I have the 14-30mm f4 lens, the 28-75mm f2.8, and a couple of primes. This will be my next lens, a telephoto lens for a long distance reach. I'm glad Nikon releases lenses for the consumer that cannot purchase the professional lenses, but has nice alternatives and still get great quality photos.
Wow we have the same setup almost, I just have a 85mm 1.8 also en got the 50mm 1.8 also lately, I’ve been waiting so long for a cheaper version of the 70-200!
Wise decision by Matt to review this lens while everyone else is initially concentrating on the 180-600. The aberration control is impressive as is its size. I imagine even though this is likely a Tamron optical design Nikon has applied its proprietary coatings. This is definitely my choice for a fast tele zoom as the more expensive 70-200 is just a bit too big and heavy for my liking. Thanks for the great first look.
He is portrait photographer after all which is quite a youtube niche these days while most of other youtubers are bird and wildlife phogs so... common sense, no need to be reviewing this portrait lens. My point is that it's not much of a wisdom but ... again, common sense, haha. Looks like a great lens for who needs such.
This senior photographer is absolutely interested in this lens! I am finding it more challenging to shoot with my Z9 paired with the 70-200 2.8 s lens for long performances and events. I own the 17-28mm, and the 28-75mm2.8 Z lenses and I am quite happy with them. Purchasing this new 70-180mm 2.8 lens is a no-brainer for me. I will still keep my 70-200 2.8 s lens for certain events, but I will use the lighter lens for longer events where weight is an issue. This will also make an excellent compact 2.8 travel lens.
My Z mount trilogy up to a few months ago was/is the 20mm 1.8S, 24-70 2.8S and the 70-200 2.8S (along with the 1.4x and 2.0x extenders for the 70-200). I’ve been very happy with this group along with my 500mm 5.6 pf for birds and wildlife. All are simply fantastic lenses. But the flip side is when I fill my camera bag with all three, plus camera(s) and accessories, it’s a back breaker. For Christmas last year, my wife bought me the 24-120 f/4 for use as a single lightweight travel lens. As I started using it, I left behind the 24-70 2.8 more and more. It’s a great lens, one of Nikon’s best, but the 24-120 is just so much more versatile and smaller and lighter to boot. We’re going to England and Maui this fall and my plan was to go with one camera (Z8) and one lens, leaving everything else behind. I’d love to take the 70-200 too but it’s just too big and bulky for long trips. I’m seriously looking at this new one. Travel with the 24-120, the 70-180 and the 1.4x extender would give me 24-250mm of reach in a compact kit.
Wow, I think this is going to be my first Z lens purchase as I have been adapting F glass this whole time. I see this lens as a sweet spot product for backpacking/landscape photographers in that it has that tele reach that we need sometimes yet still fast and more affordable then the bigger f2.8 brother.
@@mlai2546 I did and no thanks. My 105 f1.4E and 85 f1.4D on my D850 is all I ever want with more character, and a Lot cheaper too. Yes the new one is amazing but I cant justify the cost of a lens that will get me the same look as with what I have already.
For the price point of this lens it really gives quality results and being a 2.8 lens just makes it better. For those on a budget or want to travel light and still get quality results it seems a win, win scenario.
This one has me really thinking. Using a 70-300E AF-P VR on the Ftz adapter right now. Of course that's a much cheaper lens, but price isn't so much my consideration, rather size and usability. 70-180 f2.8 plus 2x teleconverter (together US$ 1850) No VR in the lens, but there's IBIS in the bodies. Plus from 70-180 it's more than a stop faster, which is an advantage (freeze movements). With converter fom 180-360 it's roughly the same f-stop, perhaps an advantage for the 70-300 here due to build in VR, but this gives an extra 60mm reach. Weight: +100g compared with the 70-300, even with Ftz. +300g for TC. Size: just 5mm longer than the 70-300. Ftz and converter are about same length. So same length than 70-300 with converter, shorter if used without TC. Macro of almost 1:1 if used with converter! This could be one very versatile but fairly compact tele setup! Low light, out to 180. Total range to 360. Good close up. Fairly compact. Hmmmmmm. 😍 Gonna have to take a closer look at this!
I’ve been using this lens from Tamron sony e mount with megadap . It is a beautiful super lightweight lens and pretty fast focusing . I’m sure this is exactly the same formula with Tamron.
Yup, NIKON have already announce their collaboration with third-party lens manufacturers to incorporate their lenses into the Z line. So far we’ve seen some subtle improvements in the NIKON versions of these third party lenses so not surprised that this new 70-180 is a performer👍🙂
@@psoon04286 It's the same exact lens design though. So how does Nikon justify overcharging 50% on that lens? The original Tamron for Sony E costs around ~1000 on sale, the licensed version with the Nikon logo costs about 1500. That's theft is what.
Wow, that a nice range for a lens. If this was launched with the Z8, I probably would have picked it up instead of the 70-200. It’s certainly a lighter lens to carry around and having 2.8 is certainly a good thing.
@@dafyddthomas7299 Its smaller and lighter, than the 70-200 2.8 VR version, which also makes it good for handholding use for video. The VR would be nice if that could keep it the same size but, the price would go up. That’s a good price for this lens.
Great video. Love your channel. I just ordered this lens o go with my Z6ii, 24-70 f4, 14-30 f4, 85 f1.8, 40 f2. I’ve been looking for something longer for travel.
Happy Solstice Matt & everyone on that side of the equator. I promise to make the most of our share of the tilt & make sure you get your share of the illuminated glory of our sun starting Thursday. Also, the S-Line & Non-S-Line of lenses are filling out so well. So many moments to capture!
I own the FLED and I'm still using it on my Z6. I've been waiting for this lens. I was gonna upgrade my FLED to the S series Z but I think I'll get this one instead to use along side my FLED. This lens is a dream. You only loose 20mm at the long end, which you can get back with light cropping, and it's half the weight. Not sure if this is a rebadged Tamron but from the looks of the IQ maybe they addressed all the short comings of the Tamron. Mate this with the 24-120 S, perfect 2 lens kit for me.
For sports shooters as well Jared Polin (Ik Ik not everyone like him) has a video on the Tamron 70-180 vs Sony 70-200 which could help people understand better if they truly need the extra 20mm and just how the lens performs on that category of shooting. Just wanted to put that out there for people looking between this lens and the 70-200 S lens.
love how you show the F mount and z 70-200s - really helps sell why you should buy this lens. this and a 24-70 2.8 would fit into much smaller bag than the other lenses which would be a major win for run n gun pros like myself.
