The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a staple "kit" lens for Nikon's Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, often bundled with bodies like the Z6 or Z7. Despite being a kit lens, it boasts impressive optical quality and a versatile focal range. Here's a detailed look at its features:
Optical Performance (S-Line Quality):
Constant f/4 Maximum Aperture: This is a key advantage, maintaining consistent exposure throughout the zoom range from 24mm to 70mm, which is beneficial for both stills and video, especially when zooming during recording.
High Resolution and Sharpness: As an "S-Line" lens, it's designed for superior optical performance. It delivers excellent sharpness across the frame, even wide open at f/4, and maintains good performance even into the corners, particularly at wider focal lengths.
Advanced Optical Design: It features 14 elements in 11 groups, including:
1 Aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element: Combines the benefits of aspherical and ED glass to correct chromatic aberrations and other distortions.
1 ED glass element: Further reduces chromatic aberrations, which cause color fringing.
3 Aspherical lens elements: Help control spherical aberrations and distortion, contributing to a more compact design.
Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating: These advanced anti-reflection coatings effectively minimize ghosting and flare, even in challenging backlit conditions, leading to clear, high-contrast images.
Fluorine Coat: Applied to the front lens element, this repels dust, water droplets, grease, and dirt, making the lens easier to clean and maintain.
Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm: Contributes to a pleasing, natural-looking bokeh (background blur), which is desirable for portraits and shallow depth-of-field effects.
Autofocus and Control:
Stepping Motor (STM): Provides quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, making it well-suited for both still photography and video recording, where silent operation is crucial.
Internal Focusing (IF): The lens uses an internal focusing mechanism, meaning its physical length does not change during focusing, which maintains balance and promotes faster autofocus.
Programmable Control Ring: This customizable ring can be assigned to control various settings like manual focus (default), aperture, or exposure compensation. This offers intuitive and smooth control, particularly useful for video work.
Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism: Ensures stable exposure control, especially during high-speed continuous shooting.
Build Quality and Handling:
Compact and Lightweight: Weighing approximately 500g (1.1 lbs) and featuring a retractable design, it's highly portable and makes for a well-balanced setup on Nikon Z mirrorless cameras.
Durable Construction: Built with a magnesium alloy frame and extensively sealed against dust and moisture, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions.
Retractable Design: The lens can be retracted when not in use, making it even more compact for transport. You rotate the zoom ring past 24mm to lock it in its retracted position.
Filter Size: Takes 72mm screw-in filters.