Nikon Z 24-70mm F2.8 S Review, sample images and full technical review

[@stanmah1588]

I have the 24-120, and I miss extra stop of light, so I went out and got the Z24-70 F2.8S. So glad I did. Heading out to experiment the new Z6iii with my Z24-120 F4 today.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hey Stan, I genuinely don't think you will regret that choice at all. The 24-120 is a great all round lens though. My wish list is a 14- 200mm F2.8 but Nikon just won't listen to me 😂. I would buy that lens in the morning 😉

[@philipsutton2316]

Spot on Kieran. I use it for all my events shoots. They can go for six hours or most of the day. I have this around my neck on one of my Z6ii's and usually my Z35mm 1.8s on the other body on my Black Rapid. They both have a Godox flash on board as well. It sounds heavy, but I can use that kit all day with no worries. However, I did shoot an evening event recently with my Z24mm 1.8s and did notice that the images were even nicer (at 1.8). When I go over my images from the zoom, I notice that 70-80 % of them are taken at 24mm (my favourite focal length). Therefore, I am wondering for my next shoot I may use both primes instead - the 24mm on one body and the Z50mm 1.8s on the other. That 50mm is outstanding and with the faster aperture on both of those primes, I do get better subject separation because of the 1 1/3 faster aperture on the primes. However, I know I will still some of the time defer to the zoom because it is just so good and with my Godox flash for HSS TTL outdoor fill-flash, the images are gorgeous. I get more work than some of the other photographers here in Perth (Western Australia), because I'm the only one who uses fill-flash outdoors for all my work. It makes such a difference and my images really pop and stand out.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Philip, that's exactly it. It's a fantastic all rounder. Hard to beat primes though for that extra stop of light in some cases. The 35mm F1.8 is a cracking lens, I also use that and my 50mm for shooting these videos. The Z range of lenses are truly amazing, we live in a great time for photography gear. Thanks for watching and for the feedback and any photographer that can control light properly will always be busy 😉

[@ian-nz-2000]

An excellent thorough and concise review, thanks. I agree with the other comments regarding the display. I had forgotten my 70-200 had one until I watched this video! I think I looked at it when I first tried the lens in the shop, but never again!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Maybe it's just me so then 🙂, I do shoot a good bit in low light. It's a great lens though and well worth the money. Thanks for the feedback and for watching 👍

[@stephenbodi]

Great review. Before I got my 24-70 2.8s z mount lens, I was using my trusty sigma 24-70 2.8 F mount. It was great workhorse lens, until I replace it with the Z lens. A friend had the 24-70 2.8 Z lens. First time I tested it on my Z6, I understood why the price tag on it was justified. It is now my main workhorse lens. It’s quiet, autofocus is very fast, and the minimal focus breathing makes it great for video work.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Stephan, totally agree with you, it's not cheap but so worth it. It's a long term investment in a stunning lens. I always thought the F mount was good but this lens is just so much better.

[@Mr09260]

I sold mine to upgrade to the more versatile 24-120 F4 S

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Peter, the 24-120 is a great lens, no doubt about that. Fantastic all rounder and great for travel. Always interesting to hear how other people use their gear. Personally I would miss the extra stop of light but we all shoot differently, that's the great thing about photography.

[@leonfisher]

I wish that Nikon offered this lens without the OLED. No idea though if that would lower the price enough for me to afford it. Thanks for the review.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It probably wouldn't drop the price very much Leon. I will say I find it very handy, especially in low light situations. I have been there before and able to afford a lens like that. I would see all this fancy gear and just drool over it constantly. So I know where you are coming from. One day soon fingers crossed 👍

[@leonfisher]

@@kieranhayesphotography Perhaps, if the camera didn't already display it on the top display and doesn't require a button push.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@leonfisher it's the focal length and focusing distance I find handy the aperture as you say isn't as useful as it's on the told display anyway 😉 I am just hoping that with future updates we might be able to see focus memory points on these lenses also. Fingers crossed for that one.

[@stew.c]

Love mine! Stunning lens!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

One of the great all rounders and always in my gear bag.

