Intro

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II is a professional telephoto zoom designed for Nikon’s full-frame Z-series mirrorless cameras – and the second lens in Nikon’s line-up of Z-Nikkors to get an update. Its predecessor, the Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S, was announced in January 2020 as one of the trinity of Z-Nikkor zoom lenses with a fast f2.8 focal ratio.

Nikon changed the optical formula of the Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II claiming improved optical performance and no shift in the center of gravity while zooming. They also improved maximum magnification by 50%, made the new lens a bit shorter and a substantial 360g (26%) lighter, added a second customizable L-Fn button, upgraded the focus drive from a stepper motor to a faster voice coil drive, applied their latest meso-amorphous coating, and added two features they just recently introduced with the updated Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II: A lens hood with a window for easier use of rotating filters and a multi-function control ring that can now be set to provide clickable tactile feedback, such as when adjusting the aperture. On top of that Nikon finally made the foot of the detachable tripod collar Arca-Swiss compatible. Bravo! The only features of its predecessor which didn’t make it to the new lens: The OLED display for indicating focal length, aperture, focusing distance and depth-of-field.

The lens is made in Thailand. At 3349 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) / 3197 USD / 2999 GBP the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II is 20-25% more expensive than its predecessor at the time of introduction and costs around three times as much as the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VC VXD G2. So the question is whether the new optical formula and the other improved features makes this Nikon’s best professional 70-200mm zoom to date justifying the not insubstantial markup in price. To find out I tested the newest Z-Nikkor on a Nikon Z8 and had a very close look at its optical qualities – using pixel shift shooting which quadruples the resolution of the camera to 180MP.

Facts and features

Let’s compare the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II to its predecessor (the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 S VR), and the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (“Tamron” for short). As usual I’ve rated the features with a [+] (or [++]), when it’s better than average or even state of the art, a [0] if it’s standard or just average, and [-] if there’s a disadvantage.

Size (diameter x length): 90 x 208mm (3.5 x 8.2in.) plus 60mm for the lens hood (111mm diameter). The predecessor is 89 x 220mm + 56mm lens hood. The Tamron is the shortest, certainly helped by its 20mm shorter focal length and the extending zoom design: It measures 83 x 159mm + 46mm lens hood and extends by 27mm when zoomed in to 180mm focal length. [+]

Weight: 998g (2.2 lb) plus 68g for the plastic lens hood and another 180g for the tripod mount. This is much lighter than the predecessor at 1359g + 63g lens hood + 82g tripod foot. But the Tamron is still lighter at 865g + 50g lens hood. [+]

Optics: 18 elements in 16 groups including one fluorite element, 4 special dispersion and 3 aspherical elements. Both Z-Nikkors use Nikon’s “ARNEO” anti-reflective coating to reduce flare, glare and ghosting but only the new Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II profits from additional Meso-amorphous coating. The predecessor has 21 elements in 18 groups including 10 special dispersion elements and 2 aspherical elements. The Tamron has 20 elements in 15 groups including 4 special dispersion elements and 3 aspherical elements. [+]

Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II (above), Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S (below)

Minimum object distance is 0.37m (1.21ft.) at 70mm focal length and 0.79m (2.59ft.) at 200mm zoom position. Maximum magnification is 1:3.2 at 70mm and 1:3.8 at 200mm. This results in a working distance of 15cm at the short end and 0.57m at the long end. At 200mm focal length a magnification of 1:10 is achieved at 2.02m on the new Z-Nikkor versus 2.04m on its predecessor. The older Z-Nikkor achieves a maximum magnification of 1:4.6 at 200mm focal length and a working distance of 0.72m. The Tamron achieves 1:2.5 at 70mm focal length and 13cm working distance or 1:4.4 at 180mm focal length and 0.64m working distance. [+]

Use with teleconverter: Yes, the Z-Nikkors can use both Nikon teleconverters for Z-mount. The TC-1.4x converts the Z-Nikkors into a 98-280mm f4 zoom, the TC-2.0x into a 140-400mm f5.6 zoom. Minimum object distances stay unchanged but the maximum magnification is increased to 1:2.3 (TC-1.4x) resp. 1:1.6 (TC-2.0x) on the Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II and 1:3.3 resp. 1:2.3 on its predecessor. The Tamron is not compatible with teleconverters. [+]

Filter-thread: Both Z-Nikkors use 77mm filters while the Tamron takes 67mm filters. [+]

Image stabilization: All three lenses in this comparison offer optical stabilization. The body-based stabilization on Nikon’s full-frame Z cameras works in conjunction with the optical stabilization of the lenses to achieve a claimed 6 stops of stabilization over 5 axes for the Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II (measured in compliance with the new CIPA 2024 standards). [+]

