So I just got my very first real camera which is a Nikon Z6ii and I am so incredibly excited to actually start taking photos that dont look like they came from a phone but honestly I am so overwhelmed looking at all these numbers on the lenses like what does 24-70 even mean lol. I am going to be visiting my sister in Colorado next month and we are gonna do some hiking and stuff so I really just want one lens that can do it all because I dont want to be carrying a huge bag or swapping things out in the dirt and getting the inside of the camera messy. I have about 850 dollars saved up for this and I just want something that can take a nice picture of a mountain but also maybe a bird or my sister if shes standing far away. Is that even possible? I see some people talking about a 24-200 thing but then other people say the 24-120 is better and I have no clue what the difference is for a beginner like me. Sorry if this is a total noob question I just dont want to waste my money on the wrong thing especially since I saved for months for this. What is the best all-around zoom lens for Nikon Z cameras that covers most things?
Congrats on the Z6ii. In my experience, for hiking in places like Colorado, versatility is the safest bet to avoid getting dust in your sensor.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR: This is my top pick. It has the reach for birds and fits your budget better.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S: Higher quality glass, but you lose that extra zoom for far-off subjects. Go with the 24-200, honestly.