The size and weight of this lens is very compelling. I already have the 70-200mm S so probably won't be buying it soon, but may consider buying a used one in a year or so to see if it is worth switching. If this lens had been released a year and a half ago I imagine I'd have gone with this instead of the S lens.
I own this lens now, and it is excellent. It works better than I expected with the two teleconverters, even the 2x. With the 2x TC it seems to autofocus close to that of the100-400. This is also a true 1:2 macro lens.
I just put one on order this morning. I love having the fast f/2.8 aperture and I love the optics in this series of lenses. I also own the 17-28 f/2.8 and 28-75 f/2.8
This in my opinion might be great for event photography. Small, less "intimidating", easier to "blend in", and the lower weight at the end of the evening/early morning would be a HUGE plus. I still shoot my F 70-200 V2 (Not even FL!) on my Z9 and have no complaints aside from weight and size when I need to load-out my gear for the night. Nothing against F4 (I still am happy with my F4 24-70 Z lens, and declined the upgrade to 2.8 after a few trial runs as it wasn't worth it since I shoot Primes if I need to be concerned about light The F/1.2 Z lenses trumps anything at dark venues, and the f/1.8 are no slouches either.) Dual Z9s for consistency & ability to avoid battery swaps, but if WEIGHT is your primary concern, then that 70-180 on a Z8 sounds ideal, and might work a treat. I'm going for one 70-180s to leave on one of my backups like a Z6 for non-critical aisle shots, or when access is restricting getting close enough for my 50 1.2 or 85mm options.
@abnetshiferaw9256 It's really not impressive to grab a 2nd Z9. $4400-$4800 used in excellent condition. By the time people kit-up their Z8s with extra batteries and a grip, they're paying the same or more. Added bonus of not needing to worry about batteries dying before the night is over. (I have 2 spares, but have never needed them, so I rotate them to minimize wear.) And never once has overheating or "hot cards" been a concern. So for ME, 100% worth the extra weight to go Z9s.
I would be curious to the actual focal range (magnification) at long focal lengths and close focus points, many 70-200 2.8 do not reach 200mm at close focus, headshot distance.
I ordered this lens as soon as orders were taken. I've been wishing for a Z mount 70-200 f4 since I got my first Z camera in the fall of 2018. Of course the 2,8 is remarkable, but for my use, smaller wins. I will soon be retiring my F mount 70-200 f4 and will be using my FTZ adapter less and less. My bag gets lighter and larger! No regrets.
Hello Matt, I think the 70-180mm Z lens is quite an amazing one. I recently sold my 70-200 mm 2.8 S for the benefit of another lens. However, I am now missing something in the telephoto range. As you already said, in the past we only had lenses with an aperture of four. I will buy it for the trip. I have now become very specialized with my lenses and have also discovered manual focusing. Like the Zeiss Otus 55 mm, for example.
I was thinking of using this on my 2nd crop body, 2x tc plus 1.5 crop, it's now a 210-540 5.6. I'll use it on FF as a 70-180 2.8 for events also. I gave up 70-200 f4 and FTZ in kind of anticipation for this lens. 70-200 is too dang heavy esp on a Z6 or crop body, 70-200mm f4 is also heavier and rather long with the FTZ adapter. I was initially very skeptical of using anything other than S lenses but the performance is pretty dang good with these except in the very corners. I like the 28-75 2.8 better than the 24-70 f4 for instance.
I ws hoping they were going to release the 35mm 1.2 next but I love the idea of this small 70-180! I think I am going to pick up this trinity of 2.8 lenses.
I am interested in this lens to complete my collection with the 17-28mm & the 28-75mm. I am hearing rumors of the Z4 a rangefinder. Like the A7c. I would be interested into this camera if it is. Most important thing in my case is no 30 minute record time limit. Stay Warm and Keep Smiling! Cheers!
That's another Tamron in Nikon housing. I actually like all Tamrons Nikon was rehousing, but I would prefer if Tamron themselves changed the mount, it would have been quite a bit cheaper with no downside. Btw, Nikon didn't change coatings on the other Tamron designs (28-75, 17-28), so I doubt they did anything to coatings on this as well, it likely has the original Tamron coatings.
The Tamron was just US$50 cheaper than this one upon launch, so not much difference this time. I prefer the Nikon version. Nikon will take care of firmware for this one, and hence future compatibility. Plus they did change the focusing motors, for whatever reason. So much stuff going on in terms of electronics (AF, image correction, firmware) regarding lenses that I prefer it being a Nikon.
Hi Matt, I'm as amazed as you are as these are affordable lenses of a relatively high standard. I have the 70-200mm Z 2.8. but in the telephoto range, a lens without S quality would be enough for me. If I were faced with the purchase decision again, I would buy the 70-180 mm.
I have the AF-S 70-200/2.8G VR, well-used on my D800 but a tad long and heavy for my Z5. The Z Nikkor 70-200/2.8 is also long and heavy, and now this smaller, lighter tele zoom is here!
It’s definitely gonna be in my bag i don’t have a zoom lens and this would be perfect for travel i have the z6 and the z9 it’ll be nice to see how the look on each body thank you for reviewing this lens 👍🏽
Thanks for the very good review. I watched a few of them on YT before making my purchasing decision. Of course, the N 70-200 S is my favorite, but for me, it's too big a lens to carry in a backpack, especially since I also carry the DJI mini 2 drone with me. I also don't want to be at outdoor events with two cameras attached to my sides, where one has the 24-70 2.8 S lens and the other has the 70-200 S. I know that the N is sharper and brighter, there's no argument there. I ordered the 70-180 and will personally check if it's worth paying extra for the 70- 200 at the cost of weight, which I try to avoid for the health of my spine. I also believe that the current capabilities of LR and PS allow for somewhat blurring the difference between very expensive lenses and slightly cheaper ones. That's just my opinion. Regards, and thanks again for the great video
Still using my trusty Tamron G2 70-200 F2.8 on my Z6II's - which was and still is superb value at about half the price of the Nikon F version. It never let me down, but now I'm seeing some hesitation in engaging AF. Don't know whether it is down to the FTZ adapter, tear & wear or just firmware. The Z 70-200S is way too big & heavy for me, so this 70-180 Nikon/Tamron lens is probably my next "70-200". That 20mm is never going to be crucial. Not in reach, but maybe slightly in subject isolation. But this is where my Nikon 105 F1.4 comes in. A comparison test would be welcome. I wonder the AF is more snappy & reliable on the 70-180 Z vs the Tamron G2 70-200 (with FTZ). Not on Z8/Z9, but on the Z6/7/II bodies - which will be the target group anyway.
