Two new members have been added to the Nikon collection of lenses – NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S and AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 FL ED SR VR. Both are powerful telephoto zoom lenses announced just in time for the 2020 Olympics.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
One of them, the new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens is a telephoto zoom lens. It’s a pivotal Z-series lens as it’s the first full-frame Z lens to come with built-in stabilization. It’s designed for Pro users that cover news and live-action, weddings, events, wildlife, and even portraits.
In addition to its fast f/2.8 constant aperture, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens features a built-in optical VR image stabilization system with five stops. This optical VR system combines with a Z-series camera’s in-body stabilization to provide “unparalleled stability.”
The lens has a newly developed type of lens element called the SR (Short-Wavelength Refractive) element. This is the first gear from Nikon to use this SR element.
According to Nikon, the glass lens has specialized-dispersion characteristics that greatly refract short-wavelength lights (wavelengths shorter than that of blue). And by controlling short-wavelength light, the lens can collect light of other specific wavelengths more efficiently and achieve a super precise chromatic aberration compensation.
When it comes to videos, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens features a stepping motor (STM) that ensures quiet autofocus as well as a reduced focus breathing. It has a 1.64ft (0.5m) minimum focus distance on the wide end and 3.28ft (1m) on the telephoto side. Its parfocal support ensures a fixed focus during zooming.
It combines Anti-Reflective Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings to ensure image quality, and Fluorine coating to protect against dirt/smudge. It features nine-bladed aperture, a dedicated Info Panel, two customizable Function buttons, a custom control ring all in a rugged weather-sealed design.
Here are some official sample photos that were taken with the new lens.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 FL ED SR VR
The second lens announced by Nikon is the AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 FL ED SR VR. This F-mount monster telephoto lens is designed to deliver fast maximum aperture, reach, and versatility for Pro sports and wildlife photographers.
The new lens combines an extensive focal range of 120-300mm with a constant f/2.8 aperture such that a professional photographer need not carry multiple lenses around. According to Nikon, the lens offers AF performance, image quality, and bokeh that’s similar to those of a prime lens.
While other fast telephoto prime lenses are a bit restrictive due to their fixed magnification, the AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 has a 2.5x zoom range that brings flexibility to the table. This kind of flexibility makes it one of the best lenses for sports photographers whose subjects are always on the move.
The NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8 is fit with a reliable weather-sealed construction to handle any shooting scenario and deliver sharp quality images across a wide range of focal lengths. The new NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8 is designed to work well with Nikon’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters to give the quality of 168-420mm f/4 lens or 240-600mm f/5.6 respectively.
The AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 FL ED SR VR is equipped with 25 optical elements arranged in 19 groups. Among the 25 elements are a new SR (short wavelength spectrum) element and one ED element to minimize chromatic aberration.
A combination of Nikon’s Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings is used to control flare and internal reflections, and a fluorine coat for repelling moisture, grease, dust, and dirt. Two of its elements also have fluorine coatings.
Inside this new lens is a four-stop Vibration Reduction (VR) system that has a Sport VR mode to stabilize shots of fast-moving subjects. There’s also SWM autofocus, four focus function buttons, a minimum focus distance of 6.56ft (2m) across the zoom range, and an electromagnetic diaphragm that ensures more consistent exposures during high-speed burst shooting.
You can view sample images shot with the new lens.
Availability & Pricing
Nikon will begin shipping the new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S from February 2020 with a price tag of $2,600. The new NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8 will go on sale in the same February but will cost.
