Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II presented: Lightweight, fast and internal zoom
Internal zoom, record autofocus, lighter body: Nikon modernizes its Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. What the new professional lens should do better.
(Image: Nikon)
With the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, Nikon presents the second generation of its professional standard zoom for mirrorless full-frame cameras. The new edition is not only lighter and equipped with a faster autofocus, but also has an internal zoom mechanism, which means that the overall length remains constant.
Housing and handling
At just 675 grams, the new lens is 130 g lighter than its predecessor (805 g) and, according to Nikon, is currently the lightest in its class.
A major innovation is the internal zoom mechanism, a first for a mirrorless 24-70 millimeter lens with an open aperture of f/2.8. As the overall length remains constant when zooming, the center of gravity is not shifted. This is a decisive advantage when used on gimbals or in video rigs, as there is no need for rebalancing. Thanks to the fixed length, the device is better protected against dust and moisture. With a continuous length of 142 millimetres, the new lens is 16 millimetres longer than its predecessor when retracted, but 14 millimetres shorter than its predecessor with a focal length of 70 millimetres.
Nikon has dispensed with the OLED display of its predecessor. What is new, however, is a switch that switches between rasterized and stepless operation of the setting ring – ideal for video recordings, as well as a second programmable L function button, which is intended to ensure that all functions remain easily accessible in both portrait and landscape format.
The lens hood supplied is a practical detail: An integrated opening is intended to facilitate the handling of rotary filters, such as polarizing or variable ND filters, as the aperture can remain in place. At the same time, the filter diameter has been reduced from 82 to the more common 77 millimetres.
Optics and autofocus
(Image:Â Nikon)
The optical structure has been completely redesigned. The design now comprises 14 lenses in ten groups (predecessor: 17 lenses in 15 groups). The number of aspherical lenses has been increased from two to three, while the number of ED glass elements has been reduced from four to two. Nikon combines the Meso-Amorphous coating with the ARNEO coating to effectively reduce ghost images and stray light. The aperture now consists of eleven instead of nine blades, which should provide a visibly rounder and softer bokeh.
The close focusing distance has also been significantly improved: it is 24 centimetres in the wide-angle range and 33 centimetres in the telephoto range, compared to the 38 centimetres of its predecessor. This increases the maximum magnification from 0.22x to 0.32x. According to Nikon, so-called focus breathing, the unwanted change in the image section when focusing, has been halved compared to its predecessor.
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For autofocus, Nikon is using a "Silky Swift VCM" (Voice Coil Motor) for the first time in a Nikon zoom lens. According to the manufacturer, this should ensure the fastest autofocus in the history of Nikkor lenses and increase the AF speed to five times that of its predecessor. The scan time has been reduced by 40 percent and focus tracking when zooming has been improved by 60 percent, while the motor is said to be 50 percent quieter.
Price and availability
The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is expected to be available from mid-September at a retail price of 2.900 euros, well above the launch price of its predecessor.
(tho)