I am very interested. I looked at the MTF chart. It looks like this lens will perform well pretty well. In other words it is consistent with the things you are seeing. I have my 70-200mm G series F-mount and I could not see a case for upgrading it to the Z version, even though that is a brilliant lens. I do have an interest in a smaller, lighter lens even if it is a bit shorter. When I think of how often I would use the focal length, the Non-S 70-180 will be something I will find more useful.
The question for me is how will this do with a TC? I appreciate that the 2x TC will probably be a no-go, but the 1.4 makes this a 100-250mm f/4 lens. Which I find quite interesting. If it’s any good.
Yeah the Nikkor TC probability is very interesting yet not enough mentioned and tested. The important thing is considering u can take it off anytime, you are now having a 70-252mm lense with 70-180 at 2.8 and 180-252 F4. Combined with the light weight, it really ticked every boxes of my expectation list.
Nikon’s Z strategy with this newest 2.8 reminds me very much of their AF Nikkor 35-70 2.8, which was a steal and a fantastic lens with very high quality glass. While ancient, the quality of its images in most situations rivals the AF-S 24-70 2.8G ED.
Nice alternative from Nikon. And it looks like it is not a 1 on 1 re-branding of the Tamron version. Maybe a comparison test between the two is in order. Would be interesting to see the difference in fringing. It would also be nice to have a image quality comparison between the Nikon Z 70-180 with 1.4x and 2x against the Tamron 70-300mm. With 1.4x it would be a 98-245mm 4.0 With 2x it would be a 140-360mm 5.6 If the sharpness with a 2x converter is comparable to the 70-300mm. It could be an interesting compact solution to bridge the gap between my 24-120mm and 400mm 4.5.
I’ve been waiting to see this out for a while. I’ve been using my 70-200 F4 on an adapter for a while. I borrowed a friend’s Z9 and 70-200 2.8 Z. Bough a used Z9 but the 70-200 is too big for my needs.
This is the closest Nikon has gotten to update the legendary 70-180 AFD Micro-Nikkor. This is still an outstanding optic on a D850 for documenting biodiversity - close up imagery at a distance to minimize disturbance. It's the perfect "snake-lens" or equally for arthropods and flowers and so much more..... So this 70-180 f2.8 introduces the potential for high speed focus-stacking on such subjects. At
I have an absolutely absurd comparison suggestion: This lens with a 2X TC making it a 140-360mm vs. the 100-400mm. If it's usable, it could be an amazing option for a backpacking wildlife photographer trying to keep size and weight down.
I also think so, the light after putting on 2xTC at 70-180 is 5.6, so the same as with further focal lengths 100-400, and generally smaller sizes 70-180 + 2xTC=140-360, lower price and downloading 2xTC we have a range of 70-180 .
I’m still using F glass for long telephoto. I don’t know about this considering there’s so much overlap with my 24-120. I don’t have the money to buy anything right now so I’ll just wait and see what happens. It would still be nice to have a 70-200 f4 as an option.
Hi Matt, Interesting lens, indeed. I would appreciate if you would do some comparison testing with the 70-200 2.8 and potentially also with the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR. What I would particularly be interested in is comparing 70-180 images at 180, then 90% cropped in to get the same view as the 70-200 at 200. How does the sharpness now compare at f/2.8, f/4.0, and f/8 or f/11 - in the center and in the corners? What I also would want to understand is the stops equivalent of the VR on a Z7 II and a Z8 (or Z9) at 200mm resp. 180mm cropped in to the 200mm equivalent. For the 70-200 Nikon claims 5.5 stops at 200mm. How much does the VR-less 70-180 "at 200mm" allow with only the sensor compensating vibrations? Remarkable is the maximum reproduction ratio of .48x. This is almost 50% of the S line macro lens Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S with its maximum reproduction ratio of 1x. The 70-200 2.8 only achieves 0.2x. If the best macro lens you can buy allows to print your ladybug 1 meter wide then the 70-180 2.8 allows it to blow up 50 cm wide. Not bad. This could be your macro lens, that you always carry with you. For me a bad, maybe the worst feature of the 70-180 is not the missing internal zooming, but the missing fluorine coating. It makes it only partially suitable for rain. I assume also heavy rain will not press through the sealing. Should you ever get a misty condition within the lens, with few times zooming in and out at home the moisture will be pumped out again. But think of windy condition with rain where without fluorine coating you almost can't get the raindrops off the front lens. As you wipe and wipe you soon get smear. How much did Nikon save by not adding fluorine coating? (Of coarse for sand storms I would choose the internal zoom. But most photographers never get into this situation.)
Correct me if I am wrong, but if I am not wrong chromatic aberration would have been automatically corrected in Lightroom and CaptureOne when you are shooting with Z lenses since the profiles are embedded into the NEF files.
If you’re buying it directly from Nikon or a big camera store I think it’s a no brainer.. £1299 compared to £2399 in the UK.. but I got my 70-200 for £1650 so at that price difference I’d think about it more but I think for the size difference I’d ultimately would have gone for the 70-180.. that’s a huge size and weight difference for what I imagine isn’t a vastly different Lens output wise.
Well damn.. that is tiny.. got me thinking if I should keep my 70-200 now.. the reason I don’t use it as much is I tend to go out with just one Lens and no camera bag and it’s a bit of a beast.. verrrry interesting
I currently own the Z50 with both kit lenses and Viltrox 23mm DX 1.4 lens. So for me this new lens doesn't make sense even though it's a fast lens. Also this lens doesn't have VR, like my 50 to 250 lens. Matt, I agree this would be a great travel lens.
Perfect to me too, i hâte travelling with Big Monsters as the other 70-200 2.8 and may be i will not be frustrated with this one in term of quality. I was Waiting for an alternative of the équivalent in F4, i think Nikon made it with this one. Weight, size, perfect, i will wait for more tests. With this Lens, i will replace my 24-120 for a shorter one.
