Im heading out on a two-week trip to Scotland in exactly three weeks and I am honestly panicking about my gear situation. I bought a Nikon Z6II last month because I wanted to get into photography properly but I only have the kit lens and it just isnt cutting it for the landscapes and occasional street shots I want to capture. I have about 1000 bucks left in my budget for one good lens to keep on the camera the whole time.
Ive been scouring forums and watching reviews all night. Everyone keeps saying the 24-120mm f/4 S is the golden child because of the zoom range but then I read a thread where someone claimed the 24-70mm f/2.8 is the only way to go for sharpness. Im super confused because the 2.8 is way out of my budget unless I go used and even then its tight. Does the f/4 hold up well enough for low light in the Highlands or am I gonna regret not having that extra stop? I really need something versatile because I dont want to be swapping lenses in the rain. What is actually the best all-around lens for this system without breaking the bank...
Regarding what #2 said about buying a prime, honestly, just dont. Scotland rain is no joke! You really dont want to be swapping glass out there. Stick with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S. The extra reach is a lifesaver for Highlands vistas. I took mine through heavy mist last year and it handled everything perfectly. It is sharp enough, trust me! TL;DR: prioritize the weather sealing and range over that one extra stop.
Honestly, if you are heading to Scotland, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the way to go, but since you are worried about the low light, you should look into the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S and use the extra cash for a fast prime. Grab a Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S as well! It is super sharp and handles those dim, moody Highland afternoons way better than any zoom. Honestly, for landscapes, you really dont need 2.8 because you will be stopped down anyway, and the Z6II has amazing high ISO performance so the f/4 is totally fine. Switching lenses in the rain is annoying, but having that 50mm tucked in your pocket is a total lifesaver for the street stuff. You are gonna love it, trust me!
Honestly, grab the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and dont look back! I have used it extensively in the field, and the optical performance is just staggering for a zoom. It is basically the king of versatility for the Z system. Here is why that lens is perfect for Scotland:
- The 24-120mm focal length is a total dream for the Highlands. You get wide shots for those sweeping landscapes and enough reach to compress the scene without changing lenses in the rain.
- Sharpness across the frame is incredible. It honestly rivals my prime lenses. You really wont miss the 2.8 for landscape work since you are usually stopped down to f/8 or f/11 anyway.
- The build quality is fantastic and it handles weather sealing like a champ. Trust me, you dont want to be swapping glass in a Scottish downpour. Sure, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is a beast, but it is way heavier and twice the price. That extra stop is great for portraits, but for travel, the f/4 zoom range is a massive win. If you really get stuck in low light, just bump your ISO on the Z6II—it handles noise beautifully. Save your cash for a solid travel tripod or extra batteries instead. You are gonna have a blast!