Just picked up a Z6 II and I am absolutely loving it so far but honestly the kit lens just isnt cutting it for me anymore. Im heading to Japan in about two months for a big trip and I really want to have one solid lens that I can keep glued to the body so I dont have to mess around with swaps constantly. Space is super tight in my pack since Im traveling light.
Right now Im torn between the Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. The 24-120 range feels like a dream for travel but Im nervous about losing that extra stop of light with the f/4 aperture for evening street shots. I also looked at the 24-70 f/4 but I feel like I might be disappointed with the reach compared to what I have now. My budget is around 2k max for this piece of glass. Is the 24-120 actually sharp enough to justify giving up the 2.8 speed or should I just bite the bullet and go for the heavier 24-70 2.8 and maybe carry a small prime for low light? Has anyone else struggled with this same dilemma...
^ This. Also, I honestly think dropping that much cash on the 2.8 is overkill for a travel kit. You could pick up the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and grab a sharp Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 for your night shots.
- Saves you tons of cash
- Keeps the weight down
- Gives you that low light speed when you really need it Trust me, the extra stop really doesnt matter as much as the weight savings on long walking days.
> The 24-120 range feels like a dream for travel but Im nervous about losing that extra stop of light with the f/4 aperture for evening street shots. Honestly, I totally get the struggle. I went through the exact same thing before a trip last year. I ended up grabbing the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and I have been super satisfied with the decision. It is sharp as a tack and the extra reach really saved me from having to carry a second lens, which made my pack way lighter. I was worried about that f/4 aperture for night stuff too, but honestly, the stabilization on the Z6 II works really well. Unless you are shooting fast-moving subjects in a dark alley, you will be fine. If you want to save some cash, just take the money you saved by not getting the 24-70 2.8 and pick up a Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 to keep in your pocket. It is tiny, incredibly cheap, and handles those low-light situations like a champ without adding any real weight to your bag. That way you keep your budget intact and have a solid backup for when the sun goes down. The 24-120 range is just too convenient for Japan, you wont regret having that extra zoom. Just my two cents, but it has worked perfectly for my travel setup.
Honestly, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the smarter choice for travel. That extra reach is huge in Japan for architecture and street details. Unless you are shooting moving subjects in the dark, the Z6 II handles high ISOs great, making the f/4 plenty capable. Carrying a heavy 2.8 lens gets tiring fast. Just pack a cheap, light prime like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 for those late nights.
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