The Best All-Around Nikon Z Lens: The 24-70mm f/2.8 S
- The Versatility of This Nikon Z lens
- The Image Quality Produced By This Nikon Z lens
- The Autofocus System of This Nikon Z lens
- The Constant Maximum Aperture of This Nikon Z lens
- The Build Quality of This Nikon Z lens
- Final Thoughts on the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens
- Lens Type: Standard-Length Zoom Lens
- Camera System: Full-Frame
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
- Focal Length: 24-70 mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 38 cm
- Filter Size: 82 mm
- Focusing system: Autofocus & Manual Focus
- Maximum Magnification: 0.22x
- Size/Weight: 89 x 126 mm / 805 grams
- Optical Image Stabilization: No
- Used Price: $1,879 - $1,979
If you are a Nikon photographer searching for the “one lens to rule them all” (shoutout to all our Lord of the Rings fans out there!), look no further than the powerful Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Since its release in 2019, year after year it’s consistently ranked as one of Nikon’s most sold lenses, let’s find out why!
In this Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S review, we’ll discuss five reasons it’s the best all-around Nikon Z lens available today. From its build quality and image quality to its versatility and autofocus, it really is the complete package. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying used Nikon Z mount lenses has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and innovative photography company offering high-quality used photo and video gear at affordable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by expert product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We love MPB because of its one-of-a-kind online platform for photographers. It’s a remarkable tool that has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years, and we firmly believe it can do the same for you. Now, it’s time to dive in and discover everything there is to know about this amazing Nikon Z lens!
Check out the video above by Leigh & Raymond Photography to learn more about the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.
Table of Contents
The Versatility of This Nikon Z lens
Regardless of the type of photography (or video) you like to shoot, the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S can do it with flying colors. Its versatile focal range of 24-70mm (36-105mm on APS-C cameras like the Nikon Z fc) excels at dramatic wide-angle landscape shots, tightly cropped portraits, and everything in between.
Furthermore, this Nikon Z lens is smaller and lighter than most other zoom and telephoto lenses. Its compact and portable size makes it a popular lens for travel, adventure, and street photography.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens:
The Image Quality Produced By This Nikon Z lens
Many new photographers think the only thing that matters in photography is the camera body, but that could not be further from the truth. You also need good lenses and sufficient photography knowledge to produce the highest-quality photos and videos. That’s where the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S comes in!
Its 17 lens elements, including four aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements, consistently deliver stunning content. The spherical elements reduce spherical aberrations and distortion, while the dispersion elements reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing. The one feature we hope to see in future iterations is image stabilization.
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The Autofocus System of This Nikon Z lens
The autofocus (AF) on Nikon Z lenses has made giant strides over the past ten years, which is extremely apparent when working with the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Its multi-focus AF system utilizes two drive units that work in unison to make it fast, smooth, reliable, and quiet. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, capturing sharp, in-focus images has never been easier.
That said, if you want complete control over the focus, you can quickly switch to manual focus using the toggle on the side of the Nikon Z lens. While we typically recommend sticking with AF, manual focus can be useful when shooting static subjects, like landscapes, architecture, and astrophotography.
The Constant Maximum Aperture of This Nikon Z lens
Zoom lenses with a constant maximum aperture, such as the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, will always be preferred over those with a variable aperture. Reasons for this include their better low-light capabilities across the entire focal range and more control over depth of field when you zoom the lens in on a subject.
The enhanced low-light performance of this Nikon Z lens helps when working at night, at sunrise/sunset, and indoors. For example, its higher aperture means more light will reach your camera sensor at the same ISO, producing sharper images with less noise. At the same time, the f/2.8 aperture creates beautiful bokeh effects, ideal for portraits and product photography.
The Build Quality of This Nikon Z lens
The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is also an incredibly well-built, durable lens. Internally, it boasts premium-quality glass and lens elements. On top of that, the lens elements have special Arneo and Nano Crystal coats that boost images' clarity and contrast while preventing ghosting, flares, and reflections.
On the outside of this Nikon Z lens, you will find a programmable control ring, a customizable L-Fn button, and an OLED display screen. These trailblazing features make adjusting and viewing lens settings simple and speed up productivity. If that wasn’t enough, the lens is also environmentally sealed to protect it from water, moisture, sand, dust, etc.
Final Thoughts on the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Lens
As you can see, the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is a do-it-all lens that deserves a place in every Nikon photographer and videographer’s camera kit. Moreover, its price has never been lower, making it a great option for people looking to maximize the value of their hard-earned money!
Finally, here’s a list of our favorite Nikon Z mirrorless cameras to pair with this best Nikon Z lens. All of them are on sale now at MPB for unbeatable prices.
Disclaimer: Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