I may get this 70-180 soon. Trade ins will make it economical It's denigrated some because of Tamron origins, as is the Z 38-75 2.8. Does Nikon produce the glass for these? Just bought the Z 28-75 f2.8 which pairs well with Zf. Sorry sort of, I got Zf kit with 24-70 f/4. But I have other coverage of AFS 24-70 G, and similar range(s) of with several other F mount lenses for D810, even 2 DX bodies. The Z S 14-24 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 are too expensive for my personal, just city and travel walking around.
Nice review mate 👍 Nikon are killing it in both the body and lens departments. For me, the differences in a Canon $2,700 lens and a Nikon $1,400 lens are negligible, especially given what Nikon are doing on the top end with Z8/Z9 stacked sensors
I have the Z17-28 f/2.8 and am familiar with the build quality of this class of Z lens, so there’ll be little hesitation for me to include this lens in my bag. However, I also have the 24-200 and although @180mm it’s a darkish f/6.3 the VR and my Z body’s IBIS has allowed me to capture sharp shake-free images in very low light repeatedly. How do these two compare side by side, physically as well as image quality? Thanks for this early detailed review👍👍
Nice video... would love to see you comparing between the various 70-200mm vs this one... particularly the 70-200mm vrs lens for z mount... Can't yet decide whether to go for which one. Hope you cab shed some light... thanks once again for the great video
Can you compare this new 70-180 to the Z24-200? How close does it focus at the long end? Thanks for all your reviews--love them! Very helpful information.
Fast glass at a bargain price! Sure, I'd prefer an internal zoom lens, but at a weight savings for events and travel, what a deal! It seems that the tech built into Z cameras reads and corrects fringing that has always plagued F mount technology until it got +/- corrected in Capture One.
I think portrait also will be very nice, been shooting a lot of portrait or half body with my 70-200 (F-mount) and getting a lot of... not straight photos. I think a shorter and lighter lens would be better.
I shoot portraits, have upgraded to Z9 from an D810 but am still using f-mount glass, mostly 24-70 f2.8G (with no image stabilization) and the 70-200 f2.8 VR2 (famous for not having the full 200mm range). They produce fantastic results which although the newer Z versions I know are optically better but my results are quite decent from these old f mount lenses. Problem is the weight. They have to be mounted on a converter which makes them heavier. Wonder if one day you could make a cost effective comparison between these old f mount lenses, which I’m sure you’re aware of, a lot of us are still using on the z system, to these budget friendly versions as you’ve shown here. Something I’d like to see is how the transition of blur is, is it soft? I don’t see that in most videos. Thanks again for your reviews.
@@caleidoo The larger Z mount enables Nikon to virtually eliminate focus breathing, without software tricks. The 180 on this is as real as you'll get. Smaller mount bodies, yes the long end isn't nearly as true.
Excellent release today by Nikon (just need more ummpphhh from them in producing a Z6 III and Z70 (R7 equiv ). Quick Q's how does this lens- optics, weight, hand-ability compare against the Nikon 70-200 F4 AFS VR F4 ?. Reason being that if / once my 70-200 F4 AFS VR breaks / or I'm in ££/$$ position to buy a replacement - this lens could be a good replacement - over a 2nd hand replacement of 70-200 F4 itself.
Tony Northrup is saying that this lens is a rebrand of a Tamron lens which is priced US$150 less as a Tamron. Is this correct? And if so how come you didn't mention it in your video?
I have been looking for the f4 S-line Z version if the 70-200 since the Z line started. Having an S line f4 trinity has always been my desire. With the massive improvements in sensor technology over the years, getting the F2.8 trinity is not really needed unless you are looking for some form of bokeh. And then there is the price difference. But I have always looked at mirrorless cameras as lighter weight options over the dslr's so the f4 line made a lot of sense to me. Now Nikon comes up with the non S-line quaternity list of lenses: 17-28, 28-75, 70-180, and 180-600. All light weight and sacrificing very little in IQ. Are we entering a new era?
I have the 14-30mm f4 lens, the 28-75mm f2.8, and a couple of primes. This will be my next lens, a telephoto lens for a long distance reach. I'm glad Nikon releases lenses for the consumer that cannot purchase the professional lenses, but has nice alternatives and still get great quality photos.
Well said Izzie
Wow we have the same setup almost, I just have a 85mm 1.8 also en got the 50mm 1.8 also lately, I’ve been waiting so long for a cheaper version of the 70-200!
Wise decision by Matt to review this lens while everyone else is initially concentrating on the 180-600. The aberration control is impressive as is its size. I imagine even though this is likely a Tamron optical design Nikon has applied its proprietary coatings. This is definitely my choice for a fast tele zoom as the more expensive 70-200 is just a bit too big and heavy for my liking. Thanks for the great first look.
Same here. Been waiting for tamron 70-200 2.8 but this one will be definitely a great choice.
He is portrait photographer after all which is quite a youtube niche these days while most of other youtubers are bird and wildlife phogs so... common sense, no need to be reviewing this portrait lens. My point is that it's not much of a wisdom but ... again, common sense, haha. Looks like a great lens for who needs such.
This senior photographer is absolutely interested in this lens! I am finding it more challenging to shoot with my Z9 paired with the 70-200 2.8 s lens for long performances and events. I own the 17-28mm, and the 28-75mm2.8 Z lenses and I am quite happy with them. Purchasing this new 70-180mm 2.8 lens is a no-brainer for me. I will still keep my 70-200 2.8 s lens for certain events, but I will use the lighter lens for longer events where weight is an issue. This will also make an excellent compact 2.8 travel lens.
Great strategy.
My Z mount trilogy up to a few months ago was/is the 20mm 1.8S, 24-70 2.8S and the 70-200 2.8S (along with the 1.4x and 2.0x extenders for the 70-200). I’ve been very happy with this group along with my 500mm 5.6 pf for birds and wildlife. All are simply fantastic lenses.
But the flip side is when I fill my camera bag with all three, plus camera(s) and accessories, it’s a back breaker.
For Christmas last year, my wife bought me the 24-120 f/4 for use as a single lightweight travel lens. As I started using it, I left behind the 24-70 2.8 more and more. It’s a great lens, one of Nikon’s best, but the 24-120 is just so much more versatile and smaller and lighter to boot.
