Leaving for a trip to the Swiss Alps next Friday and I still havent picked a lens for my Z6ii. Its stressing me out because I only want to carry one lens for everything. I read that the 24-70mm f/4 is the kit lens gold standard but then people on reddit say the 24-120mm f/4 is way better for reach. I cant tell if the extra weight is gonna suck since I'm doing a lot of heavy hiking.
- Budget is around $1000
- Need good weather sealing for snow
- mostly landscapes and street photography
Is the 24-120 really that much better or should I just get the 24-70? I need to order by tomorrow morning...
In my experience, picking the right glass for a high-altitude trip comes down to whether you prioritize your back or your composition. I've tried many combinations over the years and found that the Swiss Alps offer scale that usually demands more than 70mm to really capture the layers of the mountains... honestly, hiking with extra weight is just part of the game tho. A few things to think about:
- Total pack weight including water and safety gear
- Your tolerance for handheld shooting in lower light
- How much you value the extra reach for mountain layers The extra reach really is that much better for alpine environments, but the weight is a real factor. To help narrow it down, are you planning to do any night photography while youre there? Also, do you tend to crop your photos heavily in post? Knowing your workflow helps.
