I am honestly so fed up with my current lens situation right now. I bought a Z5 last year thinking I could just make it work with the tiny 24-50mm kit lens but it is just... so limiting. The aperture is basically useless as soon as the sun even thinks about going down and I am tired of missing shots because I'm fumbling in my bag trying to swap to a prime. My logic was that I would stay lightweight for hiking but now I just have a camera I dont even want to take out of the case.
So I was thinking about the 24-70mm f4 S because everyone raves about it but then I see the 24-120mm and now I am just stuck. I have a big trip coming up to the Oregon coast next month and I need one lens that can actually handle everything from landscape to some street stuff without me losing my mind. My budget is strictly under $900 which makes it even harder. Is there actually a 'best' all-around lens for the Z mount that doesnt feel like a total compromise? I just want to stop thinking about gear and actually take a decent photo for once...
Regarding what #2 said about "> Is there actually a 'best' all-around lens..." - it really is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8. It isnt quite as sharp as the fancy S-line glass, but for $700-800 used, its easily the best value for low light. Since youre worried about the sun going down, having that f/2.8 is non-negotiable imo. It fixes your kit lens frustration without blowing the budget.
Honestly, look for a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S. It is heavier but way more versatile.
- constant f/4 aperture
- great focal range It fits your budget used. Good luck!
honestly its ridiculous how much effort we have to put into just finding a lens that doesnt feel like a toy. I am very satisfied with my Nikon Z5 body, no complaints there as it works well, but the lens ecosystem pricing is just... its such a scam lately.
- The entry level glass is basically designed to make you frustrated so you spend double.
- Prices keep creeping up while the build quality feels more and more like cheap plastic.
- Manufacturers act like we all have two grand just sitting around for a single piece of glass. It drives me crazy because I remember when you could get a solid workhorse without selling a kidney. Same thing happened with my camera bag last month. This fancy waterproof pack was supposed to be the gold standard for reliability, but the zipper snagged the first time it got slightly damp. That left me spending my whole evening in the hotel trying to unstick it with a paperclip instead of looking at my shots. Finding gear you can actually trust out in the field is becoming a full-time job. Anyway... but yeah, the struggle is real with these prices.
> Is there actually a 'best' all-around lens for the Z mount that doesnt feel like a total compromise? In my experience, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 is the one. I've tried many setups over the years, but for those moody Oregon beaches, youre gonna want that f/2.8 speed... its such a lifesaver when the light gets flat. It fits your budget and keeps things simple. I took it on a trek last fall and never felt the need to swap. Way less stress than fumbling with primes.
Works great for me
Wow ok that changes things. Gonna have to rethink my approach now.
