Five key takeaways from the new Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S II lens announcement
Here are the five key takeaways from the new Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens, announced today:
- Innovative Design: The lens features an internal zoom mechanism, making it the world’s first professional 24-70mm F2.8 lens with this design. This allows for consistent handling and balance while zooming, enhancing usability for both photographers and videographers.
- Lightweight and Durable: Weighing only 675 grams, it is the lightest lens in its class. The lens is also built with pro-grade weather sealing, making it more robust and suitable for outdoor use.
- Enhanced Autofocus Performance: Equipped with Nikon’s Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor, the lens offers 5x faster autofocus that is 50% quieter and improves focus tracking by 60% during zooming, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.
- Superior Optical Quality: The lens incorporates next-generation S-line optics, including dual-sided aspherical lens elements and ED glass, advanced coatings (Meso Amorphous and ARNEO) to reduce ghosting and flare, and features a rounded 11-blade aperture for smoother, more circular bokeh.
- Improved Close-Up Capability: The lens features a short minimum focus distance of 0.24 m at 24mm and 0.33 m at 70mm, enabling better close-up performance and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.21x at 24mm and 0.32x at 70mm.
Commentary: Given that the initial version was a high-performing model (see my review here), I was initially surprised when this lens was announced. However, it is clearly the most important in the line-up for showcasing the company’s abilities and has to be refreshed regularly. The 24-70mm F2.8 is also probably the best-selling high-end model in the line-up and likely in or close to constant production. Lenses are produced in batches, with the most popular ones made continuously or close to it, which is why shortages can last for quite a period.
What’s more surprising about this announcement, though, is that this is a thoroughly redesigned model from the ground up. However, I suspect the new lens will rely heavily on digital correction (built-in profiles for distortion and LaCA). It’s also likely to be paired with a new camera announcement, such as the highly anticipated Nikon Z9 II. What technological advances we’re likely to see there are hard to predict. Still, given this lens’s strong video-centric design, complete with inner zooming and thus a durable outer barrel for attaching heavy matte-boxes, it’s likely to appeal to videographers as much as stills photographers.
The term “game-changer” is overused in this industry, but it’s the kind of upgrade that’s difficult to ignore, even if you have its predecessor. Furthermore, if you’re just starting as a working photographer or even looking to switch, its appeal is undeniable.
The new lens will be available in September for £2,599.
Check price and pre-order:
KEH (used)
