I just got a Nikon Z6 ii because I wanted to take better pictures of my family and our upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon next month but oh man I am so lost looking at these lenses. Like I thought I just needed a camera and that was it but the guy at the store said I need good glass and now I'm staring at a screen of like fifty different options and my head is spinning. Sorry if this is a really stupid question but I dont really understand the difference between all these zoom lenses for the mirrorless stuff.
I'm looking for something that can do a bit of everything because I really dont want to be that person swapping lenses every five minutes while my kids are running around the park or climbing on stuff. My budget is probably around $1000 maybe $1200 if I really stretch it but cheaper is better obviously since I already spent a lot on the camera body itself. I saw one called a 24-70mm and then another one that was 24-120mm and I was thinking wouldnt the 120 be better because it goes further? But then the prices are all over the place and some say S-line and some dont and I have no idea if that actually matters for a beginner like me.
Is there like a gold standard one that everyone uses? I mostly just want clear photos of the kids and then some nice wide shots of the canyons when we get there in July. I live in Florida so it's mostly flat here and I'm not used to big landscapes yet so I want to make sure I have the right gear before we fly out. My logic was that a zoom is better than those fixed ones because I can just twist it and get closer but I dont know which one is actually the top one for a normal person who isn't a pro. Every review I watch uses words I dont know like chromatic aberration and aperture and I just want to know what to buy so I dont regret it...
Basically, the S-line tag just means premium. Its like the difference between a base model car and the luxury trim. The S-line lenses are technically sharper at the edges, but honestly, even the budget Z lenses are insanely good compared to old DSLR glass. If you arent planning on selling your photos to National Geographic, the non-S lenses will be more than enough for family memories. If you really want to avoid swapping lenses while the kids are running around, check these out:
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
- This is the king of travel lenses. It goes from wide to very long. It fits your budget perfectly and basically lives on the camera body all day.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8
- If you care more about those blurry backgrounds for portraits of your kids, this is the one. It doesnt zoom as far as others, but that f/2.8 aperture is a lifesaver in low light or indoors. Since you mentioned being confused by technical words, just focus on the f-number which is the aperture. A smaller number like f/2.8 means the lens lets in more light. Its great for indoor shots or making the background look soft. For big landscape shots at the canyon, you will probably be shooting during the day when there is tons of sun, so a lens with a higher number like the 24-200mm wont hold you back at all. Tbh, for a trip like yours, the extra zoom range is usually more helpful than a fancy aperture... just makes things easier when you cant get close to the action.
Just saw this thread and wanted to jump in since you mentioned the budget. Before you pull the trigger on anything though, how much of this is gonna be indoor shooting versus outdoor in the sun? That f-stop number (the aperture) really dictates how the lens handles low light, so it is a pretty big factor if youre chasing kids around a living room versus the bright desert sun. If you want the absolute most bang for your buck and maximum dont-make-me-change-lenses vibes, you should look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR. Its technically not an S-line, so the technical specs show a bit more vignetting and it gets darker as you zoom in, but for a trip to the Grand Canyon where you have tons of light, its a beast. You get way more reach than the 120mm for those distant ridge lines and it basically lives on the camera. The 24-200 is usually around 900 bucks, but you can often find it cheaper on the Nikon refurbished site. Another sleeper hit if you want better blurry backgrounds is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8. It doesnt zoom as far, but that f/2.8 aperture is a data point you cant ignore for low light. Tbh, the 24-200 is probably your best bet for a one and done travel lens without blowing your whole 1200. It has built-in Vibration Reduction too, which works with your Z6 ii to keep things sharp when youre tired and shaky after hiking...
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.
I saw this earlier but just getting back to my desk now. Honestly, you gotta be careful about the weight factor when youre hiking with the fam. I remember my first trip to the desert with a big mirrorless setup and I brought this massive, expensive zoom because I thought I needed the absolute best specs. By day three, I was so sick of lugging it around that I almost left the camera in the hotel room. It was just too heavy to manage while also keeping an eye on the kids near the rim. I learned that for me, reliability and portability mattered way more than having every single bell and whistle. My current setup is much lighter and it made the whole trip way more enjoyable. Just make sure to consider how that lens is gonna feel after four hours in the sun, especially if youre already carrying water and snacks for everyone else. If its too big, youll find reasons not to use it, which is the last thing you want on a trip like that. Sometimes simple is better when youre just trying to capture memories.
Honestly you hit the nail on the head thinking about that 24-120! I have one and it is basically the only lens I ever use now. Since youre heading to the Grand Canyon you definitely want that extra reach but also the wide end for those massive landscape shots. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is seriously the gold standard for travel because it is super sharp and honestly built like a tank. It fits right in your budget too! If you really want to save some cash tho you could look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR. Its cheaper and goes even further which is amazing for kids playing far away. I was so nervous about buying my first lens but seriously either of these will make your Z6 ii sing! Just grab one and go enjoy your trip!!
