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

[Michael Erlewine]

I got [too] many of the Z native lenses at present, but have no intention of getting all of them. Doubling or even tripling options of focal lengths is not my priority these days. I do await the arrival of the Z Micro 105 as soon as it's released, but apart from this optic, no more Z's on my list.

I am also waiting for the Z macro, but the Z 70-200 is amazing, IMO.

[Nikfuson]

A few more shots, all at f/2.8.

[Nikfuson]

Still 2.8.

[Nikfuson]

Another of my most willing model, again full opening.
For full size, click the file lower left.

[Roland Vink]

Beautiful picture. Vignetting seems quite high, is it straight out of the camera/lens, or was it added?

[Nikfuson]

Beautiful picture. Vignetting seems quite high, is it straight out of the camera/lens, or was it added?

Thanks Roland,
vignetting is about the only drawback I can find with this lens. Mostly not an issue for me as the in-camera vignetting control (if turned on) reduces this quite effectively. The other optical qualities means more to me. Besides, I also happen to like vignetting in some of my photos.

[Erik Lund]

Very good image!


I like vignetting, perfectly fine for such lenses, choose another lens type for less vignetting and/or stop down the aperture

[Fons Baerken]

Warning: there appears to be issues with the tripod collar on the 70-200mm f/2.8s; link is from fm,

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1677969

[Akira]

A few more shots, all at f/2.8.

The colors are stunning!  Too good for test shots.

Warning: there appears to be issues with the tripod collar on the 70-200mm f/2.8s; link is from fm,

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1677969

Ilkka is ubiquitous and right.

[Nikfuson]

Warning: there appears to be issues with the tripod collar on the 70-200mm f/2.8s; link is from fm,

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1677969

I carry the lens via the tripod foot...no issues so far.

[Michael Erlewine]

My foot seems secure. I have replaced Nikon's foot with the one from Krik Enterprises witch is Arca Swiss and generally better.

[Nikfuson]

Here is the pincushion effect at 200mm and "infinity" focus.

[Daniel Bliss]

All impressive stuff. Michael, the lighting on your plant photos is just wonderful.

Owning the 70-200 FL, and cross-referencing with tests and reviews, I have to say the "S" looks to me as though it:

1. improves slightly on the FL in the corners at far distance at the 70mm end, and at close distance at the 200mm end
2. Does a little better in general close up and at wide apertures than the FL toward the long end.
3. Focuses closer at the short end, close enough to forget about primes unless macro or you absolutely need the 1.4 or 1.8

In other words the few weaknesses the FL has are corrected. But the FL for me was a very big improvement on the VRII, to say nothing of earlier models.

Presumably the S also shares with the FL the greatly simplified construction, which for the FL yielded for LensRentals a tripling of the average duration between repairs relative to the VRII.

A fair assessment?

[Michael Erlewine]

I'm enjoying the Z system also.

Although I've spent a small fortune on Nikon glass, I'm still not ready to commit to the Noct. f/0.95 just yet.

How would you compare the Z Nikkor 58 f/0.95 Noct. to the Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm f/2 SL?

Curious to read your thoughts.

AS good as the CV125 is, there is no comparison, IMO. The Noct95 is probably the best lens I own, provided you need fast and highly-corrected.

[Michael Erlewine]

I meant compared to the newer, 65mm CV f/2

I have that lens too. Not anywhere close. The 65 is nice, but not compared to either the CV125 of the Noct95...IMO