Melville, NY—The Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 telephoto lens completes Nikon’s Z trio of affordable f/2.8 zooms for enthusiasts. The new Z 70–180mm f/2.8 lens is an option for photographers as well as videographers looking to step up their lens collection with a fast, affordable telephoto zoom.
In addition, the new lens joins the recently released 28–75mm f/2.8 and 17–28mm f/2.8. Consequently, it rounds out Nikon’s trio of upgrade lenses.
What’s more, the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 is approximately 40% smaller than the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8. However, it offers a similar versatile focal range that’s a solution for weddings, portraits, sports and video event coverage. The combination of its fast f/2.8 aperture and zoom range lets you shoot in low-light scenarios. It also gives flattering compression and artistic bokeh that draws attention to the subject.
Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 Key Features
The new Nikkor lens is constructed of 19 elements in 14 groups. They include five extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, one super ED element as well as three aspherical elements. All work to suppress chromatic aberration and flaring.
The lens can expand creative possibilities due to its constant maximum aperture of f/2.8. It facilitates smooth-looking background blur. In addition, it offers the ability to shoot close-ups with a minimum focus distance of 10.7 inches (at 70mm) and 33.5 inches (at 180mm).
In addition, the lens is optimized for video creation with suppressed focus breathing and near-silent focusing. Further, users can customize the control ring and program it to gradually change aperture, ISO and focus. Plus, because the focus position moves in accordance with the rotation angle, regardless of how fast the focus ring is turned, videographers can also control manual focus as intended.
The lens features fast autofocus due to a stepping motor (STM) that supports quick focusing on moving subjects for both stills and video. The STM makes virtually no mechanical noises while tracking the subject. This is ideal for eye-detection AF and silent shooting in addition to recording videos.
Furthermore, the lens will work with the Z TC-1.4× and Z TC-2.0× teleconverters, which extend its maximum focal length to 252mm or 360mm, respectively. When the Z TC-2.0× is attached, the maximum reproduction ratio is 0.96x, which is close to life-size reproduction.
With a dust- and drip-resistant body, the lens also has an antifouling coating on the front-most surface of the lens. Compact and lightweight, the new Z lens is 6 inches in length and weighs in at 1.75 pounds for easy all-day carry.
The Nikon Nikkor Z 70–180mm f/2.8 lens will reach retail in mid-July. It will have a suggested retail price of $1,249.95.