Autofocus: All lenses in this comparison offer autofocus with built-in focus drive. But Nikon swapped the stepper motor of the predecessor to a voice coil drive (SSVCM) which they claim is 3.5x faster, 17.5x more precise, “functionally silent”, and has 40% better focus tracking while zooming. Btw: The strong magnetic field from the new drive made Nikon advise you to keep at least 5cm distance from cardiac pacemakers. Tamron also has a voice coil drive. Manual-focus override is by simply turning the dedicated focus ring. The focus ring has the usual variable gearing which allows for very precise manual focus when turned slowly. You can reverse the focus ring direction and switch to linear response with different settings for focus throw in camera. [+]

All lenses in this comparison cover full frame sensors or can equally be used on a cropped DX sensor. The angle of view of a 70-200mm zoom lens is equivalent to a 105-300mm zoom lens on a cropped sensor. The Tamron becomes equivalent to a 105-270mm zoom. [+]

Display: No, the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II does not features the OLED display of its predecessor or some other S-class lenses. Same with the Tamron. [0]

Price: 3349 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) / 3197 USD / 2999 GBP. The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S currently goes for 2339 EUR / 2897 USD / 2379 GBP, the Tamron is at 1099 EUR / 1149 USD / 999 GBP. Prices for Nikon Z teleconverters are: 547 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) / 587 USD / 579 GBP for the TC-1.4x and 599 EUR / 647 USD / 599 GBP for the TC-2.0x. [0]

Both Z-Nikkors come with a flimsy pouch which has no strings to pull it close. So if you put the lens in your bag it might easily slip out of its pouch and bang around unprotected. This is simply unacceptable for a lens costing around 3000 EUR/USD/GBP. The Tamron does not come with a pouch. All lens hoods are reversible for transport. The new Z-Nikkor has a windowed design which allows for easier access to rotating filters like polarizers but puts away with the black velvet coating of its predecessor. [0]

Aperture ring and other control elements: Both Z-Nikkors have a slim multi-function control ring in addition to the dedicated focus ring. The control ring can be assigned to operate the aperture (which is the default), exposure compensation, or ISO sensitivity – or simply switched off. The new Z-Nikkor has a switch on the right side to make the ring clickable for more tactile feedback e.g. when operating the aperture, or smooth which is preferred for adjustments in video. Both Z-Nikkors have 4 L-Fn2 buttons between the zoom-and focus-ring but the new lens now has 2 L-Fn buttons which can be assigned many different functions e.g. AF-lock. This is different from its predecessor which only has one L-Fn button and makes it easier to operate the button when shooting in portrait orientation. There is also a switch to limit focus to infinity-5m. The Tamron has no dedicated multi-function control ring but you can set its focus set button to switch the focus ring to operate the aperture. You can also assign more functions via Tamron’s Lens Utility (TLU) than what the Z-Nikkors have to offer. [+]

Lens profile: All three lenses come with an integrated lens profile which can be controlled from the camera. Vignette control offers the usual options of High, Normal, Low and Off. Diffraction compensation and Auto distortion control can be activated or deactivated – as it is for the predecessor and the Tamron. [+]

Sealing: All lenses in this comparison have a rubber grommet at the lens-mount plus further special weather-sealing throughout the construction. And all three have fluorine coating on the front lens to repel water, dust, and dirt and should make for easier cleaning. [+]

Tripod mount: Both Z-Nikkors have a tripod collar and foot, the Tamron has none. On the new Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II the tripod collar can be completely removed, which saves 180 of weight. On its predecessor only the foot (71g) could be removed. Nikon supplies a “protective cover” (29g) with the new lens which can be installed when the collar is removed. But it is not mandatory to use as it is only for convenient hand-holding, not for protection against the elements. The ring rotates smoothly – when unlocked – and has very little play but misses click-stops at 90 degrees. And finally Nikon made the foot Arca-Swiss compatible including two small threads for security screws to prevent the lens from slipping out of the mount (screws not included). [+]

At a score of 0[-]/2[0]/14[+] the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II is an exceptionally well featured design – albeit at a high asking price. It is much lighter than its predecessor, has a promising new optical formula and sports three features that most other Z-Nikkors miss: A (de-)clickable function ring, a lens hood with a filter window, and an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot. You may miss the OLED display of its predecessor but I think not many users valued this highly.

Three telephoto zoom lenses starting at 70mm

Above from left to right: Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S, Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II (with protective cover), Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 VC G2

Coverage

Both Z-Nikkors have a 2.9x zoom-range while the Tamron only covers 2.6x. Here is the angle of view that the Z-Nikkor covers compared to the Tamron (Distortion control set to On):

Above: Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II coverage on a full-frame camera at 70mm (left) and 200mm (right); click image for 4k version

Above: Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 VC G2 coverage on a full-frame camera at 70mm (left) and 180mm (right); click image for 4k version

If you look closely the Nikon is a bit wider at the short end than the Tamron. The difference is around 4% which is equivalent to 3mm in focal length.

