The reason why many people or reviewers are not concerned about the “Made in” because it is just a personal preference, it is nothing to do with the quality of the product as long as the brand name is Nikon, plus Nikon start making their products in Thailand very very long time ago, it’s not something new. Even the great D850 was made in Thailand. And the whole world praised that camera and never was an issue where it made in.

Not made in Japan. Got it. Hate to break the news to you....Japanese manufacturing is not what it use to be in terms of quality. Like in the US, many things that use to be made here have been outsourced to countries that are less expensive to manufacturer. Doesn’t necessarily mean the quality has dropped. Also, it goes to reason that if this is plastic, as you said multiple times (like repeating it yourself), and it weighs more than the old 70-200mm lens, that would suggest that the glass in the new Z lens has some superior optical properties.

Ken would give this lens a positive review if it was a blind test, but "Made in Thailand" automatically means that the lens is bad. (No, I'm not Thai.) You are (of course) entitled to your opinions based on nation of manufacture, but I'd rather see an objective analysis of the lens rather than an indictment of the country of manufacture. And saying that this lens is inferior to the older F mount lens is simply ridiculous. C'mon, Ken.

Always a brilliant review on whatever subject you cover

Had the 70-200 FL for a couple of years and sold it to buy this lens. Don't understand what you mean by less professional than the FL version. I have tried both and this feels much more professional and i do see better results (on the zii and yes i had the adapter for the zii to use with the FL version), specifically in terms of sharpness (slightly better than the FL), has no cromatic aberration and minimal flare in comparison. Also focus much closer. The length and weight is the same...so i don't get your conclusions? This is a btter lens than the FL...no doubt whatosover. Sounds like a weird review for someone that used both lens.

It's 2020 and yet anything not made in Japan or made with plastic equals to poorer quality. Was there a test made comparing the materials used for the FL vs Z lens under fair use to quantitatively conclude one is better than the other and how much?

Hi Ken . I’m using z8 with 70-200 ed fl version and I’m loving it except when using the VR mode it seem like sensor shift a little bit when press the shutter button but if using sport mode it doesn’t do that . Do you have any of that experience with z9 or z lense ? Thank you .

Superb review Ken, thanks for sharing it with us!

I was excited about the Canon at first, when I saw how short and stubby it was, and indeed, it's quite a bit lighter and balances quite a bit better. However, both the hood and tripod collar for the Canon are ridiculous, I suspect they may have just borrowed the enormous hood from the 100-500 RF, it utterly dwarfs the lens in terms of the diameter of the hood, and makes it take up way more space in your camera bag. Also, the Canon changed its zooming throw, and now requires two good cranks of a full hand-grip, even with my large hands, whereas the older Canon 70-200's (and Nikons) with their closer, easier zoom rings could be racked from 70-200 with just a flick of your pinky finger without changing the rest of your hand-holding grip on the lens. All in all, not a total win for Nikon, as I would have liked to see it be lighter and shorter, indeed, but certainly a lot of annoyances to go along with the Canon, and I would honestly just go with the Tamron 70-180 2.8 (when it eventually becomes available for these mounts) instead, *IF* I cared about size/weight as much as some people seem to. In either case, both the Nikon an the Canon (and the Tamron) utterly destroy the Sony 70-200 2.8 GM, for what it's worth; it has become very clear that Sony needs to make a mk2 70-200 2.8 ASAP, and considering the size & weight of their current model, I doubt their mk2 will be any lighter or smaller than this Nikon; it'll probably be just as expensive, or moreso, too. I never had a problem with the Nikon tripod foot, I always just took off the included one and then used that exposed 1/4-20 screw to attach a smooth, slim, low-profile generic RRS plate with nice rounded edges (MPR-73) and doing that has spoiled me to ALL tripod feet, because it gives me access to Arca-Swiss clamping yet is literally just a few extra mm of girth to the lens overall. Don't care where the lens is made, in fact all-metal lenses never saved me any coin; when they impact nice and hard the metal permanently warps and then it's aluminum grind shavings everywhere, and a $600+ repair; with high-grade plastic externals, even the hardest impacts seem to be absorbed no problem, and the external barrel parts just keep their shape perfectly. Totally happy with high-grade plastic externals surfaces, as long as the guts inside are strong. TLDR, get the F-mount FL 70-200 if you really appreciate that SLR feel and functionality, with the focus distance window and "real" manual focus ring, etc...

Looks like a superb lens, sharp and beautiful color from the picture you shown.

Nice review kenrockwell. Currently using z6. Thanks for the review

Great and Honest Review... Thanks Ken !

Great channel Ken! You should create playlists for different brands. Thank you for your reviews, and don't mind those who can't stand strong opinions and enthusiasm

I own this lens and it’s all metal and the fact that it is made in Thailand makes no difference. It the quality of the lenses that counts.

Does the Japan-made FL F-mount lens compare well optically with this Z-mounted one?

Mr Ken, I hav 24-70 2.8E series, am confused on what to buy between FL or Z S series 70-200mm, considering d future, am using DSLR for d NOW . Please, i need your ADVICE

Most reviewers are calling this the best 70-200 2.8 in the history of cameras!

It's a very good lens and the images are excellent... however I absolutely hate the location of the zoom ring being at the far end of the lens vs where the current focus ring is... those need to be switched.

