Nikon Z 24–120mm f/4 Assessment: The Greatest All-Round Lens for Nikon Z

I’ve owned and used lots of totally different lenses on the Nikon Z system, together with many of the essential choices in the usual zoom vary — from the 24–200mm via to the 24–70mm f/2.8 S. But the one I’ve in the end settled on as my essential lens on this vary is the 24–120mm f/4 S, due to its steadiness of vary and picture high quality.

It’s not a small lens, nevertheless it balances effectively on our bodies just like the Z8 and Z6III. The optics, whereas not fairly on the degree of the 24–70mm f/2.8, are nonetheless glorious throughout the vary — and that 24–120mm focal size is extremely versatile whenever you’re out strolling in locations just like the Scottish Highlands- Which is why it’s probably the greatest lenses for the Nikon Z system.

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Image Quality

Every time I take advantage of the 24–120mm f/4, I’m pleasantly shocked by simply how good it’s. Whether I’m taking pictures landscapes, normal scenes, or capturing individuals and animals on the lengthy finish, it persistently delivers sharp, detailed photos.

What stands out simply as a lot is how clear the photographs look. Out-of-focus areas are clean and well-behaved, whereas chromatic aberrations, flare, and distortion are all effectively managed.

It’s additionally greater than able to resolving the 45MP sensor in my Z8, which suggests you’ll be able to crop into photos with out them falling aside — one thing that provides much more flexibility to an already very versatile focal vary.

If I’m heading out into the Scottish Highlands or the woodlands close to the place I stay and I’m undecided what I’ll encounter, the 24–120mm f/4 has change into my default selection.

A 24–70mm can really feel somewhat limiting on the lengthy finish, whereas a pro-level f/2.8 zoom usually feels heavier than I want for the sort of pictures I truly do. On the opposite hand, the 24–200mm, whereas extra versatile, feels a bit too compromised optically to pair with a digital camera just like the Z8.

The 24–120mm f/4 sits proper in the midst of these choices, and for me, it strikes the steadiness virtually completely. It offers you the pliability to shoot all the things from huge landscapes to tighter element pictures — even close-up work due to its quick minimal focus distance — with out the same old trade-offs in picture high quality you would possibly anticipate from a lens with this sort of vary.

At f/4 on a full-frame sensor, it additionally hits a candy spot when it comes to usability. It’s vibrant sufficient to deal with shifting topics like individuals, whereas nonetheless supplying you with sufficient topic separation whenever you want it — however with out the scale and weight that comes with quicker lenses.

And for landscapes, the place you’re usually stopping down anyway, f/4 isn’t a limitation in any respect.

What you’re left with is a lens that’s sharp throughout the vary, versatile sufficient for a variety of topics, and straightforward to hold — which, in real-world use, issues simply as a lot as the rest.

Autofocus & Handling

Autofocus is quick and dependable, whether or not you’re specializing in a selected level for landscapes or utilizing topic detection on cameras just like the Z8 or Z6III. It locks on rapidly and has no bother maintaining with shifting topics. I’ve used it on my Nikon Z6III photographing Sofia on the native park, and it stored up completely as she flew down the zip line. It additionally works completely effectively on my Nikon Zf however the steadiness feels somewhat off.

What I take pleasure in simply as a lot is how the lens feels in use — significantly on the Z8. The steadiness is spot on. It’s not a small lens, however the dimension and weight really feel effectively judged, supplying you with one thing stable to carry with out ever feeling cumbersome or front-heavy. It feels completely suited to Nikon’s DSLR-style Z our bodies.

If you’re constructing out a Z8 equipment and wish one thing that covers virtually all the things, this lens is a straightforward advice — and it’s one of many first lenses I recommend in my greatest lenses for the Nikon Z8 information.

The building is generally plastic, nevertheless it nonetheless feels stable within the hand — and as a bonus, it doesn’t freeze your palms in winter the way in which some steel lenses can. Compared to the older F-mount 24–120mm f/4 I used on the D850, this model feels noticeably extra refined and higher balanced, regardless of solely being round 80g lighter on paper.

The lens doesn’t embody optical stabilisation, so in the event you’re utilizing a Z physique with out in-body stabilisation, that’s one thing to remember. On cameras just like the Z8 and Z6III although, it’s not a difficulty — getting sharp handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds is easy.

It makes use of a telescoping zoom design, extending as you progress via the focal vary. Personally, I want inner zooms, however that will make a lens like this considerably bigger. In this case, it’s a compromise that is smart given the scale and vary.

The lens is climate sealed, with a gasket on the mount, and I’ve used it in some fairly tough Scottish situations with none points. That mentioned, with a telescoping design, I do attempt to wipe down the barrel earlier than retracting it in heavy rain, simply to be on the protected facet.

In phrases of controls, you get the same old L-Fn button, together with separate zoom, focus, and management rings. I do want Nikon would standardise their layouts a bit extra throughout lenses, as switching between them can take a second to regulate. That apart, the general dealing with expertise is great — it’s a lens I’m all the time pleased to have on the digital camera, regardless of the situations.

So what’s to not like?

For some photographers, the largest limitation would be the f/4 aperture. In decrease mild, or whenever you need stronger topic separation, it could possibly begin to really feel restrictive. Cameras just like the Z6III deal with excessive ISO effectively, however lenses just like the 24–70mm f/2.8 S or Nikon’s f/1.8 primes are nonetheless higher selections if low mild is a precedence.

It’s additionally not a lens that offers your photos a very distinctive look. If you’re chasing that final little bit of sharpness, rendering, or topic isolation, you’ll get extra from quicker zooms or primes.

But for anybody who simply desires a extremely versatile, persistently good-performing lens that works throughout a variety of conditions, these trade-offs make sense.

Who is the 24-120mm f/4 S lens for?

For me, the 24–120mm f/4 makes probably the most sense for photographers who shoot landscapes, need a high-quality walkaround lens, or want one thing versatile for journey.

It’s significantly effectively suited to individuals who don’t wish to carry a number of lenses or cope with the burden of quicker f/2.8 zooms, however nonetheless need glorious picture high quality throughout a variety of conditions.

If you’re the sort of photographer who heads out with out a mounted plan — taking pictures landscapes one second, particulars or individuals the subsequent — this lens suits that approach of working completely.

It strikes a superb steadiness between efficiency, dimension, weight, and worth, which is precisely why it’s change into such a straightforward default selection in my very own equipment.

Who Should Avoid It

This isn’t the lens for photographers who usually shoot in low mild or want a quicker aperture. If you depend on topic separation or shoot occasions, portraits, or indoor work, you’ll be higher served by f/2.8 zooms or prime lenses.

It’s additionally not excellent in the event you’re chasing the best possible picture high quality or a extra distinctive rendering model. In these instances, Nikon’s S-line primes or professional zooms offers you that additional degree of efficiency.

This lens is about steadiness and flexibility — if that’s not your precedence, there are higher choices.

Verdict

The Nikon Z 24–120mm f/4 S may not be the sort of lens you dream about including to your equipment, however in my expertise, it’s probably the most helpful lenses in your complete Z system.

I’ll admit, I’ve usually been drawn to extra unique lenses, however right here in Scotland — the place reliability, efficiency, and practicality matter — that is the lens I hold coming again to.

If I might solely take one lens out with my Z8, this may be it.