We’re going to England and Maui this fall and my plan was to go with one camera (Z8) and one lens, leaving everything else behind. I’d love to take the 70-200 too but it’s just too big and bulky for long trips.
I’m seriously looking at this new one. Travel with the 24-120, the 70-180 and the 1.4x extender would give me 24-250mm of reach in a compact kit.
Wow, I think this is going to be my first Z lens purchase as I have been adapting F glass this whole time. I see this lens as a sweet spot product for backpacking/landscape photographers in that it has that tele reach that we need sometimes yet still fast and more affordable then the bigger f2.8 brother.
You should try the 85mm 1.8. That lens is amazing! You'll never go back to the f lens.
@@mlai2546 I did and no thanks. My 105 f1.4E and 85 f1.4D on my D850 is all I ever want with more character, and a Lot cheaper too. Yes the new one is amazing but I cant justify the cost of a lens that will get me the same look as with what I have already.
For the price point of this lens it really gives quality results and being a 2.8 lens just makes it better. For those on a budget or want to travel light and still get quality results it seems a win, win scenario.
Hmmm, certainly will think about it. I really do like the weight and size.
Totally agree Ron, it’s like the size of a beer can give or take. 😀
This one has me really thinking. Using a 70-300E AF-P VR on the Ftz adapter right now. Of course that's a much cheaper lens, but price isn't so much my consideration, rather size and usability.
70-180 f2.8 plus 2x teleconverter (together US$ 1850)
No VR in the lens, but there's IBIS in the bodies.
Plus from 70-180 it's more than a stop faster, which is an advantage (freeze movements). With converter fom 180-360 it's roughly the same f-stop, perhaps an advantage for the 70-300 here due to build in VR, but this gives an extra 60mm reach.
Weight: +100g compared with the 70-300, even with Ftz. +300g for TC.
Size: just 5mm longer than the 70-300. Ftz and converter are about same length. So same length than 70-300 with converter, shorter if used without TC.
Macro of almost 1:1 if used with converter!
This could be one very versatile but fairly compact tele setup! Low light, out to 180. Total range to 360. Good close up. Fairly compact.
Hmmmmmm. 😍 Gonna have to take a closer look at this!
I can't wait to put this lens in my camera bag. The size for me is a huge consideration.
I’ve been using this lens from Tamron sony e mount with megadap . It is a beautiful super lightweight lens and pretty fast focusing . I’m sure this is exactly the same formula with Tamron.
Does Megadap function well with it?
Yup, NIKON have already announce their collaboration with third-party lens manufacturers to incorporate their lenses into the Z line. So far we’ve seen some subtle improvements in the NIKON versions of these third party lenses so not surprised that this new 70-180 is a performer👍🙂
@@psoon04286 It's the same exact lens design though. So how does Nikon justify overcharging 50% on that lens? The original Tamron for Sony E costs around ~1000 on sale, the licensed version with the Nikon logo costs about 1500. That's theft is what.
Very exciting lens... inexpensive... SMALL!!!
This is definitely on my shopping list.
Awesome !!! :)
Wow, that a nice range for a lens. If this was launched with the Z8, I probably would have picked it up instead of the 70-200. It’s certainly a lighter lens to carry around and having 2.8 is certainly a good thing.
Good call - could be a Z ML Version of the 70-200 F AFS F4 VR lens ? - that could be another reason why we haven't seen a Nikon 70-200 F4 Z lens.
@@dafyddthomas7299 Its smaller and lighter, than the 70-200 2.8 VR version, which also makes it good for handholding use for video. The VR would be nice if that could keep it the same size but, the price would go up. That’s a good price for this lens.
Great video. Love your channel. I just ordered this lens o go with my Z6ii, 24-70 f4, 14-30 f4, 85 f1.8, 40 f2. I’ve been looking for something longer for travel.
Happy Solstice Matt & everyone on that side of the equator. I promise to make the most of our share of the tilt & make sure you get your share of the illuminated glory of our sun starting Thursday.
Also, the S-Line & Non-S-Line of lenses are filling out so well. So many moments to capture!
Well said, and thank you !!!
I too would love to see a direct comparison between it and the 70-200 S. I am getting ready to jump back into Nikon.
What are you using now?
I own the FLED and I'm still using it on my Z6. I've been waiting for this lens. I was gonna upgrade my FLED to the S series Z but I think I'll get this one instead to use along side my FLED. This lens is a dream. You only loose 20mm at the long end, which you can get back with light cropping, and it's half the weight. Not sure if this is a rebadged Tamron but from the looks of the IQ maybe they addressed all the short comings of the Tamron. Mate this with the 24-120 S, perfect 2 lens kit for me.
This is a Tamron collab innit? I've been using the Tamron on my Sony and 5.0⭐️ for what I use it for.
For sports shooters as well Jared Polin (Ik Ik not everyone like him) has a video on the Tamron 70-180 vs Sony 70-200 which could help people understand better if they truly need the extra 20mm and just how the lens performs on that category of shooting. Just wanted to put that out there for people looking between this lens and the 70-200 S lens.
Cracking lens. So good to see this come to Nikon. I've always been envious of the Sony equivalent and the Canon r 70-200. Lovely and compact.
love how you show the F mount and z 70-200s - really helps sell why you should buy this lens. this and a 24-70 2.8 would fit into much smaller bag than the other lenses which would be a major win for run n gun pros like myself.
The size and weight of this lens is very compelling. I already have the 70-200mm S so probably won't be buying it soon, but may consider buying a used one in a year or so to see if it is worth switching. If this lens had been released a year and a half ago I imagine I'd have gone with this instead of the S lens.
I own this lens now, and it is excellent. It works better than I expected with the two teleconverters, even the 2x. With the 2x TC it seems to autofocus close to that of the100-400. This is also a true 1:2 macro lens.
did I understand correctly? 70-180 2.8 is also a macro lens?
I just put one on order this morning. I love having the fast f/2.8 aperture and I love the optics in this series of lenses. I also own the 17-28 f/2.8 and 28-75 f/2.8
This in my opinion might be great for event photography. Small, less "intimidating", easier to "blend in", and the lower weight at the end of the evening/early morning would be a HUGE plus. I still shoot my F 70-200 V2 (Not even FL!) on my Z9 and have no complaints aside from weight and size when I need to load-out my gear for the night. Nothing against F4 (I still am happy with my F4 24-70 Z lens, and declined the upgrade to 2.8 after a few trial runs as it wasn't worth it since I shoot Primes if I need to be concerned about light The F/1.2 Z lenses trumps anything at dark venues, and the f/1.8 are no slouches either.) Dual Z9s for consistency & ability to avoid battery swaps, but if WEIGHT is your primary concern, then that 70-180 on a Z8 sounds ideal, and might work a treat. I'm going for one 70-180s to leave on one of my backups like a Z6 for non-critical aisle shots, or when access is restricting getting close enough for my 50 1.2 or 85mm options.
