Nikon has announced the launch of the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S for its full-frame mirrorless cameras, filling one of the two gaping holes in its lens lineup for professional shooters.
Nikon says that this high-end zoom has been “reimagined” in order to exploit the newly designed lens mount. With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it brings Nikon a step closer to completing the trinity of fast zoom lenses that are regarded as critical to any system due to their quality and versatility.
The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 has a stepping motor for quiet autofocus and reduced focus breathing, a minimum focus distance of just under 20" (50cm), a nine-blade diaphragm, weather-sealing, and five stops of stabilization. It’s one of two Nikon lenses to feature the company’s newly-developed Short-Wavelength Refractive (SR) lens element for better control of chromatic aberration.
In addition, there are two buttons available for customization alongside a custom control ring.
At a glance, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 seems a little bigger than the same lens on similar systems. The Canon equivalent — the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM — has 17 elements in 13 groups compared to the Nikon's 21 elements in 18 groups. The Canon is 5.75" (146mm) in length and weighs 2.35 lb (1,070 g), while the Nikon is longer at 8.66" (220mm) and heavier at 2.99 lb (1,360 g). The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is a little heavier, but slightly shorter.
The lens will be available from the first week of February for $2,600. Will you be splashing out? Leave your thoughts below.
I like to see a comparison between the F mount 70-200 and the Z mount 70-200 mm. That would tell us if the new mount adds anything.
The MTF charts say it all:
tinyurl.com/yjurszsn
thank you very much - it appears that the Z mount has distinct advantages
Cool, they almost delivered on roadmap schedule too .. Just one week sooner or later is ok haha
The MTF of the Nikon probably makes it the best zoom lens ever designed, very impressive level of performance!