Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
Z Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Reasons to Buy Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8 Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180mm F2.8 lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
Weather-sealed |
Autofocus |
Focus Range Limiter |
Programmable Control Ring |
Compatible with Nikon Teleconverters |
Hood supplied |
Zoom Lock |
Fast Aperture at Wide end |
Fast Aperture at Tele end |
Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range |
Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
Minimum focus distance of 0.27m / 10.6 inch |
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Lens Extends while zooming |
Pricey |
Lens Mount
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is compatible with cameras that have a Nikon Z lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon Z lenses are Nikon Zf, Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z30.
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Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a maximum diameter of 84mm and total length of 151mm when not extended. It weighs 795g / 28.0 oz.
Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 and Nikon Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S (Nikon Z mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Comparison image of the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 and the Nikon Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S Size and Weight
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 Size
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a filter thread of 67mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8:
Focal Range
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a focal range of 70-180mm and 2.6X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 270mm.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 changes below:
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
Weather Sealings of the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
The Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Nikon Zf, Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z30.
Optical Image Stabilization
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Nikon Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S in Nikon Z mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 With Optical Image Stabilization
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 MTF Charts
Below you can find the MTF chart of Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 which would give an idea of the its contrast and resolution from the center to its edges.
MTF Chart of the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
MTF Chart of the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
Zoom Method
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Zoom Lock
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.48x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.27m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.48x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Aperture
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 70mm all the way to the 180mm .
Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
70mm
|
F2.8 |
F22 |
180mm
|
F2.8 |
F22 |
Optical Formula
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8's optical formula consists of 19 elements in 14 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 5 ED elements
- 1 Super ED
- 3 aspherical elements
Optical Construction of the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
Lens Hood
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 comes with a removable petal shaped lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is Nikon HB-32.
What's in the Box of Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8:
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 Lens (Nikon Z) Nikon LC-67B 67mm Snap-On Front Lens Cap Nikon LF-N1 Rear Lens Cap Nikon HB-113 Lens Hood for NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 Lens Nikon CL-C2 Soft Lens Case Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Body Colour
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is available in Black color.
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 Attached to a camera
Popular Comparisons of Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 Lens
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