Holy shit you got all the gear!
@abnetshiferaw9256 It's really not impressive to grab a 2nd Z9. $4400-$4800 used in excellent condition. By the time people kit-up their Z8s with extra batteries and a grip, they're paying the same or more. Added bonus of not needing to worry about batteries dying before the night is over. (I have 2 spares, but have never needed them, so I rotate them to minimize wear.) And never once has overheating or "hot cards" been a concern. So for ME, 100% worth the extra weight to go Z9s.
Looks cool. I would like to see a direct comparison to 70-200 s line lens.
I shot this lens made by Tamron on Sony E ff. Fantastic lens. Hopefully they bring the 35-150mm f2-2.8 soon
I would be curious to the actual focal range (magnification) at long focal lengths and close focus points, many 70-200 2.8 do not reach 200mm at close focus, headshot distance.
Another terrific exposition! Thanks!
I sold my old 70-200 and was expecting this one for so long. Finally!
Been waiting so long for this
I ordered this lens as soon as orders were taken. I've been wishing for a Z mount 70-200 f4 since I got my first Z camera in the fall of 2018. Of course the 2,8 is remarkable, but for my use, smaller wins. I will soon be retiring my F mount 70-200 f4 and will be using my FTZ adapter less and less. My bag gets lighter and larger! No regrets.
Hello Matt, I think the 70-180mm Z lens is quite an amazing one. I recently sold my 70-200 mm 2.8 S for the benefit of another lens. However, I am now missing something in the telephoto range. As you already said, in the past we only had lenses with an aperture of four. I will buy it for the trip. I have now become very specialized with my lenses and have also discovered manual focusing. Like the Zeiss Otus 55 mm, for example.
I was thinking of using this on my 2nd crop body, 2x tc plus 1.5 crop, it's now a 210-540 5.6. I'll use it on FF as a 70-180 2.8 for events also. I gave up 70-200 f4 and FTZ in kind of anticipation for this lens. 70-200 is too dang heavy esp on a Z6 or crop body, 70-200mm f4 is also heavier and rather long with the FTZ adapter. I was initially very skeptical of using anything other than S lenses but the performance is pretty dang good with these except in the very corners. I like the 28-75 2.8 better than the 24-70 f4 for instance.
I ws hoping they were going to release the 35mm 1.2 next but I love the idea of this small 70-180! I think I am going to pick up this trinity of 2.8 lenses.
I am interested in this lens to complete my collection with the 17-28mm & the 28-75mm. I am hearing rumors of the Z4 a rangefinder. Like the A7c. I would be interested into this camera if it is. Most important thing in my case is no 30 minute record time limit. Stay Warm and Keep Smiling! Cheers!
That's another Tamron in Nikon housing. I actually like all Tamrons Nikon was rehousing, but I would prefer if Tamron themselves changed the mount, it would have been quite a bit cheaper with no downside.
Btw, Nikon didn't change coatings on the other Tamron designs (28-75, 17-28), so I doubt they did anything to coatings on this as well, it likely has the original Tamron coatings.
The Tamron was just US$50 cheaper than this one upon launch, so not much difference this time.
I prefer the Nikon version. Nikon will take care of firmware for this one, and hence future compatibility.
Plus they did change the focusing motors, for whatever reason.
So much stuff going on in terms of electronics (AF, image correction, firmware) regarding lenses that I prefer it being a Nikon.
@@marcusbraun8889 Tamron obviously mispriced the lens, so they keep offering $100 off forever.
Definitely buying this. It’s so much easier to carry around than a 70-200
It's really good to start my day with your video ❤
17-28, 50 1,8 and this 70-180 is my dream set up
Hi Matt, I'm as amazed as you are as these are affordable lenses of a relatively high standard. I have the 70-200mm Z 2.8. but in the telephoto range, a lens without S quality would be enough for me. If I were faced with the purchase decision again, I would buy the 70-180 mm.
I really want an 105mm 1.4 S . Hopefully next year.
I have the AF-S 70-200/2.8G VR, well-used on my D800 but a tad long and heavy for my Z5. The Z Nikkor 70-200/2.8 is also long and heavy, and now this smaller, lighter tele zoom is here!
It’s definitely gonna be in my bag i don’t have a zoom lens and this would be perfect for travel i have the z6 and the z9 it’ll be nice to see how the look on each body thank you for reviewing this lens 👍🏽
Having this in the lineup could free up the S version to go bigger and more capable. Like making the next version a 70-200 f/2.4 for eg
I am thinking about this lens. I can't afford a "S" version of this lens. Good review!
Already budgeting to pick this lens up in time for High School basketball season this fall.
oh nice... I want it!
Hopefully we'll soon see comparisons in autofocus speeds and sharpness with the 70-200! Thanks for this :)
Thanks for the very good review. I watched a few of them on YT before making my purchasing decision. Of course, the N 70-200 S is my favorite, but for me, it's too big a lens to carry in a backpack, especially since I also carry the DJI mini 2 drone with me. I also don't want to be at outdoor events with two cameras attached to my sides, where one has the 24-70 2.8 S lens and the other has the 70-200 S. I know that the N is sharper and brighter, there's no argument there. I ordered the 70-180 and will personally check if it's worth paying extra for the 70- 200 at the cost of weight, which I try to avoid for the health of my spine. I also believe that the current capabilities of LR and PS allow for somewhat blurring the difference between very expensive lenses and slightly cheaper ones. That's just my opinion. Regards, and thanks again for the great video
Good job Nikon. Wow, we have said that a few times this year !!! Great review Matt !
Still using my trusty Tamron G2 70-200 F2.8 on my Z6II's - which was and still is superb value at about half the price of the Nikon F version. It never let me down, but now I'm seeing some hesitation in engaging AF. Don't know whether it is down to the FTZ adapter, tear & wear or just firmware. The Z 70-200S is way too big & heavy for me, so this 70-180 Nikon/Tamron lens is probably my next "70-200". That 20mm is never going to be crucial. Not in reach, but maybe slightly in subject isolation. But this is where my Nikon 105 F1.4 comes in.