[@smooney]

I love my 24-70 2.8, coming from an 18-200 F mount, i dont miss the extra range - at least at the moment and had the z lens about 4 months now.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Simon, it is one amazing lens that's for sure. I would say it's one of the best 24-70 F2.8 lenses out there from any brand right now. It is going to go down as an all time classic.

[@smooney]

@@kieranhayesphotography I'm now split between 14-24 or 70-200 for my next purchase

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@smooney ohhhh the 70-200 is an amazing lens but it really does depend on what you shoot. The 14-24 is also really good for Ultra wide angle work though. Tough choice in ways but personally I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on the 70-200 F2.8. It's the sharpest 70-200 I have ever used. With little to no distortion and vignetting. A truly amazing lens.

[@baszonneveld7740]

Like said, an awesome piece of glass! Regards, Bas (AstropiaNL)

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It's something else for a zoom 👍

[@ggdfggdfgdffgfddg34]

Cool video, but still the standard F4 zoom is better, if only because it is smaller!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

The F4 is a good lens but it has its limitations, I would probably go for the 24-120mm F4 over the 24-70 F4 if I had to choose between them. Every lens has its purpose though and for me and for events and commercial shoots I couldn't buy anything else other than the 24-70 F2.8 in that focal range. We all use our equipment differently though and we shoot different genres also so not everyone will want or need the F2.8. I know loads of people that adore the F4 and swear by it.

[@dubsnapper4787]

Quick question for you Kieran, How good is the eye level viewfinder on top tier mirrorless cameras compared to the optical viewfinder on similar level DSLRs, I haven't used any pro spec mirrorless cameras but I used some consumer grade cameras with LCD eye level viewfinders & haven't been impressed with the quality, thanks

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Now that's a very good question, I wasn't a fan of EVFs at first at all I found them hard to use because of delay you would sometimes get in them and the slight stroboscopic effect you got. The pro level EVFs are very good now though. I had a few Z6ii's, I currently have a Z7ii and Z8 and they are really really good now especially the Z8. I prefer it now which is something I thought I would never say. I hope that helps a bit 👍

[@dubsnapper4787]

@@kieranhayesphotography Thanks, I'm in my mid 60s & eyes are not what they once were, I'll have to try the latest mirrorless offerings to evaluate.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@dubsnapper4787 that was initial hesitation also, I spend way too long looking at screens all day I didn't want to be looking at another one. I would miss it now though.

[@wilteduk007]

I love the 24-70 f2.8 S on my Z8, but the weight makes me pick up my 24-120 f4 S more often. The 24-70 f4 is a great lens for the money. Those lens OLED displays are a waste of money IMO.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

In fairness there is no bad Series lens, they are all really good and they definitely all have their purposes, I tend to use the 24-70 F2.8 and have a second body then with the 70-200 on a dual camera harness. It all just goes to show how we all have our own styles and probably also shoot different genres of work then too. Thanks for watching and for the feedback.

[@Lucas-vj8rr]

Best zoomlens ever made

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Exactly, it's an awesome bit of glass.

[@camilo8cheryl]

Wanted to justify getting that lens but in my type of side gig corporate events. I always take group large photos on a 24-120 f4S shooting at f4-6.3 with fill light 2-godox AD200 pro strategically placed in the room.. if i want to up the pace i have a 2nd and 3rd body (older Z6 and Z6ii) that is dedicated for prime day👍 35 1.8S/ 50 1.2S/ 85 1.2S/ and 135 Plena and lastly for reach the 70-200 2.8s

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Ah the 24-70 is a dream to use, like you I shoot events also at times, but I mainly use this lens for on the fashion shoots where I have it on my Z7ii and the 70-200 then on my Z8, it covers everything I need generally speaking. Primes are awesome and have a bunch of them, you can't beat them for light gathering and sharpness though. The point is we all use our gear differently and that's the beauty of photography, there are so many genres to shoot.

[@Fujifilm2021]

This Z24-70 F2.8 is very heavy lens for me even though it is very good lens. I also use Z26mm F2.8 and Z50mm F1.8 for my travel.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Oh those two primes will be a lot easier to carry around and use than the 24-70. I say it balances well as I am used to carrying heavier lenses all day and the weight savings do help a good bit. It's a fantastic but of glass though.