What is the best all-around lens for a Nikon Z6 right now? I'm planning a hiking trip to Maine in October and I really need one lens that can do it all so I'm not swapping glass in the wind and dirt.
I've been looking at the 24-70mm f4 S since its so small and cheap on the used market but then i see everyone online saying the 24-120mm f4 is the gold standard for travel. My budget is around $800-900 max. Is that extra reach really worth the weight jump for a 24mp sensor? Some people say the 24-70 is more than enough but I'm worried I'll miss the long end...
Maine in October is incredible but that wind at the summit of Cadillac Mountain is no joke for changing lenses. I did a similar trip to the coast last year and honestly... the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S was basically glued to my camera. You can find those used for like 350 or 400 bucks now since so many people sell them as kit leftovers. It is light enough that you wont even feel it in a hiking pack after six miles of elevation gain. The 24-120mm is definitely a better one-lens solution if you have the cash, but even used, it usually pushes right up against that 900 dollar limit. I remember being out on a trail with a heavier setup once and my neck was killing me by noon. The extra reach of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is nice for picking out distant details on the lighthouses, but for most landscape stuff in Maine, 70mm is usually plenty. Since you're watching your wallet, id say grab the 24-70mm and spend the leftover 500 dollars on a really nice circular polarizer like the B+W 72mm Master Circular Polarizer MRC Nano and maybe some better gear for the weather. You dont want to blow your whole budget on one lens if it means skipping out on the filters you need for those autumn colors. The Z6 sensor handles the 24-70 perfectly fine anyway and the image quality is really solid for what you pay.