A comparison test would be welcome. I wonder the AF is more snappy & reliable on the 70-180 Z vs the Tamron G2 70-200 (with FTZ). Not on Z8/Z9, but on the Z6/7/II bodies - which will be the target group anyway.
Be interesting to see its ‘macro’ capabilities, given the near 1:1 reproduction ratio (think it’s 0.95)…
Hey Matt ! thanks for your reviews again! I'm waiting for the z 180-600 review from you! I infact i just booked it !
oh crap! its $2070 USD equivalent in my region (india) Rs.169 995
indian pricing is with taxes. i guess USD is without ?
I am very interested. I looked at the MTF chart. It looks like this lens will perform well pretty well. In other words it is consistent with the things you are seeing. I have my 70-200mm G series F-mount and I could not see a case for upgrading it to the Z version, even though that is a brilliant lens. I do have an interest in a smaller, lighter lens even if it is a bit shorter. When I think of how often I would use the focal length, the Non-S 70-180 will be something I will find more useful.
The question for me is how will this do with a TC? I appreciate that the 2x TC will probably be a no-go, but the 1.4 makes this a 100-250mm f/4 lens. Which I find quite interesting. If it’s any good.
Yeah the Nikkor TC probability is very interesting yet not enough mentioned and tested. The important thing is considering u can take it off anytime, you are now having a 70-252mm lense with 70-180 at 2.8 and 180-252 F4. Combined with the light weight, it really ticked every boxes of my expectation list.
Nikon’s Z strategy with this newest 2.8 reminds me very much of their AF Nikkor 35-70 2.8, which was a steal and a fantastic lens with very high quality glass. While ancient, the quality of its images in most situations rivals the AF-S 24-70 2.8G ED.
Nice alternative from Nikon. And it looks like it is not a 1 on 1 re-branding of the Tamron version.
Maybe a comparison test between the two is in order. Would be interesting to see the difference in fringing.
It would also be nice to have a image quality comparison between the Nikon Z 70-180 with 1.4x and 2x against the Tamron 70-300mm.
With 1.4x it would be a 98-245mm 4.0
With 2x it would be a 140-360mm 5.6
If the sharpness with a 2x converter is comparable to the 70-300mm. It could be an interesting compact solution to bridge the gap between my 24-120mm and 400mm 4.5.
Thanks Matt , great review. 👍
Thank you
I would’ve gotten this if I didn’t get the Z 70-200 only a few months ago. That size is very enticing.
I’ve been waiting to see this out for a while. I’ve been using my 70-200 F4 on an adapter for a while. I borrowed a friend’s Z9 and 70-200 2.8 Z. Bough a used Z9 but the 70-200 is too big for my needs.
This is the closest Nikon has gotten to update the legendary 70-180 AFD Micro-Nikkor. This is still an outstanding optic on a D850 for documenting biodiversity - close up imagery at a distance to minimize disturbance. It's the perfect "snake-lens" or equally for arthropods and flowers and so much more.....
So this 70-180 f2.8 introduces the potential for high speed focus-stacking on such subjects. At
I have an absolutely absurd comparison suggestion: This lens with a 2X TC making it a 140-360mm vs. the 100-400mm.
If it's usable, it could be an amazing option for a backpacking wildlife photographer trying to keep size and weight down.
I also think so, the light after putting on 2xTC at 70-180 is 5.6, so the same as with further focal lengths 100-400, and generally smaller sizes 70-180 + 2xTC=140-360, lower price and downloading 2xTC we have a range of 70-180 .
I’m still using F glass for long telephoto. I don’t know about this considering there’s so much overlap with my 24-120. I don’t have the money to buy anything right now so I’ll just wait and see what happens. It would still be nice to have a 70-200 f4 as an option.
Hi Matt,
Interesting lens, indeed.
I would appreciate if you would do some comparison testing with the 70-200 2.8 and potentially also with the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR. What I would particularly be interested in is comparing 70-180 images at 180, then 90% cropped in to get the same view as the 70-200 at 200. How does the sharpness now compare at f/2.8, f/4.0, and f/8 or f/11 - in the center and in the corners?
What I also would want to understand is the stops equivalent of the VR on a Z7 II and a Z8 (or Z9) at 200mm resp. 180mm cropped in to the 200mm equivalent. For the 70-200 Nikon claims 5.5 stops at 200mm. How much does the VR-less 70-180 "at 200mm" allow with only the sensor compensating vibrations?
Remarkable is the maximum reproduction ratio of .48x. This is almost 50% of the S line macro lens Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S with its maximum reproduction ratio of 1x. The 70-200 2.8 only achieves 0.2x. If the best macro lens you can buy allows to print your ladybug 1 meter wide then the 70-180 2.8 allows it to blow up 50 cm wide. Not bad. This could be your macro lens, that you always carry with you.
For me a bad, maybe the worst feature of the 70-180 is not the missing internal zooming, but the missing fluorine coating. It makes it only partially suitable for rain. I assume also heavy rain will not press through the sealing. Should you ever get a misty condition within the lens, with few times zooming in and out at home the moisture will be pumped out again. But think of windy condition with rain where without fluorine coating you almost can't get the raindrops off the front lens. As you wipe and wipe you soon get smear. How much did Nikon save by not adding fluorine coating? (Of coarse for sand storms I would choose the internal zoom. But most photographers never get into this situation.)
Correct me if I am wrong, but if I am not wrong chromatic aberration would have been automatically corrected in Lightroom and CaptureOne when you are shooting with Z lenses since the profiles are embedded into the NEF files.
If you’re buying it directly from Nikon or a big camera store I think it’s a no brainer.. £1299 compared to £2399 in the UK.. but I got my 70-200 for £1650 so at that price difference I’d think about it more but I think for the size difference I’d ultimately would have gone for the 70-180.. that’s a huge size and weight difference for what I imagine isn’t a vastly different Lens output wise.
Nikon will sell a lot. The f2.8 on this lens is on point.
Well damn.. that is tiny.. got me thinking if I should keep my 70-200 now.. the reason I don’t use it as much is I tend to go out with just one Lens and no camera bag and it’s a bit of a beast.. verrrry interesting
My upgradeitis prevents me from not getting the 70-200 S. It’s an illness.
