Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens

[Michael Erlewine]

After a long wait my copy of the new Nikkor-Z S 70-200mm f/2.8 finally showed up. Here is a quick iPhone photo of it. It has a Kirk Enterprise tripod foot on it that gives me Arca-Swiss coupling.

And here is a short stack of images and a single image. So, far… looks very good. Quite the lens.


I wondered if it is as good a lens as all the hype. Looks to be that good. Better than I expected and I expect a lot.

More to follow…

I include a stacked image and a cropped single image (NEF) focused on the tip of the near flower. VERY sharp.

[elsid]

Nice photos Michael. Last Thursday I got my copy of this lens and tried to get acquainted with it. here are some shots.

[Nasos Kosmas]

Nice photos
What do you think about the lens?

[elsid]

Relatively fast AF and accurate. Very sharp. I have not exploited all its tech possibilities yet, but seems to be a very good lens, as most in the S line. The only drawback is that I had to trade in my Df.

[Michael Erlewine]

Another shot with the 70-200mm f/2.8 S

[Erik Lund]

Very nice rendering, looks really good! The transitions and the back ground Bokeh seems to behave very nicely

[Michael Erlewine]

Very nice rendering, looks really good! The transitions and the back ground Bokeh seems to behave very nicely

This lens has the build of the NOCT 0.95 as anyone can see. To my eyes, this lens also is as sharp and perhaps sharper than the Noct95, as well. Of course, it is not as fast and its bokeh as interesting as the Noct.

To me, this new 70-200mm S lens is worth every penny it costs. I have had most all of the earlier 70-200mm f/2.8 and I still have one of those. I use my 70-200mm lenses for family, outdoors, etc., never in the studio. But with the closer focus of this new version, I can see using it the studio as well, especially for projects that have many varying sized subjects. The ability to separate the foreground from the background, so far, is one of its best qualities.

And it is, IMO, way better corrected than any of my earlier version of Nikon’s 70-200mm. There is so little CA, etc. that I can use this in the studio. I have to put it through its paces to see if there is a Gotcha’ in it, and I will.

I am more than just impressed by the IQ of this new lens. I am amazed that Nikon will give us this quality at this price. And the AF is very good and fast.

This is going to be an instant classic, IMO, at least in my world.

[Erik Lund]

Congratulations on the lens! Will be interesting to see outdoor images as well

Several of the new Z lenses are remarkably good -Did you try the 50mm f/1.8 S? I'm thrilled with it, one of the sharpest most well corrected lenses I have ever owned or used. Highly recommended and extremely affordable.

[Michael Erlewine]

Congratulations on the lens! Will be interesting to see outdoor images as well

Several of the new Z lenses are remarkably good -Did you try the 50mm f/1.8 S? I'm thrilled with it, one of the sharpest most well corrected lenses I have ever owned or used. Highly recommended and extremely affordable.

Of course I have the 50mm f/1.8 S. It is wonderful, but IMO this new 70-200m is sharper and seems to have a unique "style" to it. Both are great.

On the other hand, I am not impressed with the Z 24-70mm f/4 lens. Nothing special, IMO.

[Erik Lund]

OK
Yes, count me in as not fan of the 24-70 f/4 S

[Bill De Jager]

On the other hand, I am not impressed with the Z 24-70mm f/4 lens. Nothing special, IMO.

It's really an on-the-go lens for when one needs a compact, lightweight zoom.  As such it's a nice balance of size, weight, quality, and price.  That means that ultimate quality is sacrificed to some extent.  Lenses like that have their place and it's not in the studio.

[Michael Erlewine]

It's really an on-the-go lens for when one needs a compact, lightweight zoom.  As such it's a nice balance of size, weight, quality, and price.  That means that ultimate quality is sacrificed to some extent.  Lenses like that have their place and it's not in the studio.

Agreed, and I have used it for family snapshots, but don't use it anymore, preferring the 50mm S f/1.8. I should sell it.

[ColinM]

Last Thursday I got my copy of this lens and tried to get acquainted with it. here are some shots.

I love the Moth in Flight in your selection Elsid

[elsid]

Thank you Colin for commenting. The speed for this shot was 1/6400 and, still, the wings are not that sharp.

[PeterN]

Seeing the images and reading the initial impressions of this lens, it might be the lens to replace my Zeiss 135mm f2 lens.
Thanks for sharing