Is the 24-120mm f/4 S really the gold standard for a one-lens setup on the Z6II, or am I better off grabbing the 24-70mm f/2.8? Im headed to Scotland in about six weeks for a hiking trip and honestly, I dont want to be swapping glass out on a windy cliffside, so I need something versatile.
Ive been looking at the 24-120mm because the extra reach seems super useful for landscape details, plus it saves me about 800 bucks compared to the 24-70mm f/2.8, which would be nice for my travel budget. But then I worry about the f/4 limitation when shooting in those dark, moody Scottish pubs or at sunset. Is the low light performance hit gonna be huge? I also briefly considered the 24-200mm to save even more weight, but I keep reading that the sharpness drop-off is noticeable compared to the S-line glass and I really want to make these photos count since its a once in a lifetime trip for me.
Basically, is the f/2.8 worth the extra weight and cost, or is the 24-120mm just the perfect balance? My back is already gonna be hurting from the gear loadout so smaller is better, but I dont want to regret the aperture on a rainy day.
Honestly, skip the heavy glass. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the absolute king for travel. You save so much money for local experiences! For those dark pubs, just bring a cheap, tiny prime like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2.
- It weighs nothing
- Fits in a pocket
- Handles low light perfectly Youll be so much happier not lugging a heavy f/2.8 zoom while hiking those beautiful trails. Have a blast!
Building on the earlier suggestion, I definitely agree with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S for your trip. In my experience, dragging around that heavy f/2.8 glass on a hike just isn't worth the extra stop of light. Scotland is stunning, but the weather is brutal. My tip: throw a compact Peak Design Capture Camera Clip in your bag so you aren't fighting your strap in the wind. You'll be glad you saved the weight.
Honestly, grab the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and dont look back. I took it out for a week of hiking recently and the reach is just way more practical than losing that extra 50mm on the 24-70mm. Scotland is gonna be windy and wet, so honestly, you really dont want to be doing lens changes anyway. The f/4 aperture is fine for landscape work, and since you are on a Z6II, the high ISO performance is solid enough that you wont miss the f/2.8 in those moody pubs. Just bring a fast prime like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S in your bag just in case you need that extra light for portraits or evening shots. It is super light and wont add much to your pack weight.