The "Perfect" 70-200mm, the new Nikkor Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II
- Andrew JK Tan
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Huge thanks to Nikon Singapore for the opportunity to test run the latest Nikkor Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II lens well before it's official launch.
Just how good or improved was this new lens over the original version which was already a brilliant performing lens ? Please do check out my first impressions below.
Nikon Z9 | Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II | Z1.4xTC |
Summary of the physical improvements, key specifications & unique features
New "ARCA SWISS" foot incorporated into fully detachable tripod collar
Finally a major camera manufacturer listened to it's users who had been requesting this for the longest time ever ... & Nikon delivered BRAVO !!!!!
Detachable tripod collar
The entire tripod collar can now be easily removed (including foot & without the need for any tools) to save even more weight.
Once the tripod collar was removed , a separate protective cover can be easily inserted to protect the lens from potential damage & maintain the body profile. You can see me removing the protective cover in this short clip. The photographer has the option to use or not, not using it will shave another 32 grams of the overall weight bringing it down to LESS than 1kg.
Designed to SAVE WEIGHT
Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II weight without Tripod Collar & Protective cover | 998 grams |
Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II weight without Tripod Collar | 1030 grams |
Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II weight with Tripod Collar | 1180 grams |
Z70-200mm f/2.8 S (previous version) without Tripod Collar | 1360 grams |
Save up to 362 grams with new S II version , which is a very significant weight saving.
The new lens comprises 18 elements in 16 groups VS. 21 elements in 18 groups (previous version) accounting for significant reduction in weight (~ 26% lighter)
Physically SHORTER (by 0.472 inches or 12mm) & at least 330 grams LIGHTER & loaded with innovations/features
Definitely a wonderful achievement when a lens can be made optically superior yet reduced in size, weight, with improved AF performance & filled with so many thoughtful features like that cool arca-swiss compatible foot.
When mounted to my Nikon Z9, I immediately felt the POSITIVE impact to overall handling
New Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II on the left
Internal Zoom | S-Line |
SSVCM | Silky smooth Voice Coil AF Motor delivers high speed, quiet & high precision AF
AF speed is 3.5x faster (vs. previous version)
Scan time (at telephoto end) faster by 45% | Scan time quantifies the speed at which AF moves from foreground to background
New hood has Filter Adjustment window
Compatible with Z TC 1.4x & 2.0x
Improved Close focus distance giving higher magnification 0f 0.3x
Two Fn buttons on lens for enhanced user flexibility
77mm filter thread similar to original 70-200mm
Beautiful bokeh & natural gradation
Weight with Tripod collar | 1.18 kg |
Weight w/o Tripod collar & protective cover | 0.998 kg |
Arca Swiss compatible foot
Removable tripod collar
6 stops VR performance (with Nikon Z6III)
Meso Amorphous + ARNEO coating
Custom Control ring with optional click
Let's cover the BOKEH rendering performance
As far as how this new lens renders bokeh, I will let the following series of UNEDITED images do all the talking & convincing. Bottom line, bokeh rendered was super smooth & uber creamy and this is due to the 11 aperture blades in this new version (vs. 9 for the previous version)
I did do a very quick comparison with the original Z70-200mm f/2.8 S , Bokeh wise I could not really tell the difference but as far as color rendering was concerned I did find that the new Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II did consistently produce "richer" colors & better controlled highlights ....... I attribute this to the Meso Amorphous coating on the new lens which seemed to perform better than the Nano Coat on the older lens. The Meso-Amorphous coating surpresses ghosting & flaring, enabling clearer image reproduction.
Both lenses also have the ARNEO coating. Check out the LAST image in the series below which was captured with the older lens.
Check out the UNEDITED files | All images captured WIDE OPEN at f/2.8 | Hand-Held |
Camera | Nikon Z9 with Firmware 5.30 | Images captured with Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S II except the last image |
AUTOFOCUS performance
From my brief test using 3D tracking , autofocus performance was extremely fast. Eventhough I can't quantify that the new len's AF was 3.5x faster then the original version, this new version did feel faster. I can also confirm that the AF performance when focusing on subjects that were very near to those that were very far & vice versa was superb, AF was never confused, nor hunted in anyway while focusing even when the focus areas were severely out of focus bokeh areas.
Check out the Video clip below showing just how good & accurate the AF tracking was with the new lens.
Note | Forgot to switch off airplane subject detection but that did not seem to distract the AF in anyway.
Camera | Nikon Z9 Firmware V5.30 | Hand-Held | AF Area-mode 3D tracking |
Bottomline I was very impressed with the overall AF performance. AF was confident, no hint of hunting, accurate, super silent & super fast.
I also coupled the new Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II to my current Z1.4xTC.
AF tracking worked fine & I did NOT notice any reduction in AF speed nor notice any accuracy issues even with Tele-converter added.
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
I was extremely happy with this amazing lens. Great first impressions experience.
Nikon had made it smaller & noticeably LIGHTER improving overall handling.
Nikon fans will also be extremely happy that Nikon listened & made the tripod collar foot ARCA SWISS compatible. Nikon also allowed the entire tripod collar with foot to be removed shaving off even more weight from the lens.
Image Quality (IQ) was without question top notch with super creamy & superbly rendered bokeh.
Autofocus experience was superb especially when focusing between extreme near & far distances repeatedly.
So now for the most important question, would I add this lens to my lens portfolio ?
If I was a 70mm-200mm fan then I would definitely acquire this version in a heartbeat.
Now If you cover events, weddings, landscape, people/portraits, travel, street or even food, then this is one lens that you need to seriously consider adding to your lens portfolio.
Till the next review, happy shooting , yours truly test driving the amazing Z70-200mm f/2.8 S II around Artscience area.
Special thanks to Nikon staff for the assist during the session
Andrew JK Tan | MentorgraphyZ | Nikon Creator |
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