What is the absolute best all-around lens for the Nikon Z system if I can only carry one? I finally bit the bullet and traded in my old D850 kit for a Z7II and Im super stoked but honestly kind of overwhelmed by the S-line options. Ive got this big trip to Iceland coming up in like three weeks and I really dont want to be swapping glass in the wind and rain every five minutes. I was looking at the 24-120mm f/4 because everyone says its the gold standard but then the 24-70mm f/2.8 is tempting for the extra stop even though its way more expensive... My budget is around 1200-1500 bucks so that f/2.8 might be pushing it. Is the 24-120 sharp enough for landscape stuff or should I just stick to the 24-70 and crop in...
Congrats on the Z7II! You are going to absolutely love that sensor, especially in a place as epic as Iceland! Seriously, for a one-lens setup on a trip like that, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the undisputed king of the mountain. I have put thousands of frames through mine and the sharpness across the entire frame is just stellar. It is a massive upgrade over the old F-mount version and honestly performs like a bag of primes. For landscape work specifically, you really dont need the f/2.8 of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Youll likely be shooting at f/5.6 or f/8 most of the time to get that deep depth of field anyway. Having that extra reach out to 120mm is fantastic for picking out details in the Icelandic terrain that you just cant reach with a 70mm. Plus, the weight savings are a huge deal when you are hiking all day in the wind. The weather sealing on the 24-120mm is top-tier too, so it can handle the mist from the falls or a light drizzle without breaking a sweat. It usually retails for about $1,099, which fits perfectly in your budget! Honestly, skip the f/2.8 and use the extra cash for a high-quality circular polarizer or some warm boots... trust me on that one!
