going to Tokyo in two weeks and honestly panicking because I havent picked a lens for my Z6. stuck between the 24-120mm f/4 and the 24-70 f/4 kit. my budget is capped at $900 so i cant afford the 2.8 stuff. is the extra reach of the 120 worth the weight or nah?
Quickly, what do you usually shoot? @Reply 2 - good point!
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 Works well and saves cash for ramen!
Honestly, you gotta go with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S for a city like Tokyo! I used one last year and the versatility is just insane compared to the shorter kit lens. Since you're on a $900 budget, you can easily find a mint condition used copy for around $850 or so, which is basically the sweet spot for value right now. The technical specs really tell the story here:
- Extended 5x zoom range vs the 2.9x on the smaller kit.
- Constant f/4 aperture across the whole range which is clutch for street shots.
- S-line optics mean its sharp even at 120mm.
- Weight is only about 630g, so its not gonna kill your neck while walking around Shibuya. The extra reach at the long end lets you get those amazing compressed street shots that the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S just cant touch. Its easily the best all-in-one setup for the Z6, especially for travel!
Just found this thread and had to jump in because Tokyo is basically a long-distance hiking trip where you happen to take photos. I made the mistake of carrying a massive setup through Shibuya once and my back still hasn't forgiven me. You gotta be careful with the weight because those train stations have way more stairs than you'd think. Since you're stressing about the reach vs weight thing, maybe consider these alternatives that might fit the budget better:
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is basically the ultimate travel tool if you want one lens to do everything. It's around 570g which is fairly light for the range, but be careful with the variable aperture. It hits f/6.3 pretty fast once you zoom past 80mm, so you'll be cranking the ISO on your Z6 once the sun goes down.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 is a total sleeper hit. It's not an S-line lens, so the technical specs for corner resolution aren't as insane as the pro glass, but having that constant f/2.8 is a lifesaver for night street photography. It's way more compact than the high-end 2.8 options. I spent a week in Shinjuku with a heavy zoom once. Most of the time, I just wanted something faster for the tight alleyways. If you go with the 24-200mm, maybe grab a cheap Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 to keep in your pocket for when it gets dark. Make sure to check used prices online, you can definitely stay under that $900 cap for either of these setups.
Checking back in on this and honestly, I've had issues with the 24-70mm f/4 kit in the past. It's just not as good as expected for the price, especially regarding the corner softness at 24mm. If you're going to Tokyo, you need something more reliable that won't disappoint when the sun goes down.
- Look at the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z. It's way more versatile for those neon nights than any f/4 zoom and sits right at your $900 limit.
- If you want the sharpest images possible, grab a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. Zooming with your feet is better than carrying a heavy lens you'll eventually want to leave in the hotel room halfway through the day.
- Use the comparison tool on DPReview to see how the f/2.8 aperture makes a massive difference for night street photography. Don't settle for the kit lens just because it's easy. You'll regret that f/4 aperture the second you hit the narrow Golden Gai alleys.
Big if true
