The Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is one of eight new lenses to appear on the latest version of Nikon’s Z Lens Roadmap. And this is excellent news for those of us looking for a decent, fast-aperture telephoto lens yet unwilling to haul the heavyweight Nikon Z 70-200mm F2.8.
But although the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is yet to receive a release date, it may already be here.
Table of Contents
- What is the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
- What is the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8
- Is the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 worth it?
- Conclusion
What is the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8
The Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is a fast medium-range telephoto zoom lens for Nikon Z mount and a lightweight alternative to the pro-grade Nikon Z 70-200mm F2.8. But more specifically, it could be a rebadged Tamron 70-180mm F2.8. Read What is a Fast Lens.
This wouldn’t be the first time Nikon has claimed a third-party lens as its own. The recently released Nikon Z 28-75mm F2.8 is based on the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. Read Nikon 28-75mm F2.8 Compared.
$50 OFF TOPAZ PHOTO AI 2
ONLY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22ND. READ TOPAZ PHOTO AI REVIEW
What is the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8
The Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 is a medium-range telephoto zoom built by Tamron for Sony’s E mount and, by many accounts, is a good lens.
As well as being a lighter alternative to pro-style 70-200mm F2.8, it’s also smaller than many 70-200mm F4 lenses despite featuring a large, twice-as-bright F2.8 aperture.
Of course, there’s no such thing as free lunch, and in this case, the Tamron and Nikon 70-180mm lose 20mm at the long end of the zoom. As a result, the Tamron and Nikon Z 70-180mm angle-of-view maxes out at 13.7-degrees compared to the 12.3 degrees at 200mm.
On the plus side, the Tamron 70-180 mm minimum focus distance means it has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.6, which is impressive.
$50 OFF TOPAZ PHOTO AI 2
ONLY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22ND. READ TOPAZ PHOTO AI REVIEW
Is the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 worth it?
The Tamron 70-180 is an excellent lens and presents a unique alternative to the typical 70-200mm F2.8 and 70-200mm F4 lenses. So long as you don’t mind giving up 20mm, the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 is a very bright and compact lens suitable for many kinds of photography, such as sports and portraiture.
Get Discounts on Photo Editing Software
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and be notified of deals and discounts on photography software from ON1, Adobe, Luminar, and more. Spam Promise: Just one email a week, and there’s an unsubscribe link on every email.
Conclusion
This post is based on the assumption the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 will be a rebadged Tamron 70-180mm F2.8. In reality, Nikon may be making a bespoke alternative.
What the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 means for the still absent Nikon Z 70-200mm F4 remains to be seen. Traditionally, Nikon hasn’t been too enthused about the 70-200mm F4 format, only producing one for its DSLR F Mount while making at least three versions of the 70-200mm F2.8.
Regardless, the Tamron 70-180mm is a refreshing take on an old formula that required you to choose between a smaller lens or a large aperture. With the 70-180mm F2.8, you can have both so long as you’re happy to be taxed 20mm.
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and be notified of the latest deals and discounts on photography software and gear. Subscribe Now.
Related Reading
Nikon Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 Compared
Nikon Z 26mm F2.8 Compared – Every Day is Pancake Day!
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 – A rebadged Tamron 70-180mm F2.8??
Nikon Z 50mm F1.8? | Will Nikon ever make another Nifty Fifty?
Recent Posts
DxO PureRaw vs Topaz Denoise AI – Hard Choices
DxO PureRAW Review – PureRaw 3 Tested and Compared
Creative Journey Pass in Luminar Neo – 6 New Features Explained
Lightroom vs Topaz Photo AI 2 – Upscaling and Denoising Tested
Topaz Photo AI Review – Topaz Photo AI 2 Tested
