NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II announced

Nikon has just announced their new top of the line, 'do everything lens' – the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. Nikon is touting it as a 'new-generation f/2.8 standard zoom lens'.

Ask any event or documentary photographer (or almost any photographer really) if they could only choose one lens – they'd probably select a 24–70mm f/2.8 lens for it's great versatility. Recently, we’ve seen some 'new generation' zoom lenses with similar focal ranges appear, some offering f/2.0 apertures or slightly longer zoom reaches at f/2.8. The tradeoff, however, is that these alternatives tend to be significantly larger and heavier – which can be a real negative for shooting long events.

While the lens’s faster autofocus and lighter weight will be a welcome advantage for wedding and event photographers, its launch price of $4,599 is higher than comparable standard zooms from other brands, which generally range from $2,800 to $3,300. Hopefully, this price may fall after a while as the original NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is currently retailing for around $3,499.

The improvements

This version introduces an internal zoom mechanism, which helps improve handling and reduces the chance of dust and moisture entering the lens. At approximately 675 g, it is also lighter than comparable lenses in its category, and 130g lighter than the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

For autofocus, the lens uses Nikon’s new Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM) system, offering faster and quieter performance than the previous NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Focusing speed is reportedly now around five times faster, with tracking performance during zooming improved by about 60%.

The optical design includes a large-diameter double-sided aspherical front element, along with ED glass and other aspherical elements, aimed at keeping the lens diameter compact while maintaining high image quality.

Features

• The multi-focusing system for which the Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM) has been adopted for the first time in a zoom lens, achieves the fastest autofocusing in Nikon history, with extremely precise and quiet AF for both still-image and video recording.
• A compact design with the lightest weight (approx. 675 g) in its class, and 77-mm filter-attachment size makes it easy to carry and less burdensome when shooting handheld.

  

• The first in its class to be equipped with an internal zoom mechanism that prevents dust and debris from entering the lens during zooming, delivering superior dust- and drip-resistant performance. Even when zooming, it maintains its balance, allowing for flexible use of a variety of video accessories.
• The lens supports a minimum focus distance of 0.24 m at the wide-angle end and 0.33 m at the telephoto end. Maximum reproduction ratio is 0.21× at the wide-angle end and 0.32× at the telephoto end, allowing users to get closer to their subjects for dynamic expression.
• Adoption of Meso Amorphous Coat, which offers the best anti-reflection performance in Nikon history, and ARNEO Coat effectively suppresses ghosting and flares, resulting in clear images.
• A newly developed 11-blade diaphragm enables very round bokeh expression.
• Optimised for video recording with a design that suppresses focus breathing.
• Equipped with a control ring clicking switch that allows the user to enable and disable the tactile “click” of control ring operation.
• Equipped with a filter adjustment window that allows users to adjust circular polarising and variable ND filters without removing the lens hood.

The lens is available for pre-order at $4,599.00

You can find out more on the Nikon Australia website.