You are amazing photographer!!

Thanks for your thoughts Ken.👍

So it’s becoming apparent to me that although you can get away with a slower lens on a mirrorless camera - i.e. you don’ really need large apertures for most shots and since the viewfinder is electronic the image is always bright for composing etc - but, a lens with an aperture of f2.8 or larger - especially one with a constant aperture - will autofocus faster and more accurately on any camera.

I wished Canon zoom was internal, I still believe if your doing sports the Nikon will hold up better in a collision, or ball hitting it. And the elements seem to be more weather resistant. There is pressure from sports photographers for Canon to change it back to the previous design.

Silly question are the Ken Rockwell that does the reviews on all brands of cameras on the net ? As if you are standing reviews I was reading about the 45 Techihara tell me I actually trust your reviews as they are very in-depth I’m looking a a 45 made buy Chamonix and I was looking at the Techihara I’m addicted to film , I can only shoot on a tripod as I only have one working arm and hand unlucky for me it’s my right hand but I work round it Best Regards

Doesn’t the Canon lens have an external zoom? Not a fan of that for a “pro”-type lens.

Great review! Thanks!

where do you get your hand model?

Mr ken, am using 24-70mm 2.8E series on My DSLR, and still having passion of buying 70-200 FL & some of my colleagues are telling ME to buy Z s series for d FUTURE sake, am CONFUSED . what's YOUR ADVICE to ME NOW 15:08

Doesn't Nikon claim that it is a magnesium alloy and not plastic? Or is just a part of the lens magnesium?

Would love your advice. I would like a non $2K super zoom I can use with my Z50 to take photos of my boys playing baseball & football. I would like a decently fast lens. I’m ok using the FTZ adapter. I’m so tempted by this lens but over $2K is more than I can spend. I have the AF-P 70-300 VR but want something faster. Thank you Ken.

Is there a Z5 review coming soon?

When I first heard about this lens and its incredible near-focus range I was excited - now I see how it misses a lot switches that I would like to have and also not including a arca-swiss mount is kinda sad... I personally use the G2 version of Tamrons version on my Z6 with FTZ and I am really happy I didn't wait for this lens. Nikon probably has to save a lot of money, so I can understand some of their choices - for the price thou, it is kinda sad. Thanks Ken

Ken I very much respect your very unbiased comprehensive real world review As we have discussed before, these modern lenses are superb optically but being unhappy with plastic made Thailand build is unwarranted, as long before it ever fails, it will be out of date as technology is speeding up so much these days and digital cameras are probably never going to become collectable classics All the very best for 2021

The Canon is smaller and shorter BUT its a Dust Sucker in the Dust of the African Bush

Ken you are funny, a person can lick the lens and put it back in the box and you would never know, ha, ha ha.

Wow just wow

Thanks Ken, great video. Been reading your reviews for years. I sold a 300mm f2.8 VRII and a 400mm f2.8 af-s ii because of how slowly they focused on the Z6 with the FTZ adapter. The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 s is on the way and I'm hoping focus speed isn't terrible. Really would like some longer glass to come along for mirrorless.

When is Nikon Z6 II review coming, Ken? :)

Ken, if you had neither the older 70-200 FL (all metal build) or the new Z 70-200 S (nor the FTZ adapter) which would you buy to use on your Z9? How concerned should I be with the plastic incorporated into this lens? Thank you 🙏

How does it compare to the Canon RF 70-200mm 2.8 L lens?

You failed to mention that zoomed in at 200 mm at minimum focus your not getting 200 mm more like 140 mm .

Ken your the master photography gear-head. Awesome.

The older FL version looks much better, also some $600 cheaper. Nikon is catching on and starting to discontinue supporting those great f mount lenses. Picture your brand new Z9 mounted to a cheap looking plastic lens. 🤔 I compared your online reviews using the D810 with the 70-200 FL to the one with the Z7 using the 70-200 S lens. I thought the D810 with the 70-200 FL lens was better. The FL came with a 5 year warranty too. Bottom line is too much plastic for such pricey lens. At least Nikon could have kept the gold trimming..

There are plastics in the world who are stronger than metal, just saying🤷‍♂️

You spend $2600 and it looks like a Tamron or Sigma that's made in China for less than half the price. Nikon should just raise their prices $200 like Sony and Canon and bring the gold & "Made in Japan" back. WTF Nikon.....

Too funny every every lense you mention that it can take sharp pictures and if the viewer dose not get sharp pictures it's the lack of skill🤣

Hi Ken It’s a shame these top end expensive lenses are not made in Japan Although the images are superb as was expected , there is once again nothing exciting to get photographers using other brands to come across All the very best and great presentation

What a joke. A 2700+$$$ lens made in thailand ?? no wonder Nikon's sales are going down and the company is about to go bankrupt. Lens making in Japan is considered to be craftsmanship, workers have to train their skills for years. Canon lenses that are made in Japan are made by people who train and study fo years, and are supervised by senior lens craftsmen, and it's a well paying job that workers take pride doing for the rest of their lives. There is no way off-shored lenses with cheap labor and human exploitation can match them. Again thank you Ken for always pointing out were the lenses are made. No other reviewers on youtube has the courage to do this, specially the big channels.

Sadly I think the price is very high for a plastic lens made in Thailand....