So I finally pulled the trigger on a Z6ii and I am beyond stoked to take it on my trip to Tokyo next month. Its my first mirrorless setup coming from an old D750 so the whole system feels like magic honestly but man choosing one lens to live on the camera for 90% of the time is actually driving me crazy right now. I have about 1200 bucks left in the budget after the body purchase so I need to make it count and I really dont want to carry a huge bag of glass through the subway.
I have been looking at the 24-120mm f4 S and my logic was that the extra reach would be killer for street photography and candid stuff where I cant get close. Everyone says its basically the perfect travel lens because of that 120mm end but then I keep worrying about the f4 aperture. Is it gonna be too dark when I am hitting the shrines at sunset or walking around Shinjuku at night? That led me to look at the 24-70mm f2.8 S but thats just way out of my price range if I buy it new and even used its pushing it and honestly it looks kinda heavy for all-day walking.
Then there is the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 G2 which is super tempting because of the price and that f2.8 speed but am I gonna miss that wide 24mm end? 4mm doesnt sound like much but indoors or for tight city streets it might be a big deal. My brain is kinda fried from watching YouTube reviews at 2am lol. I want something that stays on the camera all day. I usually shoot a mix of everything - landscapes in the morning, food, busy streets, maybe some portraits of my wife. If I go with the 24-120 will the ISO performance on the Z6ii make up for the f4? Or should I just grab the Tamron and crop in if I need more reach? I just dont want to be swapping lenses every five minutes while we are trying to catch a train. What would you pick if you could only take one for a once-in-a-lifetime trip?
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S is my absolute favorite for travel! It's fast, sharp, and super light. I shot all of Tokyo with just this one prime and loved it!
I did a similar trip to Osaka last year and ngl the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S never left my body. Youre worried about the f/4 aperture at night but Shinjuku is basically a giant light box after dark. With the IBIS in the Z6ii and its solid high ISO capability, I was shooting handheld at night without any real noise issues. That 24mm end is non-negotiable for me because the streets in Tokyo are tighter than they look on camera. If you go with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, youll find yourself backing into walls trying to fit buildings in the frame. Quick tip: Set your minimum shutter speed to 1/100 and let the Auto ISO do the work. The Z6ii sensor is clean enough that the f/4 wont hold you back in the city. Just grab the 24-120mm and dont worry about the rest.
Re: "I did a similar trip to Osaka last..."
- I had a different experience. Be careful with that 28mm start on the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. I took a 28mm to Kyoto and missed so many temple shots because I couldn't back up far enough. I would suggest the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S for that extra safety margin. Quick tip: Carry a spare Nikon EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery.
I went through this exact same spiral before my last big trip and honestly, I am so glad I prioritized the extra reach over the faster aperture. I ended up getting the zoom that goes out to 120mm and it was the best decision for my sanity. I was super worried about the low light performance too, especially for those moody evening shots in the city, but the stabilization on the Nikon Z6 II is honestly a game changer. I spent most of my time just enjoying the sights instead of worrying about my gear. My current setup handled the dim shrines and the night markets perfectly fine, and I never felt like I was missing out by not having a faster lens. It was just so reliable to have one piece of glass that did it all. I really think youll be much happier having that extra zoom range to grab those candid moments from across the street. It makes the whole experience way more relaxing when you know your gear can handle whatever comes up without you having to swap things out in the middle of a crowd. Tokyo is gonna be amazing!
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
