The launch of the new Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II made me think. At $3,197/£2,999 at the time of launch, this is a seriously expensive lens that is surely out of reach for anyone other than a full-time pro who can treat this lens as a logical business decision.
We’ll leave aside the fact that when Nikon launched its precedessor it was the best 70-200mm f/2.8 lens ever. Now it’s not, of course, because this one is even better. Nikon is boasting of so many improvements, including sharpness, AF performance, size and weight that existing owners might be surprised their original version was such a dog. (It’s not, of course.)
The new lens does, naturally, cost more than the old one, and this prompted me to tot up the actual cost of the three main ‘trinity’ lenses for pros in 2026 for five different camera systems. For each, the lenses include an ultra-wide constant-aperture f/2.8, a 24-70mm f/2.8 standard zoom and a 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto. The results were very interesting indeed. And also, for full frame fans, perhaps rather alarming.
| US price (B&H | UK price (Wex) | |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | $2,097 | £2,359 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II | $2,797 | £2,599 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II | $3,197 | £2,999 |
| Nikon Z total | $8,091 | £7,957 |
| Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM | $2,399 | £2,399 |
| Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM | $2,599 | £2,499 |
| Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM | $2,799 | £2,999 |
| Canon RF total | $7,797 | £7,897 |
| Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II | $2,648 | £2,399 |
| Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II | $2,448 | £2,100 |
| Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II | $3,148 | £2,600 |
| Sony FE total | $8,244 | £7,099 |
| FUJIFILM XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR | $1,799 | £1,499 |
| FUJIFILM XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II | $1,399 | £1,149 |
| FUJIFILM XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR | $1,899 | £1,449 |
| Fujifilm X total | $5,097 | £4,097 |
| Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO | $1,699 | £1,249 |
| OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II | $1,099 | £899 |
| OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO | $1,799 | £1,299 |
| OM System total | $4,597 | £3,447 |
So what does all this tell us? Obviously a lot depends on the very volative tariff situation in the US, together with any special offers by importers in specific territories, so I’ve stuck to the full quoted list price, not any temporary deals. So here goes…
- For full frame systems, the cost of acquiring the three professional f/2.8 ’trinity’ zooms is very similar, at about $8,000/£8,000. Yes, that is A LOT of money. Camera makers have been sneaking up prices for years, first with the mirrorless revolution and its new generation of far superior lenses (we’re told) and subsequently with Mark II versions of lenses you kind of wish they had made that good in the first place.
- The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II may be painfully expensive, but that’s offset by the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S ultra-wide, which is a little cheaper than its Canon or Sony rivals.
- A Canon ‘trinity’ setup is slightly cheaper in the US than a comparable Nikon or Sony setup, but there’s really not much in it. UK users pay rather more for their Canon gear, and it’s been this way for years.
- A Sony ‘trinity’ setup is a little more expensive in the US, but considerably cheaper in the UK, where the three key professional zooms come in almost £1,000 cheaper in total than their Nikon and Canon equivalents. Where you live makes a difference.
- Fujifilm fans will be pleased to see that a comparable X-mount setup is massively cheaper than any of the full frame alternatives – around $3,000 cheaper in the US, and £3,000-4,000 cheaper in the UK. Fujifilm’s pro X-mount zooms may not be a whole lot smaller than their full frame counterparts, but are a great deal cheaper.
- An OM System pro ‘trinity’ lens setup is cheaper still, and the US prices quoted are what B&H is quoting as the ‘normal’ price – they were on offer at $200-250 less per lens when I checked. In the UK, the difference is similar, undercutting even the Fujifilm X prices.
Now for professsional full frame converts, the Fujifilm and OM System comparisons are academic since these users would not consider these smaller forrmats at all. But for anyone starting from scratch, or even considering a lighter/more affordable pro system, Fujifilm and OM System have a major advantage. Yes, they use smaller format sensors, but for the cost of ordinary ‘consumer’ zooms for a full frame setup you could get a pro lens setup with these smaller format cameras, with constant aperture f/2.8 zooms, professional optical quality and weather sealing.
Size and weight are often touted as the chief advantages of APS-C and Micro Four Thirds camera systems. Maybe so. But surely a far bigger factor is cost! For equivalent professional systems, you’re not talking about small savings, you’re talking about literally thousands of dollars/pounds.