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.

Like someone mentioned, the smaller f4 zoom is such a steal these days, and I used it for a solid year with no complaints. But I actually just got back from a trip where I used the longer version, the one with that extra reach. I gotta say I'm really satisfied with how it handled. I was out on some narrow trails and honestly, being able to punch in on distant details without shuffling closer to a ledge was a relief. Since we've got the 24mp sensor on the Nikon Z6, I learned pretty quick that I cant just crop my way out of every situation like the Z7 shooters do. My current setup is a bit heavier, sure, but on the trail it felt fine... my legs gave out way before my shoulders did lol. Not having to expose the sensor to the salt air and wind while swapping glass was the best part tho. For me, that extra range was totally worth the trade-off.

Building on the earlier suggestion, having that extra reach is definitely necessary, but unfortunately I found the 24-120mm f4 to be a bit of a letdown for the price they are asking. It feels heavy after six miles and it is still not quite long enough for some of those coastal shots. If you are on a budget, dont ignore the superzoom.

• Grab a Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR instead.
• Its way cheaper than the 24-120, usually around $600 used, leaving you plenty of room in that $900 budget.
• Honestly, the image quality is surprisingly good for a non-S lens. I was disappointed by the variable aperture at first, but for landscape work at f/8 or f/11, you wont see a difference on a Z6 sensor. The 24-70mm is just too short for Maine. Youll spend the whole time wishing you could zoom in on the lighthouses or seals. Stick to the 24-200 and save your money for the actual trip.

Honestly glad I found this thread because I am struggling with the exact same choice for my Z6 right now. It is so frustrating trying to find that one perfect lens that wont break the bank or my back on a long hike. I actually borrowed a Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S last weekend to test it out and unfortunately it just felt way too short for landscapes where I couldnt physically get closer. Kinda bummed because the price is so good but I know I would just be cropping every single shot which defeats the purpose of the full frame sensor imo. Quick tip since you are headed to Maine tho: whatever you end up picking, make sure you grab a high quality protective filter like the B+W 72mm Master Clear Filter with MRC Nano Coating. The salt spray and sand at the coast will absolutely wreck your front element if you arent careful. Also, definitely double check the weather sealing on used copies if you go that route... some of those kit lenses have seen some real abuse and you dont want moisture getting in there during a rainy trek.