Nikon has launched a brand new customary zoom lens which options the quickest autofocus and lightest weight in its class. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is designed for full-frame FX-format mirrorless cameras.
Inner zoom
S-Line lenses are Nikon’s flagship NIKKOR Z lenses and are developed to ship the very highest ranges of optical efficiency. The brand new customary zoom lens covers the versatile focal size vary from wide-angle 24 mm to medium-telephoto 70 mm. It is usually the primary in its class to function an inner zoom mechanism. Because of this the lens doesn’t change size as you zoom in or out. In consequence, the centre of gravity doesn’t shift, which is nice if you wish to use the lens with a gimbal.
Autofocus
Picture courtesy: Nikon
The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm S II is the primary zoom lens to make the most of the Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM) for the autofocus drive. This combines a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) and a information mechanism developed by Nikon. The VCM is a motor during which a coil reciprocates in a powerful magnetic area created by a robust magnet. It additionally achieves the quickest autofocusing in Nikon historical past, whereas nonetheless being exact and quiet, which is right for video recording. Additionally, the minimal focus distance is 9.4 inches (24 cm) at 24 mm and 13 inches (33 cm) at 70 mm.
Optical design
The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm S II is designed with 14 lens components in 10 teams. These embody a large-diameter double-sided aspherical lens for the entrance lens aspect. The lens additionally options ED (Additional-low Dispersion) glass and aspherical lens components. Plus, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm S II makes use of a Meso Amorphous Coat, which affords the very best anti-reflection efficiency in Nikon historical past. The lens’s ARNEO Coat successfully suppresses ghosting and flares, as nicely, to ship clear photographs.
Fixed aperture
The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm S II zoom lens incorporates a fixed most aperture of f/2.8. Because of this your publicity received’t change as you zoom out and in, which is important for video use. The iris additionally has 11 blades, which ought to give a clean, rounded bokeh within the out-of-focus elements of your picture. Usefully, you possibly can disable the tactile “click on” of the management ring used to regulate the aperture for clean modifications in publicity.
Different options
Picture courtesy: Nikon
Nikon says that the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm S II zoom lens has been optimized for video recording with a design that suppresses focus respiratory. One other advantage of the inner zoom mechanism is that it prevents mud and particles from getting into the lens throughout zooming. This helps to ship superior dust- and drip-resistant efficiency. The lens can be outfitted with a filter adjustment window to be able to regulate round polarizing and variable ND filters with out eradicating the lens hood.
Nikon says that the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm lens is the lightest in its class, weighing round 23.8 ounces (675 g).
What we expect
Nikon’s new NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is a flagship zoom lens that guarantees the very best high quality photographs. Due to this fact, it’s nice to see that Nikon has considered video shooters in addition to nonetheless photographers when designing this lens. The inner zoom mechanism implies that you received’t have to rebalance your gimbal each time you modify the focal size. Options resembling a relentless most aperture and managed focus respiratory are additionally important for video use. The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is a premier lens with a premium price ticket. However when you make your cash capturing video on a Nikon mirrorless digital camera, it could possibly be an important funding.
Pricing and availability
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II zoom lens is anticipated to ship across the center of September 2025. It’ll retail at $2,796.
