EB-1 wrote: Vento wrote:
The Nikkor Z 70-180/2.8 in the Z lens lineup ultimately takes on the job.
Certainly not quite as high-quality and expensive as the Canon, but it fulfills the purpose of a compact and lightweight solution in this area.
In my opinion, it's perfectly adequate if the aforementioned qualities take priority over ultimate image quality.
The Tamron is even more consistent in this regard, weighing 275g less and being significantly slimmer than the compact Canon 70-200/2.8, even though it's 20mm shorter at the long end.
The new Z 70-200/2.8 VR S II is aimed primarily at professional and very demanding amateurs.
Here, the focus is on maximum image quality and high robustness under a wide range of weather conditions.
So there are no hard compromises when it comes to internal zooming, focusing and IQ, which in a design like Canon's has to make greater compromises in favor of compactness/pack size.
I don't really see the need for such an expensive compact solution as Canon's.
For those who don't need the ultimate IQ and robustness of the large 70-200/2.8 designs, the Nikon Z 70-180/2.8, or the latest Tamron version, offers a very compact and lightweight solution that is still high quality, without being in the price range of the large 70-200/2.8 versions, like the Canon.
In both cases, Nikon offers the lighter solutions.
Even the new Nikon Z 70-200/2.8 VR S II is marginally lighter than the small, extendable Canon 70-200/2.8.
Unfortunately the 70-200/4 Z Nikkor is missing in action. That's the only 70-200 Nikkor I'd buy. The Tamron 70-180/2.8 version is not a replacement. You should be comparing the latest Nikkor f/2.8 and Canon f/2.8 and Sony f/2.8 rather than the recently obsolete lenses.
I don't see the obsession with weight though. How much does your entire bag weigh and how much difference is a few hundred grams unless you are climbing a mountain?
EBH
Weight and compactness, over function in my book, are the core aspect Sony strategists picked when they wondered « what is our DNA and how can it help us differentiate to remain relevant as a photo equipment company? ».
It’s no surprise that some Sony fans end up being people who think that weight is more important than images.
I have been a vivid hiker for 25 years. The most impactful aspect is my extra fat. Contrary to the intuition weight of photo equipment isn’t that super critical overall if photography is the priority. For the tiny pourcentage of hikers who do winter camping in the wild (like I did this past weekend) bulk is definitely an issue though. My ULA circuit and my friend Blue Ice 90l pack were full with the Hilberg tent, shovels, avalanche probes etc… I could only pack the Z8 and 24-120mm f4 S. Boy was I glad that Nikon offers the best such lens on the market.
Sorry for the little rant.
Cheers,
Bernard
Feb 25, 2026 at 05:19 PM
Previous versions of bernardl's message #16993320 « NIKON Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II Released »
