So I finally bit the bullet and grabbed a Z6ii last month after using my old D750 for way too long. Problem is I only have the 50mm prime right now and I really need one lens that can just stay on the camera for most things. I'm taking a trip up to the Olympic Peninsula in about three weeks and I really dont want to be swapping lenses in the rain or carrying a huge bag while hiking.
I spent hours looking at reviews and everyone talks about the 24-70mm f/2.8 S being the gold standard but honestly it's way outside my budget right now since I just dropped all that cash on the body. Then there's the 24-120mm f/4 which people seem to love for travel but then I see others saying if I'm doing any indoor shots or evening stuff the f/4 is gonna be a struggle. I even saw some people suggesting the 24-200mm superzoom because it's so convenient but I'm worried the image quality won't be sharp enough for some of the forest landscape stuff I want to do.
I've got about $1100 to spend and I need something reliable that covers the basics without being a total brick. What do you guys think is actually the best do-everything lens for a Z body that doesnt cost as much as a used car?
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the most logical pick for technical performance. MTF data shows it outperforms the superzooms by a wide margin, especially regarding edge-to-edge resolution.
- 24-120mm f/4 S: Constant aperture, S-line coating, and solid weather sealing.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR: Great range but diffraction hits early and its just not as sharp. Z6ii sensor handles high ISO well enough that f/4 isnt a massive hurdle.
Saw this earlier but just now getting a chance to reply. Before I go too deep into the technicals, what does your low light shooting actually look like? Are you mostly worried about deep forest shadows at Olympic or like... indoor evening shots? The Z6ii sensor is such a beast with ISO that f/4 isnt the death sentence it used to be back on the D750. Honestly, you can push that thing pretty far before it gets grainy. If you really feel like you need f/2.8 but dont want to spend used-car money, check out the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z. It fits right in your budget and is way lighter for hiking. You lose a bit of the wide end compared to a 24mm, but that constant f/2.8 is great for subject separation. Third party glass on the Z mount is finally getting good, tho the sealing might not be quite as tank-like as the Nikon S-line gear.
Caught this late but had to weigh in. In my experience, especially after years of trekking through damp spots like the PNW, reliability beats range every time. Ive tried many setups where I prioritized zoom over build and it honestly usually ends in a headache when the weather turns. How much of your budget are you hoping to save for extras like filters? Also, are you planning to use a tripod or mostly shooting handheld?
Re: "Caught this late but had to weigh in...."
- I really feel your pain on the budget situation and the stress of picking just one lens. Honestly its ridiculous how much prices have skyrocketed lately. I remember when you could get a top-tier zoom without needing a second mortgage, but now it feels like the manufacturers are just squeezing every cent out of us. It drives me crazy that "pro-grade" has basically become synonymous with "unaffordable" for the average person who just wants gear that wont fail in the woods. I went through a similar transition last year and the sticker shock almost made me quit the system entirely. I am very satisfied with the reliability of my kit now and everything works well for my needs, but the path to get there was frustratingly expensive. Companies seem to think we all have thousands of dollars just sitting around for a single piece of glass. Its such a scam how the gap between basic stuff and the "S" line is priced, especially when youre already dropping serious cash on a body like the Z6ii. Just makes the whole hobby feel like a massive money pit sometimes...
