NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is Nikon’s next-generation professional standard zoom, engineered for weddings, events, portraiture, commercial assignments and cinema production. It combines premium S-Line image quality with internal zooming, exceptionally fast autofocus and a significantly lighter design.

Its constant f/2.8 aperture provides dependable low-light capability and depth-of-field control, while an 11-blade diaphragm, improved close focusing and refined video performance give photographers and filmmakers greater creative flexibility.

📸 Key Benefits

• Professional 24-70mm full-frame zoom range

• Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture

• Internal zoom with fixed physical length

• Lightweight 675-gram design

• Premium Nikon S-Line optical performance

• Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor autofocus

• Multi-focusing system

• 11-blade rounded diaphragm

• Close focusing throughout the zoom range

• Maximum reproduction ratio of approximately 0.32x

• Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat

• Customizable lens function buttons

• Separate focus, zoom and control rings

• Click/de-click control-ring operation

• Reduced focus breathing for video

• Standard 77mm filter thread

• Dust- and moisture-resistant construction

🔭 Essential Professional Zoom Range

The lens covers the most frequently used focal lengths for professional photography:

• 24mm: Architecture, interiors, groups and establishing images

• 35mm: Documentary work, events and environmental portraits

• 50mm: Natural perspectives, products and half-length portraits

• 70mm: Portraits, details and tighter compositions

This range allows photographers to respond quickly without changing lenses during important moments.

On a Nikon DX-format camera, it provides an angle of view comparable to approximately 36-105mm on full frame.

🌟 Constant f/2.8 Aperture

The lens maintains its f/2.8 maximum aperture from 24mm through 70mm.

Compared with an f/4 zoom, this additional stop of light provides:

• Faster shutter speeds

• Lower ISO settings

• Shallower depth of field

• Stronger subject separation

• Greater low-light flexibility

• Improved control over ambient light

• Consistent exposure while zooming

The constant aperture is especially valuable for weddings, receptions, performances, corporate events and professional video production.

🔄 Internal Zoom Design

The lens maintains the same physical length as it is zoomed.

Internal zooming provides several benefits:

• Consistent balance on gimbals

• No extending outer barrel

• Improved handling in confined spaces

• Stable balance with large camera bodies

• Reduced movement around front-mounted filters

• Greater resistance to dust and moisture

• More predictable operation during video production

The lens also uses an internal focusing mechanism, so the front filter does not rotate while focusing.

🪶 Exceptionally Lightweight Construction

At approximately 675 grams, Version II is substantially lighter than the original 805-gram NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.

This reduction is noticeable during:

• Full-day weddings

• Extended event coverage

• Travel assignments

• Handheld video production

• Gimbal operation

• Multi-camera work

Despite the lower weight, the lens retains professional S-Line construction and extensive weather resistance.

🔎 Next-Generation S-Line Optics

The optical design contains 14 elements arranged in 10 groups, including specialized ED and aspherical elements.

The lens is designed to deliver:

• High resolution throughout the frame

• Excellent wide-open performance

• Controlled chromatic aberration

• Reduced distortion

• Natural color

• Smooth transitions into defocused areas

• Consistent results throughout the zoom range

Its resolving power makes it an excellent match for high-resolution cameras such as the Nikon Z7II, Z8 and Z9.

✨ Advanced Antireflection Coatings

Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat help suppress reflections from light entering the lens at different angles.

These coatings maintain contrast and color when photographing:

• Backlit portraits

• Wedding receptions

• Concert and stage lighting

• Bright interiors

• Sunsets

• Reflective commercial products

• City lights at night

Effective flare control is especially valuable during professional assignments where the lighting cannot always be repositioned.

🌸 Smooth 11-Blade Bokeh

An 11-blade rounded diaphragm produces a nearly circular aperture opening and smooth out-of-focus rendering.

The additional diaphragm blades improve the appearance of:

• Portrait backgrounds

• Specular highlights

• Wedding lights

• Foliage

• Nighttime city scenes

• Product backgrounds

At 70mm and f/2.8, the lens can provide attractive subject separation while retaining a natural perspective.

⚡ Silky Swift Autofocus

The lens uses Nikon’s Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor technology within a multi-focusing system.

This advanced drive system provides:

• Extremely rapid autofocus

• Precise subject tracking

• Quiet operation

• Reduced vibration

• Smooth focus transitions

• Strong performance during high-speed bursts

• Responsive operation with moving subjects

The lens pairs particularly well with the advanced subject-detection and tracking systems in cameras such as the Nikon Z6III, Z8 and Z9.

🌸 Improved Close Focusing

Minimum focus distance varies according to focal length:

• Approximately 0.24m at 24mm and 28mm

• Approximately 0.27m at 35mm

• Approximately 0.30m at 50mm

• Approximately 0.33m at 70mm

Maximum reproduction reaches approximately 0.32x at 70mm.

This close-focusing capability is useful for:

• Wedding rings and details

• Food

• Flowers

• Commercial products

• Crafts

• Fashion accessories

• Documentary close-ups

It offers a meaningful improvement over the original lens’s approximately 0.22x maximum reproduction.

🎥 Designed for Professional Video

The internal zoom mechanism and fixed balance make Version II especially well suited to professional filmmaking.

Video-oriented benefits include:

• Consistent physical length while zooming

• Stable gimbal balance

• Fast, quiet autofocus

• Reduced focus breathing

• Smooth electromagnetic aperture operation

• Click/de-click control-ring operation

• Constant f/2.8 exposure

• Filter-access window in the supplied hood

• Linear manual-focus response with compatible cameras

The lens is an excellent choice for weddings, documentaries, interviews, commercial productions and narrative filmmaking.