At the long end the difference between a focal length of 200mm versus 180mm is visible but not a big deal: To achieve the same angle of view as a 200mm lens images from the Tamron need a 1.11x crop reducing resolution from 45MP to 37MP – which should not be a problem at all. Below are two shots with the Tamron at 180mm. The first one was shot at the usual test distance, the second one shot from the longer distance which I use for 200mm focal length. I digitally enlarged the second shot 1.11x to match the size of the first shot and used 16 image pixel shift shooting to produce full resolution 180MP images. The crops below are presented at 50% magnification (as if from a 45MP image) but you can click on the images to judge sharpness at 100% magnification.

Above: Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 VC G2 at 180mm f2.8 from 8.1m distance (left), 9.0m distance with 1.11x digital zoom (right); click image for full resolution 100% crops

The loss in acuity from the digital zoom is minimal and hardly a reason to worry about.

Focus and zoom

Focus accuracy and repeatability is critical to consistently produce sharp shots. Repeatability (the accuracy of focus on the same subject after repeated focus-acquisition) of the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II is good at the long end (97.1% measured with Reikan FoCal) with two outliers over a series of 40 shots on the well lit and contrasty focus test target. AF consistency of its predecessor was better (98,1%, one outlier), the Tamron measured 95.9% with four outliers.

On a Z8 and at 200mm focal length the Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II focuses at around 0.32 sec from infinity to 2m (1:10 magnification). The predecessor and the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 took 0.36 sec measured with Reikan FoCal. This is not the 3.5x improvement in focus speed from the voice coil drive which Nikon claims and also falls behind the improvement I measured with Nikon’s Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II (0.13 sec vs. 0.35 sec of its predecessor). I checked with another copy of the lens and also used other test-targets but did not get any faster results.

Another consequence of the new drive technology: When powered down the focus group(s) inside the lens can move freely which leads to a low clunking sound when you shake the lens. But that’s the same with every other voice coil driven lens I tested so far.

The zoom ring has a throw of about 80 degrees and a 34mm wide rubber surface with a good grip. Rotation is well damped and the lens shows no zoom creep. The focus ring is 19mm wide with a rubberized surface. It moves smoothly but was a bit stiff on the first copy of the lens needing some breakaway torque to start turning. On a second copy the focus ring moved as “silky smooth” as I was used to with Z-Nikkors and could easily be operated even with your pinky.

In photo mode AF-operation is inaudible from the outside. If you record video with the built-in microphone the AF-drive and operation of the zoom ring is quiet – until you hit the limits of the zoom range with a “tock”.

As you pull focus, you’ll notice very little focus breathing: The image became 1.7% more magnified when I adjusted focus from infinity to 2m at 200mm focal length. The same test at 70mm focal length produced a 0.6% decrease in magnification.

I also tested whether Nikon’s zoom lens allows you to change the focal length without altering its focus. This characteristic is called parfocal. I focused the lens at 200mm and then slowly zoomed back checking focus on the way. The Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II kept its focus not quite perfectly over the complete zoom-range. See the following 100% crops shot at 105mm f2.8 before and after re-focusing:

So when shooting stills you need to re-focus after changing the focal length and when shooting video you should have continuous AF activated.

Image stabilization

To test the effectiveness of the image stabilization with the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II on a Nikon Z8 camera body, I did a series of 140 test-shots hand-held at 200mm focal length with shutter speeds from 1/200 of a second down to 1/6 sec. I used the shots at 1/200 sec with VR=off as reference of how good my handholding was at the time of the test and Reikan FoCal did the chore of evaluating the sharpness of all shots.

Here’s the results: With VR=on the combined stabilization from lens and camera produced only one strong and three mild outliers in the 80 shots from 1/200 down to 1/25 sec (3 stops) but the rest was clearly better than the sharpness at 1/200 sec with VR=off. At 1/12 sec (4 stops) three out of 20 shots were strong and another three mild outliers. And at 1/6 sec results became pretty erratic matching the results at 1/200 sec with VR=off. I’d rate this as 5 stops of stabilizing power but wouldn’t go beyond 3 stops (i.e. 1/25 sec at 200mm focal length) to be on the safe side for handholding the lens when you cannot support your back or arms. This is pretty good although below Nikon’s claim of 6 stops.

Under the same test conditions results from the Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S were even a bit better. But the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 achieved only 3 stops of stabilizing power and I would even try to avoid shutter speeds lower than 1/80 sec at the long end.

Next check out my quality results!

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