Showcase Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3

[NCV]

I managed to pick up one of the first copies of this lens, when it arrived here in Italy. Today I stole a couple of hours to test it out with my Z7 out of town and then in the centre of Reggio Emilia.

I am very happy so far with this lens after a bad start. My Z7 still had V1 Firmare. The files loaded uncorrected into DXO my Raw software. also the VR was greyed out. V3 Firmware solved all the problems.

First impression are of a very versatile lens for travel and just casual out for a walk stuff. It seems very sharp, with good contrast, although I have not done any pixel peeping. It is quite liberating just to have one lens that deals with wide to long all in on lens.

I think I made the right decision to get the Z7+24-200 as a one lens hiking solution.

Recommended.

Here are some pictures that have been processed, with small adjustments to contrast, saturation and such. They are mostl uncropped.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

1 Lenin in Cavriago RE

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

2

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

3 Reggio Emilia

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

4

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

5 Tower House

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

6

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

7 Canossa

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

8

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

9

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

11

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

12 Reggio Emilia - Cropped

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

13

 

[Pa]

These look very good and are increasing the temptation level for me.

How about close focusing?

 

[Pa]

I find this data on minimum focus distance at NikonUSA:

1.64 ft. (0.5m) at 24mm zoom position
1.78 ft. (0.54m) at 35mm zoom position
1.81 ft. (0.55m) at 50mm zoom position
1.91 ft. (0.58m) at 70mm zoom position
2.14 ft. (0.65m) at 105mm zoom position
2.24 ft. (0.68m) at 135mm zoom position
2.30 ft. (0.7m) at 200mm zoom position

 

[pdk42]

2.3 ft at 200mm is pretty good. Should give reasonable close-ups. I think I want this lens!

 

[gryphon1911]

I already have my name on the list at 2 local stores. Once comes in and the credit card is going to get some exercise! LOL

 

[johnvanatta]

I don't see any color tinting on those fountains. Nicer bokeh than any zoom from 10 years ago. It looks like it's outperforming the listed specs.

 

[NCV]

These look very good and are increasing the temptation level for me.

How about close focusing?

I just had a couple of hours before and after a site meeting. So my test was just to get the feel of the lens.

The lack of lens profiles made me experiment with Capture One Nikon Express and Nikon NXD.

NXD seems clunky, but Capture One looks interesting as it has a different "look". DXO seems to be reading the lens profiles now that I have updated the firmware.

 

[NCV]

I don't see any color tinting on those fountains. Nicer bokeh than any zoom from 10 years ago. It looks like it's outperforming the listed specs.

Here is a closeup up the fountain in Capture One with just a touch of exposure lifting.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Indeed the colour tinting is good and can be improved with a little CA removal in post.

PS it looks worse here than FS on my screen at home.

 

[johnvanatta]

Yeah, I see tiny traces of purple there in the close up. Still, it's an excellent performance, on par with excellent apochromatic primes.

 

[NCV]

Yeah, I see tiny traces of purple there in the close up. Still, it's an excellent performance, on par with excellent apochromatic primes.

I noticed that one of the shots has colour fringing. It was processed in DXO which does not support this lens. I processed in Nikon NX D and it went away. This is a long lens shot with no PP in the blow up.

NXD seems to do the best conversions, but it is new to me and I am having getting problems getting results I like.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

This was processed in DXO and has purple fringing on the trees RHS

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

A quick and crude conversion and correction in Nikon NX D

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[johnvanatta]

I expect some amount of purple fringing on the edges and corners, the 24-70/4 certainly has its share, especially at the wide end.

 

[Randy]

I noticed that one of the shots has colour fringing. It was processed in DXO which does not support this lens. I processed in Nikon NX D and it went away. This is a long lens shot with no PP in the blow up.

NXD seems to do the best conversions, but it is new to me and I am having getting problems getting results I like.

View attachment 1665262
This was processed in DXO and has purple fringing on the trees RHS
View attachment 1665263
A quick and crude conversion and correction in Nikon NX D

View attachment 1665261

those look great, nice edge sharpness

 

[MNglass]

I noticed that one of the shots has colour fringing. It was processed in DXO which does not support this lens. I processed in Nikon NX D and it went away. This is a long lens shot with no PP in the blow up.

NXD seems to do the best conversions, but it is new to me and I am having getting problems getting results I like.

View attachment 1665262
This was processed in DXO and has purple fringing on the trees RHS
View attachment 1665263
A quick and crude conversion and correction in Nikon NX D

View attachment 1665261

Quite a color difference between those two - at least on my MBP. The top looks more cool/neutral and the bottom one is definitely pushing toward warm. Is it the same on your monitor?

 

[SRHEdD]

https://www.nikoncafe.com/threads/24-200-z-review.322643/

 

[Pa]

Quite a color difference between those two - at least on my MBP. The top looks more cool/neutral and the bottom one is definitely pushing toward warm. Is it the same on your monitor?

Yep. It looks like two different WB settings were used. Probably NXD honored the in-camera WB while DXO didn't.

 

[Palouse]

Yep. It looks like two different WB settings were used. Probably NXD honored the in-camera WB while DXO didn't.

I believe that while both NXD and DXO honor the camera WB settings, NXD may be slightly more accurate, i.e., it can match exactly the preset you set in-camera.

 

[SRHEdD]

I posted this in the other thread. SOOC JPG at 24mm.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Pa]

I believe that while both NXD and DXO honor the camera WB settings, NXD may be slightly more accurate, i.e., it can match exactly the preset you set in-camera.

I thought so, too, but these look pretty drastically different. That's something I would like to test.

 

[ijm5012]

This lens is looking more and more tempting as my primary travel lens. I may have to put my name on the list at my local dealer, and see how it compares to the 24-70/4 S.

If it‘s just as good as the 24-70 (or really close), then there’s no need to hold on to the 24-70 IMO.

 

[SRHEdD]

Sold mine already, redundant. Problem is value is low, $300-$350. Almost worth keeping on the shelf for that.