So I finally did it and bought a real camera after years of just using my iPhone but now I feel totally lost lol. I picked up a Nikon Z5 last week for a trip I have coming up to the Smokey Mountains in October and honestly looking at all the lens options is making my head spin. The guy at the store gave me this small lens that came in the box but he said I might want something better for all-around use and I have no idea what that really means. Like I want to take pictures of the mountains but also maybe some birds if they are close enough and definitely some photos of my kids at the campsite.
I keep seeing these numbers like 24-70 and 24-120 and people talking about f/4 vs f/2.8 and it just sounds like math class to me. I just want one lens that I can leave on the camera the whole time and not have to worry about switching things out while we are hiking because I know for a fact I will drop something or get dirt inside the camera body. My budget is around $900 or maybe $1000 if it is really worth it but my wife might kill me if I spend much more than that since the camera was already expensive. I really want something that makes the pictures look pro you know? Like with that blurry background stuff but still being able to zoom in a little bit.
Someone told me to look at the 24-200 because it zooms a lot but then someone else said the 24-120 is better quality? I dont really understand how a lens that zooms less can be better? I also saw something about prime lenses but those dont zoom at all right? That seems kinda hard to use if I am standing on a trail.
Sorry if these are really dumb questions I am just super new to this and dont want to waste my money on the wrong thing before my trip. If you could only bring one single lens for a week of hiking and family stuff which one would you pick for a beginner who doesnt know what they are doing...
^ This. Also, consider the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z. Ive lost shots in dark woods using f/4; that constant f/2.8 aperture is basically needed for pro bokeh tbh.
Just thinking about your trip... will you mostly be out in the bright sun or hiking through thick forest cover? It makes a big difference for light. Be careful with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR because it gets darker as you zoom in. I once ruined a whole set of woods photos because my lens was too slow. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is way safer for keeping things sharp. TL;DR: Go 24-120mm for reliability; 24-200mm is risky in the woods.
Honestly, you've gotta grab the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S! This thing is just fantastic.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S: Seriously sharp and gives you that pro blurry background way easier.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR: More zoom for birds, but images aren't as punchy.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8: Amazing for blurry backgrounds, but lacks the zoom reach. The 24-120 is basically the perfect hiking lens!
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
Re: "Been thinking about your dilemma and tbh I..." - honestly, I made the same mistake once hauling a massive lens up a peak and regretted it by the second mile. You definitely want to keep it light. Since you're worried about the learning curve, here is what I wish someone told me before I started:
- The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is my go-to for a reason. It is sharp, and that constant f/4 means the camera settings don't freak out when you zoom in.
- If you really want that "pro" blurry look, you might want to consider the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2. It is tiny, super cheap, and you can toss it in your pocket. It is way sharper than those big zooms for portraits of your kids. Be careful with the super long zooms like the 24-200. I had one and it was great for birds, but inside the dark forest, it really struggled to keep up. I think you'll have a much better time with the 24-120 range. Just keep it simple and enjoy the mountains!
Been thinking about your dilemma and tbh I remember being in your exact shoes when I first started. I actually bought this massive zoom for my first mountain trip thinking I needed to see every bird on every branch... turned out it was way too heavy for the long hikes. I ended up leaving it in the truck and just using my phone for half the trip which was a total waste of money. You should be careful about getting something too bulky because if its annoying to carry, you just wont use it. One thing that helped me a ton was checking out sites like Photography Life or looking up sample images on Flickr for the lenses you're considering. Its way easier to see what that blurry background looks like in real photos than reading about math class stuff. Also, make sure to check if whatever you pick is weather sealed since the Smokies get super misty and damp. I ruined a cheap kit lens once because I didnt realize how much moisture gets into everything out there... was a total bummer. Just take it slow and dont feel like you have to spend every cent of your budget right away... sometimes the simpler setup is the one you'll actually enjoy carrying.