Photography News Issue 66

Photography News | Issue 66 | photographynews.co.uk

First tests

Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 S £2199

Specs

The 24-70mm f/2.8 S is Nikon’s first pro-spec lens for its Z series mirrorless cameras and includes features that’ve been teased, but not yet seen, on existing lenses – namely a display panel and lens function button. The Z series range already includes the 24-70mm f/4 S, though, which came bundled with many Z 6 and Z 7 bodies, and tested very well. The f/4 S is also less than half the price of the f/2.8 S, lighter and smaller, so if you’re a Z series user with the f/4, this new f/2.8 has got its work cut out to be an essential purchase. Mirrorless gear claims to be more compact but at 805g the 24-70mm f/2.8 S has much of the heft of an old- skool pro lens. This isn’t surprising due to the wide maximum aperture and the fact it’s full of high-quality glass, but it’s about 250g lighter than the F mount 24-70mm f/2.8E, so a decent saving. Pair the f/2.8E with the D850 and you’re looking at around 500g over the f/2.8 S and Z 7 combo. The difference is clear. The lens handles well, and feels balanced with the Z 7 we used for testing, so it’ll be the same on the Z 6. Unlike the f/4 S, the f/2.8 S doesn’t retract for travel and storage, but nor does it have internal zooming, as it trombones about 3cm from 24mm to 70mm. It has three control rings with the focus at the front, zoom in the middle and customisable control ring nearest the lens mount. All are well grooved and easy to find. The zoom

Prices

£2199

Format Full-frame Mount Nikon Z

Autofocus Yes with manual override Construction

17 elements in 15 groups Special lens elements 2 ED, 4 aspherical Coatings Nano Crystal and Arneo anti- reflective, plus fluorine front and rear elements Filter size 82mm Aperture range F/2.8 to f/22 Diaphragm Nine blades Internal focus Yes Minimum focus 38cm Focus limiter No Maximummagnification 0.22x Distance scale Yes (digital) Depth-of-field scale Yes (digital) Image stabilizer No (in-camera) Tripod collar No Lens hood Included Weather-sealed Yes Dimensions (dxl) 89x126mm at 24mm Weight 805g Contact nikon.co.uk

Image Nikon’s flagship standard zoom for its Z-series cameras is a class act capable of stunning results

They’re both rubberised, but the L-Fn has a raised edge so it’s easy to tell them apart. L-Fn can be set to 21 options and ‘off’. The OLED screen displays aperture, focal length, and focusing distance, as well as a depth-of-field scale. It’s not the easiest to see in bright light, and with the main focal lengths clearly marked on the barrel, and aperture displayed on the Z 7’s top plate two inches behind, I struggled to find it all that useful. The distance and DoF scale were welcome though. Focus speed is swift, but doesn’t have the same snap as something like Nikon’s 70-200mm f/2.8E. It takes probably 0.25sec to AF from near to far. Closest focusing is 38cm, so about 20cm from the front element, which is not as good as the f/4 S, but plenty close. AF is virtually silent, too, and while there is focus breathing, it’s scarcely noticeable. Optically the lens is amazing. It delivered excellent results wide open in the centre throughout. Understandably this falls away a little in the corners, mainly at the 70mm setting, where balance is achieved around f/8. At wider focal lengths it’s sharper in the corners. Best results were found from f/4 to f/11. Distortion is minimal and easily corrected, and there’s only the slightest sign of fringing. Flare is very well controlled, and vignetting is also minimal, especially compared to the f/2.8E. KS

is a little heavy, but can be pushed through its 3x range with one turn. Switching focus from near to infinity takes two turns, enough for some accuracy when working manually. Themanual focus ring is locked toMF, but the rear ring can be set to work with aperture or exposure comp, and feels a little heavier than on the f/4 S; it sits in a slight recess so isn’t as easily knocked by accident – a positive. The lens’s function (L-Fn) and display buttons sit behind the zoom ring and again both are easy to locate when working through the EVF.

The lens handles well, and feels balanced with the Z 7 we used for testing

24mm

50mm

70mm

F/2.8

F/4

F/5.6

F/8

Verdict

There’s no doubt that the 24- 70mm f/2.8 S is a brilliant lens. It handles well, focuses smartly and though we found the OLED display of limited use, the L-fn button is very welcome. While the f/4 S lens delivered brilliant image quality in a travel-friendly package, the f/2.8 S trumps it. If you’re willing to pay the extra, you won’t be disappointed.

F/11

F/16

F/22

Pros Excellent image quality, build, weather sealing and handling Cons Price, no proper case