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 p.1 #4 · Official Nikon Z 70-200 f2.8 VR S II Thread | |
I went to the zoo to test the lens, mainly with the 2x TC. I don't do comparison testing with other lenses as a general rule as it can lead to accusations of poorly done testing and I don't have the time to spend rigorously doing lens test set ups to make sure everything is done perfectly and is repeatable. I am more of a real world use tester as this is where you see how the lens is under these conditions. I can more often than not see whether a lens is better without the need for direct comparisons.
I think the new Z 70-200 f2.8 VR S is at least as sharp wide open as the previous version, it may even have a slight edge at the longer end. However, it is close, very close. I wouldn't "upgrade" for better sharpness only unless any microscopic sharpness advantage means that much to you. Bokeh maybe slightly better depending on the circumstances, but again it is close. Like the 24-70 f2.8 II, it is more about the hardware upgrades than any IQ difference. It seems to be sharper with the 2x TC especially wide open, but again, not a lot in it. With the 2x TC it is very sharp in the shorter focal lengths wide open, just falls off ever so slightly at the longer end. I do think the Z 100-400 f4.5-5.6 VR S still has the edge at around the 400mm end. In most areas, I think the bokeh is better with the Z 100-400 when the 2x TC is attached. I also believe that you are better off served to use the 1.4x TC and crop a little rather than use the 2x TC in most instances. However, if you still need to crop past 400mm, then the 2x TC is obviously a better bet. If you are shooting at 300-400mm much of the time, the Z 100-400 would still be my pick at this stage. I would say that using the 1.4x TC and cropping is as good if not better than using the 2x TC unless you need to crop past 400mm, then the 2x TC is the obvious choice. I haven't bothered taking any with the 1.4x TC as I know it will have little impact on IQ as it was with the previous version.
AF with the 2x TC is decent but you do get the odd AF accuracy anomaly but this could be due to the low light in many of these shots. AF bare is fast and accurate but I am not going to compare AF speed with the previous version as it is something that would need it own comparisons, especially if you want to shoot birds in flight.
Handling was great, the lightness is noticeable and I shot these without the lens foot and collar so it was at it's lightest.
If I were traveling, wanting to travel light and not shooting birds and animals, my kit would be 14-30 f4 or 14-24 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8 or 24/120 f4 and then the 70-200 f2.8 VR S II and 1.4x TC and maybe 2x TC. If I were shooting birds, instead of the 70-200 I may take the 180-600 or even both if I could. Another option is that I get the 400 f4.5 and take that instead of the 180-600, if I can find the money!
These are my thoughts so far and are subject to change.  All images used with Topaz AI Denoise.
All taken with the Z8 and many with the 2x TC.
1) Water Dragon - male in breeding colors, the red breast.
70-200 f2.8 bare, 1/60s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso80
2) White-breasted Ground Dove
70-200 f2.8 bare, 1/100s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso400
3) White-rumped Sharma
70-200 f2.8 bare, 1/200s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso1000
4) crop of above to be close to the 2x TC image size
5) White-rumped Sharma
70-200 + 2x TC - similar to the bare lens shot cropped
6) Water Dragon
70-200 f2.8 + 2x TC, 1/60s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso2800
7) Pied Heron
70-200 f2.8 + 2x TC, 1/80s f/5.6 at 180.0mm iso560
8) Royal Spoonbill
70-200 f2.8, 1/125s f/2.8 at 150.0mm iso80
9) Pied Heron
70-200 f2.8 + 2x TC, 1/125s f/5.6 at 250.0mm iso1000
10) Gorilla
70-200 f2.8 + 2x TC, 1/250s f/5.6 at 290.0mm iso360
11) Zebra Finch - female
70-200 f2.8 + 2x TC, 1/250s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso400
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