Re: > honestly getting sick of swapping primes... honestly, dont overspend. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S is way cheaper used, plus it leaves cash for a cheap Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 Z.

Honestly, ditch the primes if you want to actually enjoy your walk around Chicago. I moved from the kit lens to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and havent looked back. Its heavier, sure, but that extra reach at 120mm is a total game changer for street stuff when you dont want to get in someones face.

• The reach is way better for travel.
• Sharpness is basically top tier.
• Constant f/4 is perfectly fine for daylight. If you want something lighter, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S is decent, but you will definitely miss that 120mm end once you start cropping. The 24-120 is worth the weight trade-off every single time imo. It just works well for everything I throw at it, even with the Z6. Grab it and just go shoot.

> honestly getting sick of swapping my primes every ten minutes I totally get that. If you want versatility, definitely prioritize reach. The constant f/4 is usually fine for street stuff unless you're shooting in pitch black alleys. Just watch out for lens creep on the longer zooms; it can be annoying when walking around. Check out the lens comparison tools on DPReview if you want to see how the sharpness drops off at full zoom. It helps with the decision.

To add to the point above: the 24-70mm f/4 is definitely the safer bet if you prioritize weight and consistency over range. I've lugged around heavy gear for years and honestly, if the setup is too bulky, it just ends up staying in the bag at home. Before you pull the trigger on anything, I have to ask: do you do more wide-angle architecture shots in the city, or do you find yourself needing to isolate subjects from a distance more often?

• Knowing your preference between wide vs. telephoto would make this much easier.
• Are you worried about weather sealing given the Chicago winters? That would change my recommendation quite a bit tbh.

Coming back to this thread after testing my own gear down by the river this afternoon. I learned the hard way last year when I tried traveling with a heavier setup through O'Hare and my shoulders were completely dead by day two.

• watch out for front heavy balances on smaller bodies
• check weather sealing specs if you are shooting by the lakefront in winter
• pay attention to minimum focus distances for close up details I ended up ditching my heavy zoom for a more modest travel setup and honestly my lower back has never been happier. Just make sure to test the physical weight in a shop before your trip next month.