Ive been shooting with Nikon gear for over a decade, started way back on the D7000 and finally made the jump to a Z6ii last year. Honestly the autofocus performance is leagues better than my old dslr, but Im still struggling with my lens lineup. I mostly do street photography and some light portrait work around Seattle, so I need something sharp but compact enough that I dont look like a total gear-head when Im walking through Pike Place.
I rented the 50mm f/1.8 S and it was insanely sharp, like maybe too sharp? But then I keep hearing people rave about the 40mm f/2 for the size. My budget is around 600 bucks tops because I just dropped a ton on a new tripod. Should I stick with the S-line glass for the weather sealing even if it adds some bulk, or is the f/2 prime gonna be fine for just daily carry stuff? Ive got a trip coming up in about three weeks and really need to lock this down before I leave. What are you guys actually using on your Z bodies these days?
Switching from the D7000 to the Z6ii is a massive jump, congrats! If you are hitting the streets of Seattle and want that specific balance of optical performance and portability, I have some thoughts. The S-line glass is optically corrected to near perfection, but sometimes you just need something that disappears on the camera body.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is honestly a total blast to use. It is tiny, focuses fast enough for street work, and renders images with a really pleasing, slightly classic look that isnt as clinical as the S-series lenses.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is the absolute king of resolution. If you are doing portraits and need that edge-to-edge sharpness for cropping, nothing else touches it. It is weather-sealed too, which is huge for Seattle rain. Personally, I keep the 40mm on my Z6ii about 80% of the time because it makes the whole setup feel like a point-and-shoot, which is perfect for street candids. If you are worried about the weather, just grab a cheap rain cover and save the extra cash for your trip. The 40mm is a total steal for the price, and the size difference vs the 50mm S is noticeable when you are carrying it all day. You wont regret grabbing the 40mm for your upcoming travels, trust me!
Quick reply while I have a sec. ^ This. Also, I totally get the dilemma because I spent months debating the same thing before settling into my current kit. If you are doing street work in Seattle, you need something that just disappears on the camera body. Honestly, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is the absolute winner for your needs. It is tiny, surprisingly sharp for the price, and lets you move through crowds without drawing any attention. I use it for daily carry and have no complaints at all about the image quality for web or smaller prints. Here is how I see the split:
- The Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is for when I want to be stealthy and keep the Z6ii feeling like a point-and-shoot.
- The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is for when I need that clinical, S-line sharpness for professional portrait work or paid gigs. If you really care about weather sealing because of the constant Seattle drizzle, maybe lean toward the S-line, but the f/2 prime is cheap enough that I dont worry about it getting a little wet. It is basically the price of a nice dinner out. I am really satisfied with the output of the 40mm, and it fits perfectly in a small sling bag. Just grab the 40mm and save the extra cash for your trip expenses.
Honestly for Seattle street stuff the weather sealing on the S-line is pretty clutch. My aunt actually just moved to Ballard and hates the rain, which is ironic right? Anyway lol.
