kenzlenz Loc: Western North Carolina

I use a Nikon z9 body and have the F mount converter. When I am not using the 500 PF with 1.4 Converter, I use the Nikon 28-300. I need a sharper lens than the 28-300 and need to know if either the Nikkor 70-200s F or Z will be sharper and if the two ( Nikon z 70-200, Nikon AF-S 70-200 F mount) which would you recommend?

therwol Loc: USA

You might find someone who owns both who can offer an objective opinion, however unless you still use F mount cameras and plan to continue to do so, it would seem that the Z mount option or options would be best. The tests I've read tend to give virtually all of the Z mount lenses an edge anyway.

If you decide to go F mount, you might want to consider the 70-200 f/4 VR unless you absolutely need f/2.8. It's a very sharp, lighter lens than the 2.8 options.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

How sharp is sharp? I do not shoot with the 28-300 but my retired ophthalmologist does and I look at his images all the time and they look great to me. He shoots with a D750 and uses the lens with his 14-24 f2.8 in combination. He has taken his lens to Africa and the pictures he sent me to review were of excellent quality. It is said the 28-300 works better with some Nikon cameras than others but I have not used the lens and I cannot make any comments on it.

Ken Rockwell states, and I quote, that "sharpness depends a lot on us, not the lens" and I tend to agree. The sharpest lens on earth needs of good techniques or it will be useless. This is a variable aperture lens, maximum aperture will be f3.5 at its wider end and f5.6 as a tele. I would say that apertures between f8 and f16 should be the sharpest at the majority of the focal lengths but you will have to test that yourself. Nobody here will deny that the 70-200 is sharper but use it without good techniques and you could be disappointed.

All zoom lenses have optical compromises, we all know that but zooms made in the past 15 years are better than ever, especially professional lenses. Give your lens another chance, use a tripod with the longer focal lengths, raise the ISO speed, pay attention to the depth of field and I bet your pictures will look sharper.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

The Nikon 70-200 f/4 VR is half the cost, weight and size of the f/2.8 version. And every bit as sharp. I highly recommend it.

redtooth

I have done test with both of these lenses and the 70-200 is the sharpest lens in the house and I have many lenses . My 70-200 is an F lens - a little heavy but I am 89 and can handle it and you can also . I use it on my Z7 .

tca2267 Loc: Florida

I had the 70-200 f4 and used it on my
D850....When I sold the D850 and
70-200 f4 I got the Z9 and the
Z70-200 f2.8.... the Z70-200 is sharper..it is also heavier and more $$$....Really love it!

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

My 70-200 f4 is sharp on my D850 and D500 and Df. Not yet tested on my Zfc.

ColoPete

I have both the Nikon 28-300 (now discontinued) and the 70-200 f4, which I use on my D850. The 28-300 is very convenient, has decent image quality, and makes a good travel and walk around lens and for that reason gets more use, but it can't touch the 70-200 f4 for sharpness and overall image quality. It's probably the sharpest zoom lens I own. Don't take my word for it; check out the scores on DxOMark.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Like many, I have the f/2.8 F-mount trio. I've used them on cameras from the D200 to the D850. There's no question that the f/2.8 zooms are superior to the other lenses that I have and use extensively also. The focus in discussions here is always on sharpness, but there are other important differences among lenses that affect performance. For instance, I've been using the Nikkor 24-120 f/4 more and more lately. I like it a lot. You will read here from time to time that it suffers from distortion and lack of sharpness. I find neither of those to be an issue with either of my copies of that lens. But what I did discover is that they do not deliver as much color to the sensor. And the contrast is a little lower. Sharpness is fine. A couple of minor adjustments in the right place fix it fine, whether for SOOC or for the best editing starting point.

photoman43

I have two F mount Nikon 70-200mm lenses. The one I use the most is the 70-200mm f4. It is much lighter and its Image quality is great. The other is a f2.8, but not the latest F mount f2.8. I use it only when I need the extra f stop opening. I have not used either yet on my Z9, but would not have any problems is using the 70-200mm f4 on my Z9.

I suggest you rent the F mount you think fits your needs the most and decide for yourself which F mount you need to get.

I do not disagree what the reviewers say about the new Z mount lenses having an edge over the F mount lenses. For my needs, The Z mount f2.8 lenses cost way too much. I am quite content using my older F mount Nikon glass with my Z9. Recently instead of buying the Z mount 105mm f2.8 S lens for $1050 I bought a used F mount 105mm f2.8 G lens for $500.

kenzlenz Loc: Western North Carolina

Good info, thanks
K

kenzlenz Loc: Western North Carolina

thanks for your info
K

kenzlenz Loc: Western North Carolina

thanks for your info. Good to hear from someone who also owned the 28-300

kenzlenz Loc: Western North Carolina

thanks for the info
Ken

kenzlenz Loc: Western North Carolina

thanks for the info