founded in 1846 by Carl Zeiss in Jena, and they began producing camera lenses in 1890. Notable contributions include the development of the Planar (1896) and Tessar (1902) lens designs, as well as pioneering anti-reflective coatings in 1935.

However, in the mirrorless age, they have largely stepped back from the consumer market. Their Z-mount options are manual-focus masterpieces known for “micro-contrast” and “3D Pop,” but they are premium tools for discerning shooters who value rendering over modern conveniences like autofocus.

Voigtlander

Voigtländer is one of the oldest names in photography, originally founded in 1756 in Vienna by Johann Christoph Voigtländer. The company began as a manufacturer of scientific instruments and later became a pioneer in photographic optics. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Voigtländer was known for its innovative cameras and lenses, including the Heliar, Skopar, and Nokton series. The company underwent several ownership changes, eventually becoming part of Carl Zeiss in the mid-20th century.

In 1999, the Japanese company Cosina acquired the rights to the Voigtländer brand and began producing lenses under this name. Cosina manufactures these lenses in Japan, maintaining high-quality standards and often utilizing classic optical designs.

They produce what many consider the finest manual focus lenses on the market today. Unlike vintage glass, these use modern coatings and optics, but they are housed in retro, all-metal barrels with smooth mechanical focus rings. They are for the “tactile” photographer who wants the feel of a 1960s film camera with the sharpness of a 21st-century sensor.

Meyer-Optik Golitz

Meyer-Optik Görlitz is a brand with a rollercoaster history. Originally a German rival to Zeiss, they became famous for their “Soap Bubble Bokeh.” The company effectively died, was “zombie-revived” via Kickstarter (with some controversy), went bankrupt, and was recently bought by a serious German optical firm (OPC Optics) that redesigned the mechanics from scratch. Because of this, buying a Meyer lens is tricky, but their new “II” series lenses are high-precision tools designed to recreate that magical, imperfect vintage character.

Tokina

Tokina is one of the “OG” third-party manufacturers, sitting alongside Tamron and Sigma since the 1950s. Historically known for building lenses like tanks (heavy, metal, durable), they are famous for their “Opera” series and the unique “Focus Clutch” mechanism that lets you snap between AF and MF instantly. While they have been quieter in the Z-mount era, they still offer unique, high-quality optics often re-engineered from their classic DSLR successes.

Rokinon / Samyang

Known as Rokinon in North America and Samyang everywhere else, this South Korean company single-handedly democratized cinema glass. They became famous for affordable, fully manual lenses that gave indie filmmakers a “cine” look for cheap. Today, they have evolved into a serious autofocus competitor, offering the first third-party autofocus lenses for several mounts, often beating the major brands to market with innovative, lightweight primes.

Meike

Meike is a Hong Kong-based manufacturer producing affordable lenses for multiple camera systems, including Nikon Z-mount. They started as a maker of cheap battery grips, but they have quietly become a powerhouse in the budget cinema world.

They are best known for their “Mini Prime” cine lenses, which are a staple for film schools. Recently, they’ve pushed hard into the photo world with a new “Pro” series of autofocus lenses that offer weather sealing and aperture rings at very attractive prices.

Mitakon Zhongyi

Mitakon (Zhongyi Optics) has one main party trick: Speed. They are famous for their “Speedmaster” series, which features ultra-fast f/0.95 apertures. While they have been making optical components since the 1980s, their modern reputation is built on giving photographers that dreamy, razor-thin depth of field look (the “Noct” look) for about 10% of the price of a Nikon Noct.

Yongnuo

I know Yongnuo best from their affordable but effective speedlights; I own and use several of them. In the mid-2010s, they began producing camera lenses. By drawing on older designs from the established lens companies, Yongnuo lenses are generally designed to offer basic functionality at a low price point.

In recent years, Yongnuo has developed more original designs and introduced features like stepper motors (STM) for quieter autofocus, especially in its mirrorless-compatible lenses. Apparently they also manufacture their own line of mirrorless cameras, primarily for the Chinese domestic market.

Kipon

Kipon spent years making the metal rings that let you mount one lens to another camera. In 2012, they realized they knew enough about mounts to start making the glass, too. Partnering with German optical engineers (IBELUX), they produce high-speed, manual focus lenses that bridge the gap between “adapter manufacturer” and “boutique optic house.”

Kase

Chinese brand Kase, founded in 2011, is another brand better known for other photography accessories. In this case, it’s the related optical products of lens filters.

AstrHori / Rockstar

AstrHori (formerly Rockstar (yes, really!)) is the brand that makes the lenses other companies ignore. They differentiate themselves by producing highly specialized tools like “Probe” macro lenses for product video and affordable Tilt-Shift lenses for architectural work. If you need a weird, specific tool but can’t afford the professional version, AstrHori might have the answer.

