Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens Review for Underwater Photography & Video [VIDEO]

Featuring Logan Wood

When you think of a go-to wide angle zoom lens for underwater photography, the Nikon 14-30 F/4 S should be near the top of your list. Today we’re looking at how it handles everything from reefscapes to fast moving wildlife and why this lens might be the most versatile native wide angle zoom lens for Nikon shooters underwater.

Watch the video below or scroll down to read the video transcript.

The Nikon Z 14-30mm F/4 S is a great combination of native mount convenience, sharp optics, fast autofocus, and a lens that is suitable for a variety of wide angle subjects.

 

Lens Overview

This is a native Z-mount lens, which means it's designed for Nikon mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7, and Z8. That means no FTZ adapter, no extra length in your port, and no autofocus compromises.

It zooms from an ultra wide 14mm, perfect for big scenes and close focus wide angle. All the way to 30mm, perfect when you want a little extra reach for shy subjects or want to fill your frame with your subject without getting closer.

 

NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm • 1/250 • f/5.6 • ISO 400 © Glenn Ostle

 

Image Quality

Image quality is sharp edge to edge, especially at the 14mm end. Colors pop and fine details hold up with minimal chromatic aberration and flare. Even when shooting towards the sun behind a dome. Just be sure to attach the Anti-Reflection Ring for Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens # 0923.32 to reduce reflections inside your dome.

 

Autofocus

Autofocus is quick and confident, and when paired with a camera like the Nikon Z8, it locks onto subjects better than most DSLR adapted lenses and tracks them well, even in low light or when you're following a subject through the water.

 

NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm • 1/200 • f/9 • ISO 250 © Josh Blank

 

Minimum Focus Distance

One of our favorite things about this lens is how close it focuses, about 11 inches (27.9 cm) from the sensor. That's only about one or two inches (2.5 - 5 cm) from the front of your port. This opens up creative close focus wide angle shots where you get incredible detail of your subject while keeping the expansive background.

 

Field of View

At 14mm you'll get 114 degree field of view, great for big subjects or reef walls. Zoom in to 30mm and you get a tighter composition for subjects like turtles or shy reef fish.

This lens is also rectilinear so you won't be getting a fisheye distortion. This keeps lines straight and allows your scene to look a little bit more natural than it would with a fisheye lens. 

 

NIKKOR Z 14-30mm at 15.5mm • 1/180 • f/8 • ISO 400 © Glenn Ostle

 

Dome Recommendation

Like most rectilinear lenses, it can show a bit of edge softness when shooting behind a smaller dome or shooting at wide open apertures. When shooting behind an 8 inch Dome Port and shooting at apertures of 13 or higher, you'll get clean corners and less distortion. So stop down and get close.

This lens has handled playful sea lions, swirling baitballs, and reefscapes all on the same dive. The versatility to shoot wide expansive shots and then zoom in a little bit more for tighter compositions is a huge advantage underwater.

 

For best results, pair the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens with the Ikelite DL 8" dome port and be sure to attach the anti-reflection sticker.

 

Conclusion

The Nikon Z 14-30mm F/4 S is a great combination of native mount convenience, sharp optics, fast autofocus, and a lens that is suitable for a variety of wide angle subjects. Whether you’re shooting big animals, wrecks, or reefscapes it’s a solid one lens solution.

If you're already shooting this lens underwater, we'd love to hear about your experiences and see your shots, consider submitting your work to become an Ikelite Featured Customer. If you have any other questions, you can shoot us an email to ikelite@ikelite.com.

 

Additional Viewing

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens for Underwater Photography Review & Results

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Nikon Custom Settings for Underwater Photography // Ikelite 200DL Housing [VIDEO]

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Nikon Z6, Z6 II, Z7, Z7 II Setting It Up // Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Assembly [VIDEO]

 

Logan Wood is a published photographer, cinematographer, and Producer at Ikelite. Stemming from a great appreciation for the outdoors and living an active lifestyle, his work focuses on capturing and sharing the natural world through the latest technologies. When not in the studio, Logan can be found cruising on his bike, going to concerts, and researching where to go next. You can see more of his work at loganwood.net and on Instagram @jlowood