Nikon Unveils First of Nine Nikkor Z Cinema T1.9 Lenses for Large-Format Sensors

Nikon has announced the development of nine Nikkor Z Cinema T1.9 prime lenses for its Z-mount cameras, including the RED V-Raptor X VV, which features a sensor larger than full-frame. The first lens in the series, the Nikkor Z Cinema 50mm T1.9 VV, has been named, with no release timeline provided. This move fulfills promises made at NAB 2024 in Las Vegas and IBC 2025 in Amsterdam, where Nikon indicated its intention to produce cinema lenses for Z-mount. Keiji Oishi, head of Nikon's Imaging Business Unit and RED's CEO, had told PetaPixel at NAB 2024 that Nikon was actively considering lens development for the cinema market, just days after Nikon acquired RED. The new series will be the first Nikkor lenses to feature an image circle covering the V-Raptor X VV sensor, which measures 40.96mm x 21.60mm, compared to the Nikon Z8's 35.9mm x 23.9mm full-frame sensor. Nikon states the lenses will incorporate a highly precise autofocus mechanism and a new design philosophy aimed at delivering both rendering performance and practicality for professional production environments. The company also hinted that the series might include zoom lenses, as it refrained from using the term "prime" in its description. Nikon expects to provide more details, including pricing and availability, closer to launch, with speculation that the 50mm T1.9 could appear by NAB 2027.