So I finally made the jump and picked up a Z6ii a few months back after shooting with my old D7000 for ages. Im absolutely loving the EVF and the whole system but Im really struggling with lens choices. I do a bit of everything honestly - some landscape work when I hike up in the Catskills on weekends, occasional portrait stuff for my niece, and just general travel shots. I have about 1200 bucks set aside for this new lens because I really dont want to be swapping glass in the middle of a trail if I dont have to.
Right now Im pretty torn between a few options. Everyone keeps raving about the Z 24-120mm f/4 S because of that extra reach which sounds amazing for hiking, but then I keep seeing people talk about the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. I know the 24-70 is way out of my budget unless I find a lucky deal on the used market, which honestly feels like a total gamble. Theres also the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 which is super light for my backpack, but Im worried about losing that constant aperture and sharpness, especially since I like to shoot in lower light sometimes.
Im trying to have this settled before I head to Portugal in late October so I have time to get used to the weight and balance. I guess what I really need is a true daily driver that isnt gonna weigh a ton but still gives me that crisp Z-series quality. Is the 24-120 actually worth the extra cash over the 24-200 for someone like me who isnt doing pro commercial work? Or am I just overthinking it and should just grab whatever is cheaper so I can save the rest for a prime later? I feel like I keep spinning my wheels reading reviews and my brain is just mush at this point...
Honestly, skip the 24-70 f/2.8 unless you are making money on prints. For what you described, the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the absolute sweet spot. I have been using one since launch and it honestly stays on my body 90 percent of the time. The sharpness is right up there with the pro glass and that extra 50mm reach is a lifesaver when you are hiking in the Catskills and cant physically get closer to a ridgeline or a subject. I get the temptation of the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, but having that constant f/4 aperture makes a bigger difference than you realize when light starts tanking in the evening. Plus, the S-line glass just renders colors and contrast so much better. If you want to keep costs down, check out the Nikon refurbished site or places like KEH for a used copy. You can often snag them for well under your 1200 dollar budget and then use the leftover funds to pick up a used Nikon Z 40mm f/2 later. That little prime is dirt cheap and makes your setup super compact when you just want to go for a walk in Lisbon without standing out as a tourist. Stick with the 24-120, you wont regret it.
Coming back to this, I definitely hear your struggle with the budget. Since you are going to Portugal and want to keep things light, have you thought about picking up the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR instead? I personally love how small it is for travel and honestly, the reach is a total lifesaver when you cant get close to your subject. It saves you plenty of cash compared to the S-line lenses, which could go towards a dedicated low-light prime like the Nikon Z 40mm f/2.
- The reach on the 24-200mm is just incredible for travel.
- You save a few hundred bucks for other gear.
- It feels balanced and very light for all-day hiking. I have been really happy with the performance for general shots, and it works well for my needs. You really dont need to overspend to get great images.
Interested in this too