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Best Two Lenses for Nikon Z8 ?

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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:

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?


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15 Answers
13

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:

1. NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

  • 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.

2. NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

  • 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.


2340 26/05/2024 2:36 am

@waterme Agree with you.


Sarah 07/06/2024 9:53 am

@waterme Are there any used deals on Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens ? It is a bit expensive for me.


Kate_Landry 05/08/2024 6:10 am
6

I would choose:


6

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.


Veeeemp 03/09/2024 12:40 pm

@klllwme Yes, much cheaper than NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.


6

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.

 

5

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lenses.


4

Here are two outstanding lens options that complement your Z8 well:

  1. Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S:

    • 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.
  2. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S:

    • 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.

3

Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.


2

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.


2

Prime Lenses:

  1. Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

    • 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.
  2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S

    • 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

2

Came here to say the same thing lol. Great minds think alike I guess.


1

If I could only have two Z-mount lenses for the Nikon Z8, I would choose the:

  1. NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
  2. 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.

 


1

Posted by: @klllwme

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 ?


1

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.


1

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:  Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.


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