Nikon’s New 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens Put to the Test at a Real Wedding

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens is one of those tools that can shape how you approach a wedding day. It’s versatile enough to carry you through both photography and video, which makes it a practical choice when you want to travel lighter or avoid juggling too many lenses. Weddings move quickly, and the ability to adapt in seconds matters.

Coming to you from Taylor Jackson, this detailed video takes you through a real wedding day using the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens. Jackson explains why zoom versatility outweighs shallow depth of field in fast-paced situations. He normally prefers primes like a 35mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8, but the zoom makes sense when you need both coverage and flexibility. He kept his kit minimal, with just the 24-70mm on one body and an 85mm on the other. He even brought a 24mm f/1.4 as backup for tricky low-light spots, but the zoom handled the majority of the day. The key takeaway here is that a lens like this lets you move fluidly without sacrificing too much in quality.

The video also shows how Jackson manages lighting challenges during a wedding. He prefers to lean on ambient light as much as possible, using flash or video lights only when needed. There’s an interesting debate he raises: is a flash burst or a constant video light more distracting to guests? He argues that most people understand you’re there to do a job, and occasional flashes are fine as long as you’re respectful. He also points out that fast autofocus and improved coatings on the new version of this lens make it a strong tool for video shooters. These are small but important details when you’re balancing photography and filmmaking in the same event.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 24 to 70mm

• Aperture: Maximum f/2.8, Minimum f/22

• Lens Mount: Nikon Z

• Minimum Focus Distance: 9.4 in (wide) to 1.1 ft (tele)

• Magnification: 1:3 macro reproduction ratio, 0.32x magnification

• Optical Design: 14 elements in 10 groups

• Aperture Blades: 11, rounded

• Image Stabilization: No

• Filter Size: 77mm

• Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.9 in (90 x 150 mm)

• Weight: 1.5 lb (675 g)

Jackson also touches on why some photographers might stick with the first version of this lens. If you already own it and only shoot stills, there may not be enough difference to justify the upgrade. For video shooters, though, the faster autofocus motors and internal zoom are strong reasons to consider the newer version. He demonstrates how well the lens handles high-contrast scenes, controlling flare and producing sharp, clean results. It’s not just technical; it’s about confidence in your gear when the light isn’t perfect. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Jackson.