Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70/4 S Lens (24-70mm f/4)
Overall Rating:
This lens is 6 years old and made in Thailand. It has four aspherical elements (one ED) and two ED elements (one aspherical). It's a very modern lens design made for today's high resolution sensors. This is an S line lens which means it gets Nikon's weather sealing to protect it against the elements, and it may also indicate superior optics. It features a stepper autofocus motor which is silent for video usage. It has a touch of resistance when moving out of the locked position. It is a varifocal zoom in that it changes focus as it is zoomed. There is much confusion regarding its performance. Lens review sites seem to think it is too expensive for its performance or that it has poor overall sharpness. Buy it as part of a kit, because at $1000 (USD), this lens is indeed overpriced. The 24-50/4-6.3 may be a better kit lens because it is almost as good and much cheaper. This lens was introduced when 45MP cameras were modern.
Some believe this lens was replaced in 2022 by the heavier, larger Nikkor Z 24-120/4 S because of the similar focal lengths, constant f/4 maximum aperture, and the fact that they both are "S-Line" lenses.
Performance
Like the Fujifilm Fujinon 18-55mm/2.8-4, this is one of the best kit lenses on the market.
There is almost no color fringing. There is some vignetting to be found wide open, and is nearly gone by f/8. Barrel distortion (1.5%) is present at 24mm while it has pincushion distortion (1.25%) at 70mm.
Color fringing detail at 3-to-1.
The autofocus is zippy and dead silent. It is a good choice for video w/on-camera mic.
SHARPNESS: Lens is sharpest at 35mm and does not degrade much at 24mm and 50mm. Use f/5.6-f/6.3 for maximum sharpness. In fact, it is about as sharp as the Nikkor Z 50mm/1.8 S lens at f/6.3! This is especially true nearer to the center but not necessarily in the dead center. At f=70mm/4, there is noticeable softening particularly in the corners. It is the 70mm focal length that drags down the sharpness scores of this lens. Otherwise, the lens performs well.
There is very little focus breathing making this a fine lens to use with a depth of field calculator. There is pretty much no coma to be concerned with.
This lens has a decent maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.3.
Infrared
Infrared performance not tested.
Bokeh
The bokeh is good.
Ghosting & Flaring
This lens exhibits very little ghosting and no flaring when photographing a subject with a bright background like this tree against the sun.
Compatibility
Because this is a Z-mount lens designed for Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras, it is not compatible with older DSLR cameras.
Construction
This lens is weather-sealed and has a metal mount and some metal internals.
The diaphragm has seven blades and is rounded.
It has a touch of resistance when moving out of the compressed, locked position.
Specifications
| Focal length | 24 to 70mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Lens construction | 14 elements in 11 groups |
| Angle of view | 84° to 34° 20' |
| Maximum reproduction ratio | 1:3.3 (0.3×) |
| No. of diaphragm blades | 7 (rounded) |
| Filter-attachment size | ø72mm |
| Accessories | HB-85 hood |
| Diameter × length | Approximately 77.5 × 88.5 mm/3.05 × 3.48 in. |
| Weight | Approximately 500 g/1.1 lbs |
| Price | $1000 (USD) (2018) |
Images
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