Im getting super stressed out trying to pick a new lens for my Z6ii. I have a trip to Italy coming up in about three weeks and I feel like Im gonna have a panic attack if I dont get this figured out soon because I really dont want to be lugging around a bag full of glass while trying to navigate Rome. My budget is around 1000 bucks tops.
I keep reading that the 24-70mm f/4 S is the sensible choice because its sharp and compact but then I see people on Reddit swearing that the 24-120mm f/4 S is the only way to go for travel versatility. Im worried the 24-120 is gonna be too big and heavy for an all-day walkaround lens though. Does that extra reach actually make a difference for street photography or will I regret the size trade-off? I just want one lens that can handle architecture, some portraits, and maybe a bit of candid stuff without me needing to swap glass every five minutes. Is the 24-70 actually enough or is the 24-120 worth the extra weight for a trip like this?
Regarding what #1 said about sticking to Nikon glass, they are spot on for reliability! I love my Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S but it is a bit hefty. Before you drop your entire budget, what kind of bag are you carrying? If you're tight on space and cash, check out the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S on the used market. You can save hundreds! Do you plan on doing mostly wide landscape shots or tight street portraits?
@Reply #2 - good point! That weight really does sneak up on you after ten hours of walking through cobblestone streets in the summer heat. I remember my first trip to Europe with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, and yeah, by day three my neck was screaming. It is a fantastic piece of glass, but it definitely feels front-heavy on a smaller body like the Z6ii. I spent more time worrying about my strap digging into my shoulder than actually framing shots. Before you stress yourself out, think about the weight you are actually comfortable with. I switched over to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S for a shorter trip last year and the difference was night and day. You lose the reach, sure, but you gain so much agility. Being able to just tuck the camera into a small messenger bag without it feeling like a brick? That changed everything for me. Just be careful though, if you really crave those architectural details or distant candid street shots, that 70mm end is gonna feel short fast. If you go for the smaller lens, maybe check if you have a decent memory card like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I to at least keep your kit minimal and efficient. Don't overthink the gear too much, honestly, the best lens is the one you actually want to carry around.
Honestly, just stick with Nikon glass. I have tried many and for Italy, you really want that extra reach. Trust me, it makes a huge difference for those street shots.