finally picked up a Z6ii for my big Japan trip next month and im beyond excited! i dont want to swap lenses in the crowds so im torn between the 24-120mm f/4 and the cheaper 24-200mm. i got about a thousand bucks to spend but i cant decide which is the better everyday choice?
i actually went with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z for my last trek through Tokyo and i couldnt be happier. honestly that f/2.8 was a total lifesaver in those dim shrines and narrow alleys. its way lighter than i expected and fits your budget perfectly too. definitely worth a look if you want that extra low-light performance over the zooms you mentioned.
> i dont want to swap lenses in the crowds so im torn between the 24-120mm f/4 and the cheaper 24-200mm. I would suggest being careful about blowing your whole budget on the 24-120 just because people say you need f/4. Honestly, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is much more practical for a big trip if you really want to avoid swapping. People worry way too much about that f/6.3 aperture, but your Z6II handles high ISO so well it wont even matter for most daytime or evening shots. Quick tip... grab the 24-200 and use the leftover cash to buy a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2. Its tiny enough to fit in a jacket pocket for when the sun goes down. You might want to consider that having 200mm of reach is actually killer for those compressed street shots in Shinjuku. Just make sure to check the used market first to save some extra yen for the actual travel...
i would suggest looking closely at the optical trade-offs before you buy anything for that trip. honestly the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens is the logical choice even if it is slightly over budget at 1099 msrp. you might want to consider these technical points:
- constant f/4 aperture is vital. the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Lens hits f/6.3 very quickly as you zoom. that forces your Nikon Z6II Mirrorless Camera to jack up the ISO which adds grain.
- be careful with the 24-200mm in rainy weather. it isnt an S-line lens so the weather sealing isnt as robust for peace of mind.
- the 24-120mm has better coatings to handle glare from neon signs and a much closer focus distance for food photos. basically... if you care about sharpness and low light, go with the 24-120mm. the extra reach on the 200mm lens isnt worth the loss of detail imo.
