Nikon’s New 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: The Real-World Tradeoffs Nobody Mentions

A lens like the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II tends to become the default choice when you need one zoom that can handle tight streets, indoor light, and quick portraits without swapping glass. If you shoot travel, events, or hybrid photo and video, the real question is not whether this range works, but whether this specific version earns its weight and cost in your bag.

Coming to you from Leigh & Raymond Photography, this methodical video puts the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II in the context most people actually live in: moving fast, dealing with mixed light, and not always knowing what the next block looks like. Leigh frames the 24-70mm f/2.8 category as the mandatory mid-range zoom because it covers wide angle through short telephoto while staying at f/2.8 the whole way. That matters when you want consistent exposure and the option for background blur without committing to primes all day. Leigh also draws a clean line between how zooms used to feel like a compromise and how the Nikon Z system lineup now pushes you toward preference and handling choices instead of fear that a cheaper lens will fall apart optically. You still have to decide what you value: speed at f/2.8, lighter carry, or a smaller kit that disappears on your shoulder.

The comparison thread is where the video gets useful without turning into spec-sheet noise. Leigh points out that within Nikon’s Z lineup, you can pick the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3, or the f/2.8 option and still expect strong sharpness. That shifts your decision toward practical tradeoffs: the size you will actually carry, the aperture you will actually use, and whether weather sealing changes how long you stay outside when conditions turn. The Seattle shooting portion is not just travel flavor; it is a stress test for a one-body, one-lens setup when you have limited time and you are bouncing between cityscape frames and quick portraits. Leigh also brings Raymond into the story with the Nikon Z5II as the body in hand, which keeps the discussion grounded in a current, real kit rather than a lab scenario.

Where the video starts raising higher-stakes questions is in the video handling details and the version two changes. Leigh highlights that this lens keeps its balance through the zoom range, which is exactly what you want when the camera is on a gimbal and you do not want to rebalance every time you change framing. Leigh also notes the new version is lighter than the prior model, which sounds minor until you walk all day and realize your pace and patience change with every extra ounce. Then there is the claim that image quality shows no obvious weak points across focal lengths and apertures and that it can be hard to tell the results apart from a fast prime unless you are chasing the extra stop or two beyond f/2.8. The more interesting part is not the praise, it is the buying logic: Leigh is clear about wanting it if starting fresh, while also being clear about not upgrading from the first version without a specific reason. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Leigh and Raymond.