Artra Lab Noxika 28mm f/2.8

Focal length: 28 mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Weight: 180 g
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Min. focus distance: 35 cm
Length: 28 mm

Overview

The Artra Lab Noxika 28mm f/2.8 is a very thin manual focus 28 mm pancake lens for Nikon Z. It was sold as a limited edition of 200 pieces, with pre-orders opening on 26 June 2025 after a teaser the day before. Artra Lab specifies it as a full frame lens. It is aimed at Nikon Z users who want a small, light wide-angle prime with a retro character rather than autofocus.

Optical design

The lens has 9 elements in 3 groups and a 10-blade diaphragm. The maximum aperture is f/2.8 and the smallest is f/22. The angle of view is listed as 75 degrees, which fits 28 mm on full frame. Artra Lab lists a low reflective multilayer coating.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual. The minimum focus distance is 0.35 m, which is close enough for casual detail shots and street portraits. The lens accepts 58 mm filters, a useful feature for a pancake of this size.

Build and size

The lens is 28 mm long and 63 mm in diameter, and it weighs 180 g. The body is aluminium alloy with a brass mount, according to Artra Lab. Those figures place it among the smaller and lighter wide-angle options for the Nikon Z system.

Where it fits

For another 28 mm option in this database, the Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5 is also available for Nikon Z, but it is a creative effect lens with a very different, soft rendering. Artra Lab's own Phi28 28mm f/2.8 is an even thinner 28 mm design, offered for Leica M rather than Nikon Z. For standard autofocus operation on Nikon Z, the camera maker's own wide-angle primes and zooms are the alternative.

Pros and cons

Pros

Very compact at 28 mm long and 180 g
Full frame coverage, according to Artra Lab
58 mm filter thread
Close focus at 0.35 m
10 aperture blades

Cons

Manual focus only
Limited edition of 200 pieces, so availability is restricted
Maximum aperture of f/2.8 is modest

Verdict

The Noxika is a compact, retro-styled walkaround wide-angle for Nikon Z users who are happy to focus by hand. The limited run, small size and filter thread are its main points. It is a lens to choose for handling and character rather than speed.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 28 mm
max focal length: 28 mm
max f (min zoom): f/2.8
max f (max zoom): f/2.8
min. aperture: f/22
Elements: 9
Groups: 3
Weight: 180 g (0.4 lb)
Filter diameter: 58 mm
min focus distance: 35 cm (13.78 in)
Length: 28 mm (1.1 in)
Diameter: 63 mm (2.48 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Artra Lab Noxika 28mm f/2.8 fit?

The Artra Lab Noxika 28mm f/2.8 is a full-frame lens for Nikon Z cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Nikon Z cameras its field of view equals 42 mm in full-frame terms.

Nikon Z cameras

Full frame:: Nikon ZR, Nikon Z5II, Nikon Z6III, Nikon Z8, Nikon Zf, Nikon Z9, Nikon Z5, Nikon Z6II, Nikon Z7II, Nikon Z6, Nikon Z7
APS-C:: Nikon Z50II, Nikon Z30, Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z50