Is there a single lens for the Nikon Z system that actually does it all without needing to carry a backpack full of glass? Ive been shooting with my Z6ii for about a year now and Im honestly getting tired of swapping lenses every time I walk out the door.
I looked at the 24-120mm f/4 because everyone on YouTube keeps raving about it being the ultimate travel zoom, but then I read a few threads where people said the corners get kinda soft and it struggles in low light at indoor events. Then I checked out the 24-70mm f/2.8 S, which seems perfect quality-wise, but man, that price tag is tough for me right now—I really dont want to spend more than 1500 bucks if I can help it. My main use case is just family stuff and some light street photography when I visit the city next month, and I need something reliable because my daughter moves way too fast for me to be fumbling with gear changes. Should I just bite the bullet and save up for the 24-70 f/2.8 or is there a middle ground I'm totally missing here...
Honestly, skip the expensive 2.8 glass for now. I used to be obsessed with the heavy pro zooms, but for family shots and street stuff, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is actually a total workhorse. I've been using it on my Z6 for a while and the softness in the corners is way overblown by pixel peepers. Realistically, you're not gonna notice that unless you're shooting brick walls at f/4 all day. Since you're worried about the kiddo moving fast, the autofocus on this lens is snappy enough to keep up, and the extra reach to 120mm is a lifesaver when you can't get close to the action. It's way lighter than the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S too, which makes a huge difference if you're carrying it around the city all day. If you really get worried about low light, pick up a cheap Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 to keep in your pocket. It's super sharp, costs peanuts compared to the 2.8 zoom, and handles low light indoor stuff perfectly. You'll save yourself like a grand and honestly wont miss the heavy gear at all. Just grab the 24-120 and enjoy not swapping lenses, life is too short to fumble with caps while the kids are playing.
Like someone mentioned, the 24-120mm is decent, but if you want that extra light gathering for indoor events, have you looked into the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? It's way cheaper than the Nikon S-line glass and really sharp. Before you drop 1500, are you planning on shooting mostly in wide-angle or do you find yourself wanting more reach for your daughter's sports or candid moments at the park?
Totally agree with the others! If you want a killer setup without the massive price tag, look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S. Honestly, it is so sharp and way more compact than the 2.8 version.
- It is super lightweight for all-day carrying
- The constant aperture makes it reliable
- Prices are a steal on the used market Just grab that and a fast prime like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S for those low-light family shots. You will save a ton of cash!