Verdict

With this second iteration of their standard f2.8 zoom lens, Nikon updated the optical formula to an internal zoom design that eliminates focus breathing, offers 50% greater magnification, improves FX-corner resolution, and enhances weather sealing. The lens is perfectly parfocal and maintains its optical center (nodal point) throughout zooming – a valuable feature for panoramic photography. Nikon equipped the lens with a 3x faster voice coil focus drive, added a second focus set button, and included a focus limiter. The Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II also introduces two features new to Z-Nikkors: a lens hood window for easier manipulation of rotating filters and a multi-function control ring that can be set to clickable mode for better tactile feedback and reduced chance of accidental adjustments.

Optically, the Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II delivers very good sharpness across the full frame throughout its zoom range, with only a slight softening at the telephoto end. Its Bokeh is nice and smooth and the new optical formula exhibits only minimal color aberrations, focus shift, or coma. It also offers strong resistance to flare, veiling glare, and ghosting, allowing confident shooting in challenging backlit conditions. Close-up performance is usable near the center, with stopping down helping to expand the area of good resolution.

What’s not to like, apart from the high price? Well, my copy of the lens was a bit less sharp at the DX-corner than its predecessor (and what the MTF-chart suggests). And consistency of autofocus could be better at the long end, especially when coming from a closer distance. Oh, and did I mention the flimsy lens pouch?

Let’s put this into perspective and have a closer look at how the Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II compares to some alternatives.

Two zoom lenses starting at 24mm

Above: Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II (left), Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S (right)

Compared to Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S

Even six years after its introduction the Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S is still a top performer. It’s even a tad sharper than its successor in the DX image-circle, features a nice OLED display, and current street prices make it 20-25% cheaper. But regarding coma, FX-corner resolution, Bokeh, flare/glare resistance, and focus speed the new Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II is better. The second generation also is 123g lighter, features a second L-Fn button, a (de-)clickable function ring, a focus limiter, a windowed lens hood, is perfectly parfocal, and does not shift its nodal point.

For more details see my Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III G2

Tamron’s 28-75mm f2.8 Di III G2 is smaller, 126g lighter, and 70% cheaper than Nikon’s new standard zoom lens. And Tamron didn’t skimp on features: The lens is fully weather sealed and has a focus set button plus USB-C port to make the lens highly configurable via computer and their Lens Utility software. Optically the Tamron is pretty close to the Z-Nikkors except for close-up performance and Bokeh. And you might ponder whether 28mm is wide enough for your purposes. But other than that the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III G2 is a compelling standard zoom with a very attractive price-performance ratio.

For more details see my Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III G2 review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Compared to Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S

Putting Nikon’s Z 24-120mm f4 S against their new Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II is certainly not an apples-to-apples comparison although both lenses are of similar size and weight: The former has a 70% longer reach while the latter has a one stop brighter focal ratio. Still it’s interesting to see optical performance of the Z 24-120mm f4 S pretty close to Nikon’s new standard zoom lens (at f4.0). The 24-120mm zoom certainly misses out on many of the nifty features of Nikon’s Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II but then it costs only a third. But obviously both lenses are for different intents and purposes: While the Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II is the workhorse for professionals, the Z 24-120mm f4 S is a very good prosumer convenience zoom.

For more details see my Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S review where the lens came Highly Recommended.

Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II final verdict

Nikon equipped their new Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II with an impressive set of features, two of which are even unique to any Z-Nikkor: a (de-)clickable function ring and a lens hood with a window for easier manipulation of rotating filters. Equally impressive is the new voice coil AF-drive which is 3x faster than before. The new lens also removes focus breathing, increases maximum magnification by 50%, improves FX-corner sharpness, and enhances weather sealing. It is perfectly parfocal and keeps its optical center during zooming, which benefits panoramic shots. The Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II delivers sharp images across the frame with a slight softening at 70mm, has a smooth bokeh, minimal color aberrations, and strong flare resistance. But the lens comes at a high price, is slightly less sharp at the DX-corners compared to its predecessor (at least my copy), and shows some mixed AF consistency at the long end.

All-in-all I can still highly recommend Nikon’s new Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II.

Good points:

• Very good sharpness across the full-frame sensor with a slight softening at the long end.
• Nice Bokeh.
• Very fast AF operation with zero focus breathing.
• Very good resistance against flare, (veiling) glare, and ghosting.
• Practically no color aberrations or purple fringing.
• Distortions are well corrected (through lens-profile).
• Lens is parfocal and does not shift its nodal point.
• Lighter than predecessor.
• Extensive weather sealing plus fluorine coating against moist and dust.
• Two focus set buttons, focus limiter, (de-)clickable function ring, lens hood with window.

Bad points:

• High price.
• Performance at the DX-corners could be better.
• Close-up shots are soft outside the center.
• Mixed AF consistency at the long end.
• Flimsy lens pouch.

Check prices on the Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S II at B&H, Adorama, WEX UK or Calumet.de. Buy used gear from MPB. Sell your used gear to MPB. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book, an official Cameralabs T-shirt or mug, or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!