@derekrath - If you find the 70-200 range valuable to have at times, go get the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8.
At 1.7 lbs. it's a half pound lighter than the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2.2 lbs).
I shoot sports professionally and have spent years pursuing only top-tier glass from Nikon & Canon. However, 'mirrorless glass' has become so good that even non-S-Line and non-L lenses can produce exceptional results.
I sold my NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (1st gen.) - one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used - and replaced it with the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8.
Love the lighter weight, smaller size (fits vertically in my bag!), and still very quick AF + great sharpness when filling the frame sufficiently.
Didn't expect to like it as much as I do
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All that said, since you mentioned you don't find the 70-200mm range all that useful, then I'd suggest figuring out which focal lengths you use most, and then finding lightweight zoom or prime combo that fills the gap.
I did a metadata study for my volleyball setup. Started with a 70-200mm and found it didn't blur the crowd enough on certain angles / distances. So, I looked at the metadata for an entire game and found I'm mostly around 85mm + 135mm.
Result?
I sold my 70-200mm, bought 85/1.2 + 135/1.8 primes, and haven't looked back.
@derekrath - If you find the 70-200 range valuable, go get the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8.
At 1.7 lbs. it's a half pound lighter than the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2.2 lbs).
I shoot sports professionally and have spent years pursuing only top-tier glass from Nikon & Canon. However, 'mirrorless glass' has become so good that even non-S-Line and non-L lenses can produce exceptional results.
I sold my NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (1st gen.) - one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used - and replaced it with the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8.
Love the lighter weight, smaller size (fits vertically in my bag!), and still very quick AF + great sharpness when filling the frame sufficiently.
Didn't expect to like it as much as I do
Oct 31, 2026 at 09:37 AM
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