So I finally pulled the trigger and moved over to the Z system after shooting with my old D850 for like a decade. I’m honestly blown away by the eye autofocus on the Z8 its literally like magic compared to what I was used to but now I’m hitting this weird wall with my glass. I have the FTZ adapter but honestly its kinda clunky and I want to just commit to native Z mount lenses for a big trip I have coming up to Tokyo and Kyoto in about three weeks.
I usually carry a bag full of primes but I’m realizing I just dont want to be that person swapping lenses every five minutes while my wife waits for me on the sidewalk lol. I need something that can handle a bit of everything:
- street photography in crowded areas
- landscapes at Mt Fuji
- decent low light for dinner shots or temples
I’ve been looking at the 24-120mm f4 S because everyone raves about the sharpness but then I see the 24-70mm f2.8 and I get tempted even though it costs a fortune and is way heavier. My budget is around $1500 so the 2.8 might be pushing it if I buy new. Basically I’m looking for that one desert island lens that stays on the body 90% of the time without making me regret leaving my primes at home. What do you guys think is the absolute best all-arounder for the Z series right now?
> I usually carry a bag full of primes but I’m realizing I just dont want to be that person swapping lenses every five minutes while my wife waits for me on the sidewalk lol. Been thinking about your situation and honestly walking around Kyoto with a heavy bag while your partner waits is a recipe for a grumpy trip. If youre worried about that $1500 limit, I would suggest going for the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S. Its probably the most versatile piece of glass Nikon has put out for the Z system so far. The sharpness is basically prime-level even when you're zoomed all the way in. But you gotta be careful with those low light scenes you mentioned. While the Z8 has amazing stabilization, f/4 in a dark temple or a dim izakaya in Tokyo might feel a bit limiting. Make sure to keep an eye on your shutter speeds and dont be afraid to crank the ISO. If you find the f/4 too slow for dinners, you might want to consider grabbing a tiny Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 as a backup. Its so small it fits in a pocket and wont cost much extra. I would stay away from the f/2.8 zoom for this specific trip tho. Its a tank and after 20,000 steps your neck will feel it. Plus that extra reach to 120mm is huge for framing Mt Fuji from a distance. Just be sure to check the weather seals before you go... Japan can get pretty humid and rainy this time of year.
> I’ve been looking at the 24-120mm f4 S because everyone raves about the sharpness but then I see the 24-70mm f2.8 and I get tempted Man, I totally get that struggle. I went through the exact same thing when I visited Osaka last year! Before I dive in tho, are you planning on doing a lot of handheld shooting inside those darker temples at night, or do you think you'll have a mini tripod with you? That really changes how much you'll miss that extra stop of light. Honestly, I ended up going with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and it was literally the best decision I ever made for travel. The extra reach at 120mm is a total game changer for those compressed street shots in Shinjuku where you want to pull the neon signs in closer. It is so sharp it is actually scary... like, I dont even miss my old primes most of the time. If you are worried about the low light, you could grab the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and still have money left over for a tiny Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 for those late night dinners. That combo is way lighter than the 2.8 zoom and way more fun to carry around all day. The Z8 sensor is so amazing at high ISO anyway that f4 isnt the dealbreaker it used to be back in the D850 days. You are gonna have a fantastic time in Kyoto, the colors there are just gorgeous!