Thypoch

Thypoch is a brand new player (debuting in 2023) that is targeting the high-end “art lens” market, especially for Leica but also some with Z-mounts. With a name inspired by Greek mythology (“Thy” + “Epoch”), they are releasing vintage-inspired lenses (like the Simera line) that feature depth-of-field scales (the little dots on the barrel) that actually light up/change color. Some of their fast primes are particularly popular with Nikon Zf street shooters. So far, their lenses have all been manual-focus, but in April 2026 they announced their first autofocus lens (the Voyager 24-50mm f/2.8).

NiSi

Chinese brand NiSi (founded around 2005) is another brand I know best from their filters. In recent years, NiSi has expanded into camera lens production, with lines such as the Athena series of prime lenses and the Aureus Prime T1.4 series, designed for cinema production.

Yasuhara

Yasuhara is a tiny Japanese firm founded by a former camera engineer who wanted to revive the spirit of mechanical photography. When the film market dried up, they pivoted to creating “experimental” lenses, like the Nanoha (a super-macro lens that comes with its own light) or the Momo (soft focus).

Sirui

Sirui started as a tripod company, but they single-handedly started the “budget anamorphic” revolution. Before Sirui, shooting anamorphic (the widescreen, cinematic look with blue flares) cost $50,000. Sirui released lenses that did it for $500. While they have some standard primes (the Sniper series), they are primarily the go-to brand for videographers wanting that Hollywood look.

Artra Lab

Artra Lab (stands for: Art Random Adventures) is a Hong Kong startup that is 100% committed to the aesthetic. Their lenses are designed to look exactly like Nikon AI-S lenses from the 1980s or classic rangefinder glass. They are all-metal, non-clickable, and feature deliberate optical “flaws” like classic flaring to give images a nostalgic, non-digital feel.

Brightin Star

Brightin Star is a Shenzhen-based lens manufacturer that produces affordable prime lenses for modern mirrorless systems, including the full-frame Nikon Z mount. While the brand originally built its reputation on budget-friendly, all-metal manual lenses, they have recently expanded their lineup to include modern autofocus (AF) models.

Updates

• September 30, 2026 / Added new Brightin Star MF 50mm f/2 TRI-SIGHT Z
• September 24, 2026 / Added new Laowa (Venus Optics) 24mm f/2 Tilt-Shift C-Dreamer Z
• September 21, 2026 / Added new Laowa (Venus Optics) AF 35mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer 1x Macro APO Z
• August 27, 2026 / Added new 7Artisans 10mm f/2.5 MAX Z Fisheye
• August 22, 2026 / Added new Brightin Star 55mm f/1.8 Z
• August 4, 2026 / Added new Pergear 50mm f/1.4 Z
• August 4, 2026 / Added new Laowa (Venus Optics) Aksen 45mm f/2.8 1-5X Ultra Macro APO Z
• August 4, 2026 / Added new Laowa (Venus Optics) Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10X Ultra Macro APO Z
• July 24, 2026 / Added 21 new lenses.
• July 23, 2026 / Added 24 new lenses.
• April 22, 2026 / Added new Brightin Star 12mm f/2.8 Autofocus
• March 23, 2026 / Added new TTArtisan 17mm f/4 Tilt-Shift and Venus Optics Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift
• February 24, 2026 / Added new ZEISS Otus ML 35mm f/1.4
• February 18, 2026 / Added new Tamron 35-100mm f/2.8 Di III VXD (A078)
• January 15, 2026 / Added new Voigtlander Portrait Heliar 75mm f/1.8 Aspherical
• January 7, 2026 / Added new Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1
• November 25, 2025 / Added new Laowa 35mm f/2.8 Zero-D Tilt-Shift 0.5× Macro
• November 13, 2025 / Added new Meike 85mm f/1.8 SE II Z
• November 6, 2025 / Added new Viltrox 85mm f/2 Z
• October 27, 2025 / Added new AstrHori 85mm f/1.8 II Z
• October 16, 2025 / Added new 7Artisans 35mm f/1.8 Z
• October 15, 2025 / Added new Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF
• October 14, 2025 / Added 7Artisans 24mm f/1.8 AF Z
• October 9, 2025 / Added new Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
• October 7, 2025 / Added new TTArtisans 14mm f/2.8 Z
• September 25, 2025 / Added new Thypoch Simera 50mm f/1.4
• September 19, 2025 / Added new Viltrox AF 14mm f/4.0 Air
• September 18, 2025 / Added new Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO
• August 21, 2025 / Added new Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II
• August 15, 2025 / Added new Sirui 35mm f/1.4
• August 14, 2025 / Add new TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2
• August 1, 2025 / Added new 7Artisans 14mm f/2.8 and 75mm f/1.4
• June 27, 2025 / Added new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D AF
• June 26, 2025 / Added Artra Lab lenses
• June 9, 2025 / Added new Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye
• May 15, 2025 / Added new Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Macro Z (Auto-Aperture)