I am seriously so done with carrying three different lenses every time I go out for a hike. I've got the 14-30 and the 50 prime and then the 24-70 f4 kit lens but honestly swapping them out is a nightmare especially when it's windy. I missed like half the shots I wanted last weekend because I was fumbling with lens caps and worrying about dust on the sensor of my Z6ii. It's just exhausting.
So I was thinking maybe I should just sell them all and get one single lens that stays on the camera 90% of the time but I can't decide which one is actually worth it. My logic was that the 24-120mm f4 is the gold standard but then I see people raving about the 24-200mm for travel and now I'm just confused and annoyed. Is the 24-200 actually sharp enough or am I gonna regret losing that constant f4? I have a big trip to the Pacific Northwest in three weeks and I really don't want to be lugging a giant bag through the rain. My budget is around 1100 bucks and I just want something that wont make me want to throw my gear in a lake. What is the actual best all-arounder for this mount because I'm ready to just give up on the whole system if I can't find a simpler way to shoot...
Totally agree. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a decent option that fits your $1100 budget. It works better than the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR when the light gets low in the trees. Selling your kit lens and the 50mm should cover the cost. Its a straightforward way to cut weight without sacrificing quality... definitely the smart move for the PNW trip.
Late to the party but I went through this exact same headache last year. Carrying a bag full of glass just killed my vibe. Switching to a single high-quality zoom made me so much more satisfied. No more fumbling with caps in the wind. Some things to keep in mind before you buy anything:
- Avoid the trap of thinking you need the fastest aperture for hiking. You are usually stopped down anyway and the extra weight isnt worth it.
- Check the used market or forums like Fred Miranda before buying brand new. Saved a ton of cash that way and the gear works perfectly.
- Constant aperture is way better for consistency than a variable one that gets dark as soon as you zoom in. Dont overthink the technical charts too much. If the glass is weather sealed and covers your range, you are gonna be happy. Simplified shooting is the best thing I ever did for my photography... just makes everything less of a chore.
Just saw this thread and honestly, diving into the technical specs of these optics is the best! If you're heading to the PNW, the weather sealing is gonna be your biggest concern for sure... I think I remember seeing some MTF charts on sites like Photography Life or maybe some data over at DXOMARK that showed the resolution on some of these superzooms drops off quite a bit at the long end. Its amazing how much engineering goes into these mirrorless designs tho!
- Definitely check those MTF charts for edge-to-edge resolution at various focal lengths.
- Look into the diffraction limits of your sensor because stopping down for landscape might affect your clarity.
- Not 100% sure but IIRC the non-professional glass might struggle more with chromatic aberration in high contrast scenes like rainy forests. Basically, if you want that tack sharp look for big prints, the S-line glass usually wins on paper but the versatility is a huge factor! Definitely check those technical reviews before you drop the cash!!
