Nikon Z Holy Trinity: The New S II Zooms Make Nikon's F2.8 Set the One to Beat
For a few years Nikon’s pro zooms were the heaviest of the big three. That changed in under a year. Nikon replaced its 24-70mm f/2.8 S in August 2025 and its 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S in February 2026, and both new versions are much lighter, focus faster and zoom internally. Paired with the 14-24mm f/2.8 S, they make a trinity that matches Sony’s G Master set on weight and beats it on features.
Here’s the full set, a cheaper alternative and a lighter one.
The S-line f/2.8 trinity
Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S. Nikon’s wide zoom launched in 2020 at $2,399.95 and weighs 650 grams. Unlike most 14mm zooms, it takes screw-in filters, though only big 112mm ones that screw into its included hood. It’s still current and still one of the sharpest wide zooms in any system.
Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. Announced in August 2025 at about $2,800, it weighs 675 grams, 130 grams less than the original. It uses Nikon’s new VCM focus motor, focuses internally and has an 11-blade aperture for round out-of-focus highlights. It has no VR, which matters little on bodies with in-body stabilization. It was the second best-selling new lens of 2025 at Map Camera in Tokyo, behind Nikon’s own 24-120mm f/4.
Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II. Announced in February 2026 at $3,196.95, it shipped in late March. It weighs 998 grams without the tripod collar, 362 grams less than the first version, and it now zooms internally, so its length doesn’t change. VR is rated at 5.5 stops, or 6 with Synchro VR on supported bodies, and the foot has an Arca-style dovetail, so it drops straight into most tripod heads.
The set costs about $8,400 at launch prices and weighs about 2.3 kilograms. On a Nikon Z8 or Z9, this is as good as zoom photography gets right now.
The non-S f/2.8 set: under half the price
Nikon also makes three compact f/2.8 zooms without the S badge: the Z 17-28mm f/2.8 ($1,199.95, 450 grams), the Z 28-75mm f/2.8 ($1,196.95, 565 grams) and the Z 70-180mm f/2.8 ($1,246.95, 795 grams). Together they cost about $3,640 and weigh about 1.8 kilograms.
They’re a little softer at the edges than the S lenses, with simpler sealing and slower focus motors. They’re still very good. The 17-28mm and 28-75mm share their optical designs with Tamron lenses, and Tamron also sells its own 28-75mm G2 and 70-180mm G2 in Z-mount. The Tamron 70-180mm G2 adds optical stabilization, which Nikon’s version lacks.
For a Z5II or Z6III owner, this set gives f/2.8 from 17mm to 180mm for less than the price of the 70-200mm S II and the 24-70mm S II together.
The f/4 route
Many Nikon shooters skip f/2.8. The Z 14-30mm f/4 S ($1,299.95, 485 grams) is small and takes normal 82mm filters. The Z 24-120mm f/4 S covers most of what a 24-70mm and half of a 70-200mm do. Add the Z 180-600mm for wildlife, and you have a three-lens kit from 14mm to 600mm for about $4,100 at launch prices.
Which set to buy
Wedding, event and sports pros: the S II pair plus the 14-24mm, ideally on two bodies.
Enthusiasts and hybrid shooters: the non-S f/2.8 set, or the Tamron equivalents.
Landscape, travel and everyone who mostly shoots outdoors: the f/4 route. The 24-120mm alone is the best-selling Nikkor for good reason, and the 14-30mm is the best small wide zoom Nikon makes.
If portraits matter more to you than reach, look at the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena before the 70-200mm. It’s a different tool, and many wedding shooters carry both.