Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II Lens

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II advances one of Nikon’s Pro Zoom Trinity telephoto lenses with improved sharpness, speed, and portability over the previous generation. A redesigned S-Line optical formula with dual-sided aspherical, Super ED, and SR elements enhances resolution and aberration control, while the revised AF system and new Silky Swift VCM deliver faster, quieter autofocus for both stills and video recording. At 998g with an internal-zoom design, it maintains stable balance for extended handheld or support-based telephoto work.

Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II Lens Key Features:

• Second-generation Nikon Pro Zoom Trinity lens for Nikon Z-Mount cameras
• Part of Nikon’s high-end S-line for superior build and optics
• 70-200mm zoom range with a constant f2.8 aperture throughout
• Updated 11-blade aperture diaphragm for smoother bokeh
• Silky Swift VCM autofocus with 3.5x faster drive speed
• Quieter AF operation with more accurate focus tracking while zooming
• 6-stop in-lens Vibration Reduction for more robust image stabilisation
• Internal zoom design maintains a constant centre of gravity
• Redesigned optics featuring 18 elements in 16 groups
• Two dual-sided aspherical elements reduce coma and spherical aberration
• Super ED and SR glass suppress chromatic aberration and fringing
• Meso Amorphous, ARNEO, and Super Integrated coatings reduce flare
• Minimum focus distance of 0.38m at 70mm and 0.8m at 200mm
• Assignable L-Fn buttons and tactile de-clickable control ring
• Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot with removable collar
• Weather sealing protects the lens from dust and moisture
• Lighter weight at just 998g for improved balance and handling
• Engineered for wildlife, sports, and portrait telephoto stills and video

What’s new?

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II replaces the first-generation model with a redesigned optical formula and the new Silky Swift VCM autofocus motor. The updated drive system delivers 3.5x faster autofocus, reduces scan time by 4% at 200mm, operates 50% quieter, and improves focus-tracking accuracy by 40% during zoom transitions. Two dual-sided aspherical elements, along with Super ED and SR glass, further refine aberration control in the S-Line design.

The lens is now 26% lighter at 998g without the tripod collar, down from 1360g, and 12mm shorter at approximately 90 x 208mm rather than 89 x 220mm. Internal zoom keeps the centre of gravity stable, eliminating the need to rebalance gimbals during focal length changes and preventing front-heavy shifts when accessories are attached. For improved handling, a new hood with a filter window eliminates the need to remove the hood when using rotating filters. These updates mark a significant operational refinement within Nikon’s S-Line telephoto range.

Refined optical design and coatings

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II lens’s all-new optical formula featuring 18 elements in 16 groups incorporates dual-sided aspherical elements to correct sagittal coma and spherical aberration. These surfaces shape light paths more accurately across the frame, which maintains resolution consistency from centre to edge at wide apertures. The addition of Super ED and SR glass elements counters axial and lateral chromatic aberration, reducing colour fringing in high-contrast scenes and maintaining natural skin tones in portrait work.

Nikon’s Meso anti-reflective Amorphous Coat suppresses incidental light entering from multiple angles for control over ghosting and flare. ARNEO and Super Integrated coatings further reduce ghosting and flare when bright sources appear within the frame. Together, these coatings maintain contrast integrity in backlit compositions and direct-light telephoto scenes.

Autofocus and focus control

The introduction of the Silky Swift VCM motor drives Nikon’s multi-focusing system with significantly higher speed. The 3.5x increase in autofocus performance on the new generation reduces acquisition time on distant subjects, while the reduction in scan time at 200mm improves responsiveness during long-end framing. Less operational noise supports discreet photo capture and smoother audio during video recording.

Focus breathing is minimised thanks to the updated optical design, reducing changes in angle of view during focus pulls and maintaining consistent framing during controlled transitions during video recording. A focus-limit switch allows restriction from five metres to infinity, shortening focus travel and accelerating autofocus response for distant subjects.

Vibration Reduction and stability

For more robust image stabilisation, an integrated 6-stop Vibration Reduction system compensates for pitch and yaw movement. This correction stabilises the projected image onto the sensor, enabling slower shutter speeds without compromising sharpness during handheld telephoto work. When shooting at longer focal lengths, this stabilisation directly reduces micro-blur caused by amplified movement. Synchro VR offers enhanced stability at the centre and edges of the frame with compatible Z-mount cameras.

For improved stability compared to the previous generation, internal zoom maintains a fixed barrel length to keep the centre of gravity constant, preserving balance on monopods, tripods, and gimbals. The internal zoom design also ensures front-mounted accessories remain aligned during zooming, eliminating positional shifts that could affect framing or balance.

Close focus and magnification

For sharp close-ups, the lens focuses as close as 0.38m at 70mm and 0.8m at 200mm, and maximum magnification reaches 0.25x at 70mm and 0.3x at 200mm. This optical configuration allows tighter framing of detail without switching lenses, supporting close telephoto compositions for portraits, nature detail, and product isolation.

Handling and construction

Weighing 998g without the tripod collar, the lens achieves a 26% weight reduction compared to its predecessor, making it the lightest in its class. The shorter barrel improves portability and ergonomics while reducing forward leverage on camera mounts during extended handheld use. The barrel is weather sealed against dust and moisture for light outdoor use, and a fluorine coating on the front element simplifies cleaning by repelling water and oil.

A new Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot integrates directly into the collar for rapid mounting on tripods and gimbals. The removable tripod collar attaches via a bayonet mechanism for secure positioning. Assignable L-Fn buttons are positioned for both horizontal and vertical shooting orientations, while the de-clickable control ring allows tactile stepped, or smooth and silent adjustment depending on use.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II Lens
• 1 x Lens Hood HB-119
• 1 x Lens Cap LC-77B
• 1 x Rear Cap LF-N1
• 1 x Lens Case CL-C3

FAQs:

Is the Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II compatible with teleconverters?

Yes. The lens is compatible with Nikon Z teleconverters. Using the Nikon 1.4x Teleconverter extends the focal range to 280mm, and the Nikon 2x Teleconverter extends it to 400mm. Autofocus and Vibration Reduction continue to operate, enabling extended reach while maintaining consistent operation.

How does the internal zoom design benefit video work?

The internal zoom mechanism keeps the barrel length constant, which maintains the centre of gravity during focal length changes. The design prevents gimbal recalibration and keeps matte boxes or variable ND filters in position. The result is smoother operation during live focal transitions.

Can I use filters with this lens?

The lens features a 77mm front filter thread for compatible screw-in filters such as neutral density, circular polarising, and protective filters. Because the lens uses an internal zoom design, the barrel length remains constant during focal length changes, keeping attached filters and matte boxes securely aligned. The supplied lens hood features a filter adjustment window, allowing you to rotate circular polarising or variable ND filters without removing the hood.

Does the lens minimise focus breathing?

Yes. The optical design reduces changes in angle of view during focus adjustments, minimising focus breathing. The lens maintains consistent framing when pulling focus between subjects, which is particularly useful in controlled video sequences.

Is the tripod foot compatible with Arca-Swiss clamps?

Yes. The integrated tripod foot supports both screw-type mounts and Arca-Swiss clamps, allowing direct mounting to compatible tripod heads without an additional plate for quick setup changes.

Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II Lens - Sample Images