Photography News 83 Web

First test

Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S PRICE: £2399 NIKON.CO.UK

Nikon is quickly building up its lens system for Z series mirrorless cameras. Here, we test its telephoto trinity zoom, the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

SPECS › Price £2399

› In the box Front cap, rear cap, HB-92 lens hood, CL-C3 lens case › Format Full-frame, APS-C › Mount Nikon Z › Autofocus Yes, internal AF › Construction 21 elements in 18 groups › Special lens elements 6x ED, 2x aspherical, 1x fluorite, 1x SR element › Coatings Nano crystal, ARNEO coatings. Front element › Aperture range F/2.8-22 › Diaphragm Nine blades › Internal focus Yes › Manual focus Yes › Minimum focus Variable from 50cm at 70mm to 100cm at 200mm › Focus limiter No › Maximummagnification 0.2x › Distance scale Yes, OLED read-out › Depth-of-field scale Yes, OLED read-out › Image stabiliser Yes, Nikon Vibration Reduction lens shift using voice coil motors › Tripod collar Yes › Weather sealed Yes › Other features 2x lens function buttons, manual focus ring can be set to other functions via the camera › Dimensions (dxl) 89x220mm › Weight 1440g is fluorine-coated › Filter size 77mm

A FAST APERTURE telezoom is a signature lens in any brand’s range, often representing a statement of intent, so the arrival of this lens in Nikon’s mirrorless system has been much anticipated. If you thought going mirrorless was going to save you bulk and weight, you’d be wrong. The Z 70-200mm f/2.8 is a substantial lens, actually longer and 10g heavier than the equivalent lens for F-mount DSLR cameras. Mounted on the Z 7, it’s very much the senior partner, but that’s not to say handling was poor, because that wasn’t the case. Once I got used to the lens’s heft, I thought the Z 7

and 70-200mm duo handled very well together. If I had any handling issue, it was with the lens function ring, which can be set up as an aperture ring, among other functions, but, being close to the body, it wasn’t so easy to get at. I also think Nikon should follow the lead taken by other brands and make the tripod collar foot Arca-Swiss plate compatible. Overall handling was sound with a smooth zoom barrel, the two lens function buttons were great to use and the OLED display showing focal length, focusing distance and depth-of-field was excellent. Autofocusing was responsive,

silent and accurate and the VR, working in company with the Z 7’s in-body system, proved very effective. I was getting consistently pin-sharp outdoor shots at 1/10sec, which is impressive. Optically, this lens turned in a powerful performance, giving excellent sharpness throughout the focal length range, notably at the wider/mid apertures. Flare resistance was very good, too, and I had no issues shooting sunsets, for example. At 70mm, the lens started off brightly with crisp, high-contrast and very

detailed images, especially at the centre, with the edges only a little behind. The peak was f/5.6 and f/8 and quality started to drift downwards from f/11 onwards, and by f/22 pictures were quite soft. It was a very similar pattern of performance at 100mm and 200mm, although I think the longer focal lengths did not match the shorter settings for overall sharpness and f/22 was quite soft throughout. Shoot at f/4 or f/5.6 at any focal length, however, and I think even the most critical user will be more than content. WC

ONTEST

70mm

135mm

200mm

ABOVE The Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S was impressive at recording the finest detail in a scene. At 93mm, the exposure was 1/90sec at f/8 and ISO 100

F/2.8

ABOVE A wide range of ports is provided on the SW321C. Elsewhere, there’s another two USB-A ports and an SD card slot RIGHT The on-screen display is easy to navigate using the buttons or with the supplied USB connected hotkey puck F/4 F/4 F/4

F/4

F/5.6

ABOVE Despite its weight and bulk, the lens’s image stabiliser, in concert with the Z 7’s in-body image stabiliser, worked well. This was shot with the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 at 140mm on a Z 7 with IS on, with a shutter speed of 1/10sec at f/22

F/8

PROS Optical quality at fast/mid apertures, function options, OLED read-out is cool, autofocusing CONS Tripod foot being Arca-Swiss compatible would be nice, it’s a substantial lens, access to the manual focus ring could be better Verdict The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a top-end lens, in price and in performance. But if you’re a (or an aspiring) Z series owner and want the best-performing fast aperture telezoom money can buy, then this lens is very likely to be it. It’s expensive, but you can be rest assured that you won’t be disappointed.

F/11

F/16

F/22

70 Photography News | Issue 83

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