Whats the absolute best all-around lens for the Nikon Z mount if I am only gonna carry one single piece of glass? I just finally pulled the trigger on a Z6ii after saving up for literally a year and I am beyond stoked because I am heading to Japan for two weeks next month and I want to capture everything from the neon streets in Shinjuku to the temples in Kyoto. I have been doing a ton of reading and I am honestly a bit stuck between a few options and the more I read the more confused I get lol.
I keep seeing everyone rave about the 24-120mm f/4 S and people say it is basically the gold standard for a do-it-all lens but then I see others saying the 24-70mm f/4 S is way more compact and you can find it for like four hundred bucks used which leaves me way more money for food and experiences. My budget is around $1000 for the lens since I spent most of my savings on the camera body and the plane tickets already. I also looked at that 24-200mm f/4-6.3 superzoom because the range is insane but some reviews say it gets really soft at the long end and the slow aperture might be a total nightmare for night shots in the city without a tripod. I really really dont want to carry a tripod around all day while I am walking 20k steps.
I am a bit of a one lens one camera kind of person when I travel because I hate fumbling with lens caps and getting dust on the sensor while I am on a crowded train or in the wind. But then I worry that if I go with an f4 zoom I am gonna miss that extra light from a prime? But a prime is way too restrictive for a once in a lifetime trip right? I am mostly shooting street photography and landscapes with the occasional food shot. Is the 24-120 really worth the extra weight and price over the 24-70 or is there some secret third option I am missing like that Tamron 28-75 f2.8? That one seems cool for the low light but I heard the autofocus isnt as snappy as the Nikon S-line glass. Man there are too many choices and my head is spinning... what do you guys actually keep on your camera 90% of the time when you just want to go out and shoot everything?
Just catching up on this thread and honestly I was in your exact shoes last year! After weeks of debating before my Tokyo trip, I finally went with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z and loved it! Here is my take after walking 25k steps a day in Japan:
- The f/2.8 on the Tamron is a literal lifesaver for night street photography in Shinjuku. No tripod needed because the Z6ii IBIS is so good.
- If you go with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, you get amazing reach but it feels way heavier after 10 hours of walking. Plus it costs way more.
- Stay away from the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR if you care about low light. My friend brought one and it was a total struggle once the sun went down. Seriously, that extra stop of light on the Tamron is worth it for the vibe of Japanese nightlife! Plus its way under your $1000 budget so you can buy like... a hundred bowls of ramen lol.
Honestly, just grab a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S. I have used this lens for years and it is super compact for those 20k step days. You will save roughly $600 vs the 24-120, which buys a lot of ramen in Japan. The Z6ii handles noise so well that f/4 is fine for night street shots. TL;DR: Get the used 24-70mm f/4 S and keep your cash.
Saw this today and had to jump in! I took the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S to Kyoto last spring and it was absolutely fantastic! First, the weather sealing is incredible, providing peace of mind during rain. Second, the 120mm reach is essential for architectural details. Finally, the S-line optics ensure professional sharpness. Its a rock-solid choice that wont fail you on the road! You can definitely find one for under $1000.
