Nikon introduces its new workhorse king, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II.
I’m lazy. I realize this is just a product announcement and not a therapy session. But I open this article with that admission because it should explain why, despite having an entire range of primes and zooms collecting dust in my kit, the only lens I really ever shoot with is the 24-70mm f/2.8.
Of course, that’s a slight exaggeration. But only slight. And, truthfully, it's not that I’m lazy. I’m just practical. And the 24-70mm zoom range fits just about 99.9% of what I like to shoot. Plus f/2.8 is more than enough aperture for me in all but the most specific situations where extreme low light or an overabundance of need for bokeh come into the equation.
The smaller profile of the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S vs. the F-mount versions is one of the biggest benefits I’ve found since my switch to mirrorless. It’s lighter, balances better, and gives me even more reason to leave it on my Nikon body full-time.
Well, apparently, Nikon has grown tired of my complacency and has sought to shake things up by announcing the brand-new Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. An upgrade to the original, this model includes things such as a first-in-its-class internal zoom mechanism, Silky Swift VCM motors that Nikon claims achieve the fastest autofocus in company history (5x faster than the previous model), and a newly developed 11-blade diaphragm system for more circular bokeh, all while coming in at a lightest-in-its-class 675 grams.
Like all recent Nikon lenses, they’ve kept video in mind by reducing focus breathing. And a new control ring allows you to adjust between click or clickless, depending on your preference, with the flip of a switch. Minimum focus distance is 24 cm at the wide end. And the lens hood has one of my favorite features, a retractable window that makes it easier when needed to adjust things like variable ND filters.
The new lens is expected to hit shelves mid-September and retail for $2,799.95. So what do you think? Will this be your new workhorse?
As the happy owner of the 24-120 f/4, I'm gonna pass on this one.
Pros:
- internal zoom
Cons:
- more expensive
- 77mm
200g less in weight does not interest me in the slightest.
The internal zoom is definitely positive but going back to 77mm after all my primes and the original z24-70 are 82mm is a step backwards concerning all the 82mm filters I have standardized on.
The change in quality from the last F mount 24-70 2.8 to the Z mount 24-70 2.8 mk1 was enough to make me happy and keep it as-is. The price increase is nikon gouging their customers... again... the same trick they used with the z35 1.2 which is a great lens that i also own.
I am happy with all my Z mount glass as-is (trilogy + 35/85/135 primes) so I am waiting to see if they offer a 24-70 2.0, 35-150 2.0 or update the 200 2.0... for those lens I would shell out serious money but not ~2800 euro for this mk2 lens.
Imo the best part of this news is that it means the first gen one is now gonna plummet in price on the used market. ;)