Im trying to figure out which prime lens to add to my Z6II kit before I head out on a trip to Iceland in about a month. Right now Im pretty much stuck between the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S and the Z 40mm f/2. I know the 50mm is supposed to be sharper and better for portraits, but the 40mm is so tiny and cheap, which is kinda tempting since I hate lugging around heavy gear when Im hiking. My budget is around 500 bucks max, so the S-line glass is pushing it but doable if I find a deal or go used. I shoot mostly landscapes and the occasional street shot when Im in the city. The 40mm focal length feels like a better sweet spot for travel but I dont want to sacrifice too much image quality since I spent so much on the body. Do you think the 50mm f/1.8 is worth the extra weight and cost or will I regret not just getting the smaller lens for the convenience factor?
> I dont want to sacrifice too much image quality since I spent so much on the body. Honestly, for Iceland landscapes, you want that S-line sharpness. I have used the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S for years and it is leagues ahead of the 40mm in terms of optics. If you go used, you can easily snag one under budget. The weight is worth the extra clarity, trust me.
Honestly, if you are hiking Iceland, weight is everything. The Nikon Z 40mm f/2 is sharp enough for travel shots, but if you want that S-line quality without the 50mm bulk, look at the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 instead.
- 28mm is way better for landscapes
- It weighs almost nothing
- AF is snappy enough Be careful with the 40mm, it can be a bit soft in the corners for landscapes. The 28mm feels more versatile for the wild stuff.
Just catching up, but honestly check out the Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 for landscapes. It is wider than the 50mm and honestly way more versatile for those epic Iceland shots.
Coming back to this, I honestly think you should look at the Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 instead of limiting yourself to a prime lens. If you are worried about carrying gear while hiking in Iceland, versatility is honestly your best friend out there.
- The zoom range covers the 24mm wide end for expansive landscapes and pushes to 50mm for more standard street shots.
- It is extremely compact and light, arguably more convenient than carrying multiple primes.
- You get the reliability of a native lens, which is huge when you are in harsh weather. I totally get wanting that S-line sharpness, but for travel, you really dont want to be swapping lenses in the wind and rain. The zoom is a decent option that keeps your bag light without sacrificing the ability to frame your shot properly. Sometimes having the right focal length at the right time matters way more than corner-to-corner sharpness.
Just saw this thread and honestly, I have to chime in because I struggled with this exact dilemma last year. I originally took the Nikon Z 40mm f/2 to the mountains, but unfortunately, the field curvature was pretty noticeable when shooting wide landscapes. It just didnt render the corners with the micro-contrast I expect from S-line glass. Honestly, it was a bit disappointing for a travel prime. Since you want landscape performance but are worried about weight, have you looked at the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.7 DX? Even though its a DX lens, it creates a super lightweight combo on the Z6II that is honestly perfect for hiking. If you really need full frame, I would suggest looking for a used Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S. It is way sharper than the smaller primes and that extra bit of width is massive for Iceland. Dont get me wrong, the smaller lenses are fun, but the optical correction on the S-series makes post-processing so much easier since you wont be fixing distortion constantly.
