Lenses That May Block the Built-in Flash and AF-Assist Illuminator

The lenses listed in this section may block the built-in flash or AF-assist illuminator under some conditions.

AF-Assist Illumination
The Built-in Flash

AF-Assist Illumination

The AF-assist illuminator has a range of about 1.0–3.0 m (3 ft 4 in.–9 ft 10 in.); when using the illuminator, use a lens with a focal length of 16–300 mm. Some lenses may block the illuminator at certain focus distances.

Remove lens hoods when using the illuminator.

The following lenses interfere with AF-assist illumination:

Lenses that prevent the use of AF-assist illumination for autofocus
NIKKOR Z 14–30mm f/4 S

Lenses that limit the range at which AF-assist illumination can be used for autofocus
NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/2.8 S	AF-assist illumination cannot be used for autofocus at distances under 2.5 m (8 ft 3 in.)

The Built-in Flash

The built-in flash can be used with lenses with focal lengths of 16–300 mm, although in some cases the flash may be unable to entirely light the subject at some ranges or focal lengths due to shadows cast by the lens.

Peripheral illumination may drop at focal lengths under 16 mm.

The NIKKOR Z 14–30mm f/4 S casts shadows in photos taken with the built-in flash at all focal lengths. Other lenses that restrict use of the built-in flash are as follows:

Lens	Minimum shadow-free focal length/minimum shadow-free focus distance
NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR	16 mm/0.6 m (2 ft) 24–50 mm/No vignetting
NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/2.8 S	70 mm/1 m (3 ft 4 in.)
NIKKOR Z DX 50–250mm f/4.5–6.3 VR	50 mm/1 m (3 ft 4 in.) 70 mm/0.8 m (2 ft 8 in.) 100–250 mm/No vignetting

Red-Eye Reduction

Lenses that block the subject’s view of the red-eye reduction lamp may interfere with red-eye reduction.