Photography Life Review of 24-120 f4S Z Lens

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
I've heard nothing but great things about this lens but I don't know if it's for me. I already have the 24-70 f4S and the 24-200 as well as the 105 f2.8S. Theoretically, the 24-120 could replace all 3 of those lenses as it's reportedly as good as the 24-70 f4S but with more reach; better image quality than the 24-200 and although not a true macro, focuses quite close. On the flip side, it seems quite a bit larger physically than the 24-70 and the 24-200, has out of focus characteristics that aren't quite pleasing and isn't as sharp as the 105. Since I use the 24-70 for a compact lightweight video lens on my Z6, (that pairs perfectly with the 14-30) I don't know if I would enjoy having the extra bulk doing videos for hours and hours a day for a bit of extra reach that I don't often find myself needing in video. Same applies to the 24-200. That's my adventure lens mostly used for photos that's light weight and rarely comes off my camera while on vacations. I'll never get rid of the 105, its my favorite focal length and almost every shot gives me a wow factor I doubt I could get with another lens. It seems that if I were to end up getting this lens, I'd have a use case for each of the 4 and wouldn't get rid of any of them. If I were to do it all over again, perhaps I'd end up with this 24-120 instead but where I sit now, I don't know if the extra reach would be worth it for me with how I use the lenses I have now. FWIW, I have the 24-120 f mount; it was my most used lens on DSLR's but I rarely ever use it with the FTZ on my Z6. I'm either satisfied with the convenient 24-200 IQ or happy with the weight savings using the 24-70. What I'd love from Nikon is a 70-200 f4S for a light weight f4 trinity with stellar optics.
 

Danno

Senior Member
I've heard nothing but great things about this lens but I don't know if it's for me. I already have the 24-70 f4S and the 24-200 as well as the 105 f2.8S. Theoretically, the 24-120 could replace all 3 of those lenses as it's reportedly as good as the 24-70 f4S but with more reach; better image quality than the 24-200 and although not a true macro, focuses quite close. On the flip side, it seems quite a bit larger physically than the 24-70 and the 24-200, has out of focus characteristics that aren't quite pleasing and isn't as sharp as the 105. Since I use the 24-70 for a compact lightweight video lens on my Z6, (that pairs perfectly with the 14-30) I don't know if I would enjoy having the extra bulk doing videos for hours and hours a day for a bit of extra reach that I don't often find myself needing in video. Same applies to the 24-200. That's my adventure lens mostly used for photos that's light weight and rarely comes off my camera while on vacations. I'll never get rid of the 105, its my favorite focal length and almost every shot gives me a wow factor I doubt I could get with another lens. It seems that if I were to end up getting this lens, I'd have a use case for each of the 4 and wouldn't get rid of any of them. If I were to do it all over again, perhaps I'd end up with this 24-120 instead but where I sit now, I don't know if the extra reach would be worth it for me with how I use the lenses I have now. FWIW, I have the 24-120 f mount; it was my most used lens on DSLR's but I rarely ever use it with the FTZ on my Z6. I'm either satisfied with the convenient 24-200 IQ or happy with the weight savings using the 24-70. What I'd love from Nikon is a 70-200 f4S for a light weight f4 trinity with stellar optics.

I would be hard pressed to make a change considering what you have in the bag. If I were looking at the 24-200 and and had the 24-70 f4 I would sell the 24-70f4 and buy the 24-120 f4 and call it a day. I have the 24-70 f2.8 and that stays on my Z6. I use the 70-200 f2.8 Z lens some but only some. I think it is a good lens for someone just getting started in Nikon mirrorless. It would be my first purchase. In fact I would by body only and by the 24-120 so I did not have to mess with it.
 

Camera Fun

Senior Member
I had been putting a lot of thought into getting a 24-120 for the extra reach over my 24-70f4 kit lens. However, even though the 24-120 has basically good reviews, I just decided that it's not enough of an upgrade over the 24-70 for me right now. Plus, I'd like to see what Tamron might offer in the future. And maybe an f2.8 will be in it for me in the future. Now if I was buying my Z6ii as a body today, then I would go with the 24-120.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
I already have the F-mount 24-120mm f/4 so I feel like I would like the Z-mount version. But I already am using the Z24-70 f/4 and there just is not an overwhelming reason to trade up.

My very long-term plan is to have the trinity of Z lenses (14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8) as well as the 105mm f/2.8. The 14-24mm is the highest priority right now as I don't have an F-mount zoom in that range, just a couple of prime lenses. I am covered with an F-mount 70-200mm f/2.8G so that could be the last upgrade I do. The FTZ adapter on an already long lens is barely noticeable. But for now the Z24-70 f/4 is working just fine.
 
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