I recently purchased the new Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera and I'm looking to put together a compact two lens kit for general purpose photography - portraits, travel, landscapes, etc. If you could only choose two native Z-mount lenses to pair with the Z8, which would you recommend and why?
Some lenses I'm considering:
- NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S - Pro level standard zoom
- NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S - Ultra-wide angle zoom
- NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S - Telephoto zoom
- NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S - Fast prime for portraits/low light
- NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S - Macro lens
I'm leaning towards the 24-70mm f/2.8 as an all-purpose workhorse and one of the primes, either the 50mm f/1.2 or 105mm macro. The 24-70mm covers a very useful focal range and the fast primes would complement it well.
But I'd love to get other Nikon shooters' opinions. If you were building a two lens kit for the Z8, which lenses would you choose and why? How do you think they would work as a versatile combo?
Hi @tom8, congrats on your new Nikon Z8! I think you're on the right track with your lens considerations. Here's my take on a versatile two lens kit for the Z8:
- Covers the most useful standard zoom range from wide angle to short telephoto
- Pro-level optics for exceptional sharpness, contrast and color rendition across the frame
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture is great for low light and subject isolation
- Ideal as a general purpose, walk-around lens that can handle a variety of situations
The 24-70mm f/2.8 is the foundation of many pro photographers' kits for good reason. On the Z8 it will give you a lot of flexibility for everything from landscapes to portraits.
- Super fast f/1.2 aperture is perfect for portraits, low light, and extreme subject isolation
- Pristine prime lens optics for ultimate sharpness and rendering
- 50mm focal length provides a natural perspective for a variety of subjects
- Pairs well with the 24-70mm when you need a faster aperture or prefer primes
The 50mm f/1.2 is an exceptional lens and one of the best in the Z lineup. It will really shine mounted on the high resolution Z8 for portrait work and available light shooting.
While a macro like the 105mm f/2.8 is also an excellent choice, I feel the 50mm f/1.2 may be a bit more versatile as your second lens. You can always add the macro later to expand your kit.
The 14-24mm and 70-200mm zooms are stellar performers too. But for a compact two lens kit, I think the 24-70mm and 50mm f/1.2 primes will give you the most flexibility and image quality in a small package.
@sarah You can take a look at renewed Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens at Amazon: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Nikon+Nikkor+24+70mm+2+8+Renewed&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50
I would choose:
- NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S - Telephoto zoom
- NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S - Fast prime for portraits/low light
I suggest you take a look at Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 lens. This is another great standard zoom lens with a cheaper price range.
For me, the best two lenses for Nikon Z8 are Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S for versatility in normal range photography, and Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S for excellent telephoto performance. Both lenses offer exceptional image quality and advanced features, making them ideal for various shooting conditions.
Here are two outstanding lens options that complement your Z8 well:
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- Why It's Great: This lens is a staple for many photographers due to its versatility. The f/2.8 constant aperture provides excellent low-light performance and depth of field control. It's ideal for everything from landscapes to portraits, making it an excellent all-around lens for the Z8.
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- Why It's Great: This lens is perfect for capturing subjects at a distance. The f/2.8 aperture is great for portrait photography and allows for great background blur. It also features exceptional optical quality, image stabilization, and weather sealing, making it suitable for various shooting conditions.
Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.
For Nikon Z8, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is ideal for versatile shooting, offering sharp images across various focal lengths and NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S excels in portrait photography, delivering stunning bokeh and excellent low-light performance. Both lenses enhance the camera's capabilities and image quality.
Prime Lenses:
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- Description: This is a fantastic standard prime lens that delivers sharp images with beautiful bokeh. Its wide f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control. It's highly regarded for portraiture and general photography.
- Best-selling: It's frequently a top choice for Z-series shooters for its versatility and quality.
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- Description: A favorite among portrait photographers, the 85mm focal length combined with a fast f/1.8 aperture produces stunning images with excellent detail and creamy backgrounds. It also has a solid build quality and is known for its sharpness.
- Best-selling: This lens has gained popularity for its performance in portrait work, making it a best-seller in the Z lens lineup.
Zoom Lenses:
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Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
- Description: This is a professional-grade standard zoom lens that offers a versatile focal range ideal for everything from landscapes to portraits. With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it performs well in low-light conditions and provides beautiful image quality throughout its zoom range.
- Best-selling: It's one of the most popular lenses among Z-series users due to its exceptional quality and versatility.
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Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
- Description: This telephoto zoom lens is perfect for wildlife, sports, and portrait photography. It features a fast f/2.8 aperture throughout its focal range, providing great low-light performance and a shallow depth of field.
- Best-selling: As one of the premier telephoto lenses for Nikon's Z system, it has become a favorite among professionals, making it a top seller in the category.
Came here to say the same thing lol. Great minds think alike I guess.
If I could only have two Z-mount lenses for the Nikon Z8, I would choose the:
- NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
- NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
The 24-70mm f/2.8 is an essential standard zoom that covers a versatile range from wide angle to short telephoto - perfect for landscapes, environmental portraits, street photography, and more. With a fast constant aperture, it excels in low light and creates nice background blur for subject isolation. Optically, it's tack sharp edge to edge.
Pairing it with the 70-200mm f/2.8 gives you an awesome zoom range in a compact two lens kit. The 70-200mm is ideal for portraits with flattering compression and it brings far away subjects much closer for sports, wildlife, and travel. Like the 24-70mm, it has a fast f/2.8 aperture for blurring backgrounds and stellar image quality across the entire frame. The vibration reduction (VR) stabilization lets you shoot handheld even at slower shutter speeds.
Together, these two pro-level zooms strike a versatile balance of wide-angle and telephoto coverage while maintaining a portable kit. With professional sharpness, speed, and low light performance, they will serve you well for almost any shooting scenario.
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I suggest you take a look at Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 lens. This is another great standard zoom lens with a cheaper price range.
Any review and test about this new lens ?
I agree that the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S makes an excellent all-around lens choice. To maximize versatility in a two lens kit, I'd pick up a prime lens as well - either the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S macro that you mentioned. The 50mm is a fantastic normal prime, great for environmental portraits, low light and shallow depth-of-field. The 105mm gives you more working distance for headshots and tight portraits, plus doubles as an outstanding macro lens. Both are top notch S-line glass. I'd lean 50mm for more general use, but 105mm if portraits and macro are priorities.
Nikon Z8 is a high-performance mirrorless camera that benefits from a range of excellent lenses. Here are two of the best lenses you might consider for the Nikon Z8, depending on your photography needs:Â Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SÂ and Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.