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PrintTelephoto Zoom Optimized
Chasing a lighter, smaller design, faster autofocus, and improved image quality, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II is an update to the workhorse telephoto zoom of the pros, featuring optical and external refinements that make it easier to use and a better all-around performer for multimedia creators working in event, portraiture, landscape, and sports scenarios.
Nikon's Lightest 70-200mm f/2.8
Rendering the lens more usable in more situations, a revised optical design gives way to Nikon's lightest 70-200mm f/2.8 lens ever. This version II lens is 0.5" shorter and weighs 26% less than the previous generation.
This version II lens weighs 2.2 lb without the foot or protective cover attached, which is noticeably lighter than the 3 lb weight of the former generation. When the protective cover is installed, the lens weighs 2.3 lb; when the tripod foot is installed, it weighs 2.6 lb.
When paired with the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens, the combined total weight savings is over 1 lb compared to the first-generation zooms.
A number of changes to the optical design have contributed to an impressive 12.7 oz weight reduction compared to the previous version: three elements have been removed from the design, more aspherical elements have been used, some glass elements have been "thinned", the front group now has a convex-first configuration, and there are fewer moving lens groups.
Revised design also leads to a shorter overall length of 8.2", which is 0.5" shorter than the 8.7" length of the version I lens.
S-Line Optics
In addition to benefitting the size and weight of the lens, the updated optical design also realizes improved image quality, higher resolution, better flare resistance, and smoother bokeh.
Revised optical design features one extra-low dispersion (ED) element, one Super ED element, two aspherical elements, one aspherical ED element, one fluorite element, and one short-wavelength refractive (SR) element; these specialized elements limit various aberrations and color fringing for high sharpness and color accuracy.
Improved optical design is also inherently more flare-resistant for stronger contrast when working in bright lighting conditions.
Special attention has also been given to bokeh rendering, with an emphasis on producing smooth and natural transitions between in- and out-of-focus regions for a more three-dimensional look. Aspherical element manufacturing has been improved for a smoother look, and the lens also now has 11 rounded diaphragm blades for a more rounded bokeh appearance.
Minimum focusing distance has also been shortened compared to the previous generation—1.25' at the 70mm position and 2.6' at the 200mm position, with a 0.3x maximum magnification at the minimum focusing distance from the 70mm position.
Refined Anti-Glare Coatings
Nikon's Meso Amorphous Coat offers the greatest anti-reflective performance from a NIKKOR lens and outperforms the Nano Crystal Coat in regard to diagonal incident light and matches the performance of the ARNEO Coat for vertical incident light.
ARNEO Coat has still been applied for even more well-rounded anti-glare protection from all angles, and help to suppress ghosting, reflections, and flare for higher contrast and more accurate color response when working in strong lighting and backlit conditions.
Silky Swift VCM Autofocus
The Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (VCM) uses magnets instead of gears to move the focusing groups at higher initials speeds and with greater accuracy and smoothness. A guide bar is also employed, which helps reduce focusing vibrations for greater continuous focusing speeds.
This focusing system is 3.5x faster than the previous 70-200mm f/2.8, with 40% better focusing tracking while zooming, 17.5x more precise, and notably quieter than an STM motor.
Benefitting video use, the Silky Swift VCM is also especially quiet and the multi-focusing system also greatly reduces focus breathing for greater compositional accuracy when racking focus.
Full-time manual focus override is also possible and an internal focusing design is used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds.
Professional Durability and Intuitive Handling
Built for professional use in virtually any situation, the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II is especially durable and reliable even with its emphasis on a smaller, lighter weight design that makes it easier to use over the course of an entire day.
Improved Vibration Reduction (VR) system compensates for 6 stops of camera shake for sharper imagery when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds.
Internal zoom and internal focus designs maintain a consistent overall length for more natural handling.
Advanced weather sealing helps prevent dust and moisture ingress and the front element features a fluorine coating that repels dust, moisture, and makes it easier to clean.
Dedicated focus and zoom rings for direct control pair with a customizable Control Ring, which can be assigned to adjust other shooting settings, including aperture, exposure compensation, and ISO.
Control Ring now features a configurable click; an on/off switch changes the tactile feel of the ring depending on shooting style, with the option to have a prominent click when changing settings or smooth, silent rotation to limit unwanted noise and vibration.
Two L-Fn buttons are featured on the lens barrel—one on top, one on the left side—and can be set to configure subject tracking, AF lock, image playback, or other modes.
Both a protective cover bayonet sleeve and a tripod foot are included—the protective cover is a lighter weight cosmetic covering designed for use when shooting handheld whereas the tripod foot is a stable mounting point and incorporates a rotating design for seamless switching between horizontal and vertical shooting positions.
Tripod foot has been redesigned to incorporate an Arca-type dovetail design, making it directly compatible with a wide variety of tripod heads.
Included HB-119 Lens Hood incorporates a filter adjustment window, which enables easy adjustment of rotating filter types, such as variable ND and polarizing filters.
Compatible with optional Nikon Z-series teleconverters, which can extend the effective focal length ranges to 98-280mm with the 1.4x teleconverter and 140-400mm with the 2x teleconverter.