🎛️ Professional Lens Controls

The lens provides direct access to frequently used functions through:

• Manual-focus ring

• Zoom ring

• Customizable control ring

• Customizable lens function buttons

• AF/MF switch

• Control-ring click switch

The control ring can be assigned to functions such as aperture, ISO sensitivity or exposure compensation.

The click switch allows tactile feedback for photography or smooth, quiet operation for video.

🔘 Standard 77mm Filters

Version II uses a 77mm filter thread rather than the original lens’s 82mm thread.

Compatible filters include:

• Circular polarizing filters

• Neutral-density filters

• Variable neutral-density filters

• Protective filters

The supplied hood incorporates a filter-access window, allowing a circular polarizer or variable neutral-density filter to be adjusted without removing the hood.

🛡️ Camera-Based Stabilization

The lens does not contain optical Vibration Reduction. Compatible Nikon Z cameras provide in-body stabilization throughout the zoom range.

This creates a stabilized combination with cameras such as the:

• Nikon Z5II

• Nikon Z6II and Z6III

• Nikon Z7II

• Nikon Z8

• Nikon Z9

• Nikon Zf

Stabilization is valuable for stationary subjects and video, while fast shutter speeds remain important for people in motion, sports and performances.

🌦️ Professional Weather Resistance

The internal zoom mechanism and extensive sealing help resist dust and moisture during demanding assignments.

Fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements help repel water, fingerprints and dirt while simplifying cleaning.

The lens is weather resistant rather than waterproof, and suitable precautions remain necessary in severe conditions.

📐 Important Specifications

• Focal length: 24-70mm

• Maximum aperture: Constant f/2.8

• Minimum aperture: f/22

• Lens construction: 14 elements in 10 groups

• Minimum focus distance: 0.24-0.33m, depending on focal length

• Maximum reproduction ratio: Approximately 0.32x at 70mm

• Diaphragm: 11 rounded blades

• Filter size: 77mm

• Maximum diameter: Approximately 84mm

• Length: Approximately 142mm

• Weight: Approximately 675g

• Zoom design: Internal

👤 Ideal For

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is especially well suited to:

• Professional wedding photographers

• Events and receptions

• Portrait and lifestyle photography

• Commercial and advertising assignments

• Fashion and editorial work

• Photojournalism

• Corporate photography

• Professional video and cinema production

• Gimbal operators

• Hybrid creators who need one premium standard zoom

• Photographers seeking the lightest, most advanced Nikon f/2.8 standard zoom

🆚 Version II vs. Original 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Choose the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II when you prioritize:

• Internal zooming

• Lower weight

• Faster next-generation autofocus

• Improved close focusing

• An 11-blade diaphragm

• Refined video performance

• Better gimbal balance

• A click/de-click control ring

• A filter-access window in the hood

Choose the original 24-70mm f/2.8 S when you value:

• Proven professional performance

• An integrated OLED information display

• Traditional S-Line handling

• Separate manual-focus and control rings

• An 82mm filter system shared with other professional lenses

• A potentially more economical professional option

Both are exceptional S-Line zooms. Version II is the lighter and more video-oriented next-generation design.

🆚 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs. 24-120mm f/4 S

Choose the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II when you prioritize:

• Better low-light performance

• Faster shutter speeds

• Shallower depth of field

• Internal zooming

• Maximum autofocus performance

• Weddings and professional events

• Advanced video production

Choose the 24-120mm f/4 S when you prioritize:

• Greater telephoto reach

• One-lens assignment versatility

• Fewer lens changes

• Travel and documentary work

• A more approachable professional zoom

The 24-70mm emphasizes speed and professional performance, while the 24-120mm emphasizes range.

🆚 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs. 28-75mm f/2.8

Choose the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II when you need:

• Premium S-Line construction

• A wider 24mm field of view

• Internal zooming

• Faster autofocus

• Advanced professional controls

• An 11-blade diaphragm

• Maximum optical and video performance

Choose the 28-75mm f/2.8 when you prioritize:

• Smaller investment

• Compact size

• Lower weight

• Additional reach to 75mm

• A straightforward f/2.8 everyday zoom

The 28-75mm is the approachable compact option, while the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is designed for uncompromising professional use.

📦 In the Box

• NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens

• LC-77B 77mm front lens cap

• LF-N1 rear lens cap

• Bayonet lens hood with filter-access window

• Lens case

• Documentation

🧩 Recommended Kit Pairings

Complete your professional Nikon system with:

• Nikon Z8 or Z9 for flagship-level photography and video

• Nikon Z6III for weddings, events and hybrid production

• NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S for ultra-wide coverage

• NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S-series lens for telephoto coverage

• Fast NIKKOR Z portrait prime

• High-quality 77mm circular polarizing filter

• 77mm variable neutral-density filter

• Professional camera gimbal

• Additional batteries and high-speed memory cards

• Protective professional camera bag or hard case

🏪 Why Buy from Cameragraphics?

Cameragraphics is an authorized Nikon dealer staffed by professional photographers who can help you compare both generations of Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8 S zoom.

We specialize in current mirrorless camera systems and do not stock DSLR products. Our team can help you select the right camera body, filters and complementary lenses for a professional Nikon Z system.

Cameragraphics — Serving Auburn Since 1974.