Skilled work usually comes down to hurry and suppleness. A quick customary zoom like a 24-70mm f/2.8 is among the most helpful instruments you possibly can preserve in your equipment, and Nikon’s replace to their flagship mannequin brings a mixture of refined enhancements and a few genuinely new options price being attentive to.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this in-depth video evaluations the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens. Frost notes straight away that Nikon has made this model the lightest pro-level zoom of its sort at solely 675 g. Shaving weight won’t sound like a lot on paper, however anybody who has carried a digicam all day at a marriage is aware of what a distinction that makes. Nikon additionally designed it as the primary 24-70mm f/2.8 with an inner zoom. Which may appear minor, nevertheless it makes weather-sealing stronger and retains mud out. For video shooters utilizing a gimbal, it additionally means higher steadiness for the reason that lens doesn’t prolong as you zoom. Autofocus has additionally been up to date to really feel sooner, extra assured, and quieter than the unique.
One of many standout options right here is the customizable management ring, which could be set to show easily or with clicks. Clean turns give video shooters the choice to regulate aperture mid-shot with out stepping, whereas clicks assist nonetheless shooters keep away from unintended changes. Frost additionally highlights how effectively Nikon has dealt with focus respiratory, which is drastically diminished in comparison with the earlier era. These updates present Nikon pushing to enchantment not simply to nonetheless shooters but additionally to filmmakers who desire a dependable workhorse zoom.
Key Specs
Focal Size: 24 to 70mm
Most Aperture: f/2.8
Minimal Aperture: f/22
Lens Mount: Nikon Z
Format Protection: Full body
Minimal Focus Distance: 9.4 in (vast) to 1.1 ft (tele)
Magnification: 0.32x, 1:3 macro ratio
Optical Design: 14 parts in 10 teams
Aperture Blades: 11 rounded
Autofocus: Sure
Picture Stabilization: No
Filter Measurement: 77 mm
Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.9 in
Weight: 1.5 lb / 675 g
In the case of picture high quality, Frost finds efficiency wonderful throughout the zoom vary, although not essentially sharper than the primary model. Extensive open at f/2.8, sharpness is already sturdy within the middle and improves barely when stopped down. Corners are softer however clear up shortly round f/4 to f/5.6. Towards brilliant gentle, the brand new mannequin performs noticeably higher, with much less flare and stronger distinction. Shut-up pictures, nonetheless, present some haze at f/2.8 that clears up when stopped right down to f/4, which is weaker than the unique in that particular space. Out-of-focus rendering is smoother than earlier than, producing backgrounds that look persistently pleasing.
The construct selections make it clear Nikon designed this for professionals who want sturdiness. You get stable weather-sealing, customizable buttons, a responsive guide focus ring, and a lockable hood. The draw back is the absence of picture stabilization, one thing you would possibly count on at this worth level. Nikon depends on in-body stabilization from its cameras, however should you’re working with a physique that lacks it, this may very well be limiting. The worth additionally stays steep at $2,800, which retains it firmly within the skilled tier. Take a look at the video above for the total rundown from Frost.
