What is the absolute best all around lens for the Nikon Z series because I am honestly losing my mind with this kit lens. I have a wedding to shoot for a friend in Seattle next weekend and my 24-50mm is just total garbage in low light and the zoom range is a joke. I thought I could make it work but I keep missing shots because it is so slow to focus and the aperture is just too small.
Budget is about 1100 bucks and I need something that can handle portraits but also wide shots without me constantly swapping glass and missing the moment. Is the 24-120mm f4 worth it or should I just go for a prime? I'm so stressed out...
> Is the 24-120mm f4 worth it? Stumbled onto this today, totally agree, but unfortunately my Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S was not as good as expected at my sisters rainy reception. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 beats the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S!
Im really satisfied with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lately. Tip: rent the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S for low light if you can. Is the venue inside or outdoors?
^ This. Also, had a moment to think about this more while looking at some old wedding files. The guys above are right about the trade-offs between the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S. Personally, I have been extremely happy with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S because of its sheer reliability in the field. When you are shooting a wedding, the last thing you want is to be fumbling with gear while the couple is doing something important. This lens is an S-line, so the autofocus is snappy and it is built like a tank. Since it is Seattle, you are gonna want that extra weather sealing anyway. The reason I recommend this over a prime is flexibility. Being able to zoom out to 120mm for a candid portrait lets you stay out of the way, which is huge. Even tho it is f/4, the Z series sensors handle high ISO so well that you wont really notice the noise as much as you think. It just works well for almost every situation I have thrown at it, and it fits right in your budget. It is basically a professional tool that makes life way less stressful.
Honestly, shooting a wedding in Seattle with that kit lens sounds like a nightmare because of the lighting there. I remember shooting a friends indoor ceremony years ago with a slow zoom and I missed half the shots because the camera wouldnt lock focus fast enough. It was a total mess and I felt awful about it. If you want to stay under budget, I would suggest looking at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8. It is faster than the f/4 and usually costs around 900 bucks if you find a sale. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a decent option for range, but for weddings you really need that extra light or your ISO will be crazy high. I went with the 28-75 because it saved me some cash and it handles portraits fine. It basically works for most situations without being too heavy.
