I just got a Nikon Z6II but I have no clue how lenses work. Im going to Italy in three weeks and I really need one lens that can do everything because I dont want to carry a heavy bag. I dont really get the difference between primes and zooms or what the numbers mean so sorry if this is a dumb question.
- Budget: around 800 dollars
- Use: taking photos of buildings, food, and my husband
- Preference: not too heavy and only one lens if possible
Is there something that works for all of that or do I need more than one? The whole thing is just super confusing...
Look, i been shooting Nikon for years and honestly, the Z6II is a solid choice. Italy is gonna be amazing and you definitely dont want to be swapping lenses while eating pasta or walking through old cathedrals. Since youre new to the tech side of things, here is what i suggest for a single-lens setup that actually fits your budget and stays light.
This is basically the gold standard for travel. I used it on a trip last year and was totally satisfied with how it handled everything. The 24mm side is wide enough for those huge Roman buildings, and the 200mm zoom lets you get close-ups of your husband from across a piazza. It fits right in your budget around $800 and i have no complaints about the weight.
If you want something even smaller and lighter, this is a great bet. You can often find these for like $400-600 used or even on sale. I am very happy with the sharpness on this one, though it doesnt zoom nearly as far as the other one. Basically the numbers just tell you how much of the scene you see. Small numbers like 24 are for wide shots like buildings. Bigger numbers like 70 or 200 are for zooming in on stuff. Stick with a zoom lens for this trip so you have flexibility. Im happy with either of these for a one-lens kit, but the 24-200 is really the king of convenience for a first timer.
