Nikon has released the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II, a fast telephoto zoom lens compatible with full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras.
As part of the S-Line series of NIKKOR Z lenses, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II is the lightest telephoto zoom lens in its class with a weight of just 998g, covering the 70 mm to 200 mm range of focal lengths with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8.
Moving components of both the optics and internal mechanisms have been revamped for a reduction in weight of approximately 26 per cent versus that of the current NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (released in August 2020).
The Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM) has been adopted for the AF drive system, with autofocusing approximately 3.5× faster and AF tracking performance with zooming roughly 40 per cent better than that of the current NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.
In addition, the number of lens elements has been reduced by placing aspherical elements and newly adopted Super ED and aspherical ED elements that are effective at correcting chromatic aberration.
Primary features
The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II features the lightest weight in its class (998 g), achieved by modifying the front lens group configuration and eliminating mechanical components in the moving lens groups. This makes the lens easy to carry and reduces the burden on the photographer with hand-held shooting.
The multi-focusing system, for which the Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM) has been adopted for fast, precise, and quiet AF with both still-image and video recording.
The use of six different types of lens elements — Super ED, aspherical ED, ED, aspherical, fluorite, and SR – effectively corrects lens aberrations for clearer and more natural rendering.
The lens supports a minimum focus distance of 0.38 m at the wide-angle end and 0.8 m at the telephoto end. The maximum reproduction ratio is 0.3× at the wide-angle end and 0.25× at the telephoto end, allowing users to get closer to their subjects for dynamic expression.
The first NIKKOR lens to support the use of Arca-Swiss tripod heads smoother tripod mounting and dismounting.
Adoption of Meso Amorphous Coat, which Nikon says offers the best anti-reflection performance in its history, and ARNEO Coat effectively suppresses ghosting and flares, resulting in clear images.
The control ring clicking switch allows users to enable or disable the tactile click for control ring operation,
A removable tripod collar ring enables switching between portrait and landscape orientation, and a protective cover is included for hand-held shooting.
Equipped with a filter adjustment window that allows users to adjust circular polarising and variable ND filters without removing the lens hood.
6.0-stop vibration reduction (VR) performance at the centre and edges of the frame when used with a camera that supports Synchro VR.
The use of the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× or Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0× enables more flexible shooting, even of distant subjects.
The internal zoom mechanism, which maintains a constant lens length when zooming, enables stable zoom operation and contributes to the lens’s dust- and drip-resistant performance