I currently own the Z50 with both kit lenses and Viltrox 23mm DX 1.4 lens. So for me this new lens doesn't make sense even though it's a fast lens. Also this lens doesn't have VR, like my 50 to 250 lens. Matt, I agree this would be a great travel lens.
Perfect to me too, i hâte travelling with Big Monsters as the other 70-200 2.8 and may be i will not be frustrated with this one in term of quality. I was Waiting for an alternative of the équivalent in F4, i think Nikon made it with this one. Weight, size, perfect, i will wait for more tests. With this Lens, i will replace my 24-120 for a shorter one.
Kinda wish this lens had existed before I bought my Z 70-200 2.8
I may get this 70-180 soon. Trade ins will make it economical
It's denigrated some because of Tamron origins, as is the Z 38-75 2.8. Does Nikon produce the glass for these? Just bought the Z 28-75 f2.8 which pairs well with Zf. Sorry sort of, I got Zf kit with 24-70 f/4. But I have other coverage of AFS 24-70 G, and similar range(s) of with several other F mount lenses for D810, even 2 DX bodies.
The Z S 14-24 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 are too expensive for my personal, just city and travel walking around.
Is this a Rebranded Tamron ? A brilliant move by Nikon to quickly fill out the Z line. 👍🏻
From what I’ve seen in other reviews, yep.
Hello Matt, what an odd lenses. Good review thank you. The answer is it cheeper. Question does it take teleconverters?
Yes
Nice review mate 👍 Nikon are killing it in both the body and lens departments. For me, the differences in a Canon $2,700 lens and a Nikon $1,400 lens are negligible, especially given what Nikon are doing on the top end with Z8/Z9 stacked sensors
I would look at it but I own the 70-200 f/2.8 VR S already.
I have the Z17-28 f/2.8 and am familiar with the build quality of this class of Z lens, so there’ll be little hesitation for me to include this lens in my bag. However, I also have the 24-200 and although @180mm it’s a darkish f/6.3 the VR and my Z body’s IBIS has allowed me to capture sharp shake-free images in very low light repeatedly. How do these two compare side by side, physically as well as image quality?
Thanks for this early detailed review👍👍
I’ve ordered 180-600 and this 70-180 being 2.8 means with TCs I could offload my 100-400 so it is something I’m thinking about…
Is this another licensed Tamron design?
Nice, thx! So the Z70-180mm released with the Z 180-600mm, bravo Nikon👏👏👏
Nice video... would love to see you comparing between the various 70-200mm vs this one... particularly the 70-200mm vrs lens for z mount... Can't yet decide whether to go for which one. Hope you cab shed some light... thanks once again for the great video
Can you compare this new 70-180 to the Z24-200? How close does it focus at the long end? Thanks for all your reviews--love them! Very helpful information.
waiting for a 35-150 f2.8
Dream lens. I am staying with Z 50mm 1.8 wating for 35-150, hoping this year...maybe?
@@mariusdan6147 They already did the tamron 28-75 right?
Fast glass at a bargain price! Sure, I'd prefer an internal zoom lens, but at a weight savings for events and travel, what a deal! It seems that the tech built into Z cameras reads and corrects fringing that has always plagued F mount technology until it got +/- corrected in Capture One.
Sir, does the 70-180 have disadvantage not having VR when paired with Nikon ZF?
Love to see another piece.
Would a 70-180mm f2.8 be an improvement, re image quality , on the F mount 70-200 f2.8 E VR FL, other than weight?
I think portrait also will be very nice, been shooting a lot of portrait or half body with my 70-200 (F-mount) and getting a lot of... not straight photos. I think a shorter and lighter lens would be better.
Looks like the same size as the 24-70 2.8. Is it so?
Nice review. A lot about purple fringing but how is the bokeh? How quick is autofocus? Thinking of this lens for concerts.
Wow, I can remember the old days, when a Nikkor 80-200mm f/4 was bigger and heavier than this lens.
I shoot portraits, have upgraded to Z9 from an D810 but am still using f-mount glass, mostly 24-70 f2.8G (with no image stabilization) and the 70-200 f2.8 VR2 (famous for not having the full 200mm range). They produce fantastic results which although the newer Z versions I know are optically better but my results are quite decent from these old f mount lenses. Problem is the weight. They have to be mounted on a converter which makes them heavier. Wonder if one day you could make a cost effective comparison between these old f mount lenses, which I’m sure you’re aware of, a lot of us are still using on the z system, to these budget friendly versions as you’ve shown here. Something I’d like to see is how the transition of blur is, is it soft? I don’t see that in most videos. Thanks again for your reviews.
Makes you wonder how real the 180mm is. Maybe it's also more like a 165mm. A comparison at close and far distances is needed.
@@caleidoo The larger Z mount enables Nikon to virtually eliminate focus breathing, without software tricks. The 180 on this is as real as you'll get. Smaller mount bodies, yes the long end isn't nearly as true.
Excellent release today by Nikon (just need more ummpphhh from them in producing a Z6 III and Z70 (R7 equiv ). Quick Q's how does this lens- optics, weight, hand-ability compare against the Nikon 70-200 F4 AFS VR F4 ?. Reason being that if / once my 70-200 F4 AFS VR breaks / or I'm in ££/$$ position to buy a replacement - this lens could be a good replacement - over a 2nd hand replacement of 70-200 F4 itself.
New coatings, compared to the Tamron? Ohnoes, i hope it can still do infrared well...
Thanks, yes, -lease compare!
no kidding, half of the price of 70-200mm
Tony Northrup is saying that this lens is a rebrand of a Tamron lens which is priced US$150 less as a Tamron. Is this correct? And if so how come you didn't mention it in your video?
Need to start saving to buy some Z toys
I have been looking for the f4 S-line Z version if the 70-200 since the Z line started. Having an S line f4 trinity has always been my desire. With the massive improvements in sensor technology over the years, getting the F2.8 trinity is not really needed unless you are looking for some form of bokeh. And then there is the price difference. But I have always looked at mirrorless cameras as lighter weight options over the dslr's so the f4 line made a lot of sense to me. Now Nikon comes up with the non S-line quaternity list of lenses: 17-28, 28-75, 70-180, and 180-600. All light weight and sacrificing very little in IQ. Are we entering a new era?