Guide Matt Meisenheimer was able to shrink his Nikon kit to just two lenses - the 14-30mm and the 24-200mm. It saves a lot of weight and space, while still giving him good coverage from 14-200mm.
This was incredibly helpful. I just purchased a Z5 with the 24-200 (my very first pro camera) and I am so beyond excited to get started with it. Thank you for your video. What would you recommend as a superior lens for wildlife photography? That’s ultimately where I would like to go. Best
The exact two lenses I just picked up with my new Z6 II. Both are AMAZING lenses. If you buy that lens with a Z6 II you get an extra $100, Adorama has that going on as well...not sure if it is done elsewhere. I am hoping the Z 100-400 and Z 105 macro lenses are announced soon, as those are the only other two lenses I am looking for some of my specialty situations. So far though, the 24-200 is the lens I have bene using the most, I almost have a 1-lens setup for all of my day trips so far. It is so versatile.
I saw the 105 is on its way soon...the 100-400mm is a crucial lens for Nikon though. It surprises me Nikon has shared no info about the lens. The lack of a native telephoto beyond 200mm is really killing the Z series.
Just ordered a Z camera and the 24-200. To be used primarily for backpacking and landscapes. Super excited. But I think I am going to make a bad decision and pick up the 14-24 2.8 to fill in the ultrawide range. I know the 14-30 makes more sense but I really dig that 14-24.
Yeah, the 14-24 is amazing. The only downside for me with the 14-30 is the sun star. It just isn't as good as the 14-24, and I shoot into the sun a lot.
Still getting used to these little cameras. I finally bought a Nikon Z6 with this lens. My last camera was a Leica R7 and I also had Deardorf 8x10 and Pentax 67. I gave up when the silver industry got crushed. I worked in custom labs in the midwest. I like that lens but I think they need to bring the aperture ring back. That's totally lame.
Hi Bob - no worries. I likely wouldn’t use the the 24-200mm as an astrophotography lens. The 14-30mm is great for astro. I’m comfortable shooting at f/4 and high ISOs and I’ve had great results. I also use a tracker. For other low light landscape scenes, like sunrise/sunset. I’m always on a tripod shooting around f/8.
Good review especially when it comes to the build quality. I've heard the quality of the z can be questionable. Maybe it's the non nikon crowd naysaying.
Thanks Steve. In my opinion (and I use a lot of different systems), the Z lenses are some of the best out there. The 14-30mm f/4 is hands down one of my favorite lenses ever. The quality is excellent for all the lenses, the downside is there are not many and Nikon seems extremely delayed with new releases.
Guide Matt Meisenheimer was able to shrink his Nikon kit to just two lenses - the 14-30mm and the 24-200mm. It saves a lot of weight and space, while still giving him good coverage from 14-200mm.
This was incredibly helpful. I just purchased a Z5 with the 24-200 (my very first pro camera) and I am so beyond excited to get started with it. Thank you for your video. What would you recommend as a superior lens for wildlife photography? That’s ultimately where I would like to go.
Best
Food for thought if I ever go Nikon mirrorless? Thanks
I added the 50 mm 1.8 S to this kit.
The exact two lenses I just picked up with my new Z6 II. Both are AMAZING lenses. If you buy that lens with a Z6 II you get an extra $100, Adorama has that going on as well...not sure if it is done elsewhere.
I am hoping the Z 100-400 and Z 105 macro lenses are announced soon, as those are the only other two lenses I am looking for some of my specialty situations. So far though, the 24-200 is the lens I have bene using the most, I almost have a 1-lens setup for all of my day trips so far. It is so versatile.
I saw the 105 is on its way soon...the 100-400mm is a crucial lens for Nikon though. It surprises me Nikon has shared no info about the lens. The lack of a native telephoto beyond 200mm is really killing the Z series.
Great review 👏
Just ordered a Z camera and the 24-200. To be used primarily for backpacking and landscapes. Super excited. But I think I am going to make a bad decision and pick up the 14-24 2.8 to fill in the ultrawide range. I know the 14-30 makes more sense but I really dig that 14-24.
Yeah, the 14-24 is amazing. The only downside for me with the 14-30 is the sun star. It just isn't as good as the 14-24, and I shoot into the sun a lot.
Thanks for the upload! What mic did you use?
It’s a AT875R.
Still getting used to these little cameras. I finally bought a Nikon Z6 with this lens. My last camera was a Leica R7 and I also had Deardorf 8x10 and Pentax 67. I gave up when the silver industry got crushed. I worked in custom labs in the midwest. I like that lens but I think they need to bring the aperture ring back. That's totally lame.
Any worries about shooting in low light if that’s the lenses you have available?
Hi Bob - no worries. I likely wouldn’t use the the 24-200mm as an astrophotography lens. The 14-30mm is great for astro. I’m comfortable shooting at f/4 and high ISOs and I’ve had great results. I also use a tracker. For other low light landscape scenes, like sunrise/sunset. I’m always on a tripod shooting around f/8.
Good review especially when it comes to the build quality. I've heard the quality of the z can be questionable. Maybe it's the non nikon crowd naysaying.
Thanks Steve. In my opinion (and I use a lot of different systems), the Z lenses are some of the best out there. The 14-30mm f/4 is hands down one of my favorite lenses ever. The quality is excellent for all the lenses, the downside is there are not many and Nikon seems extremely delayed with new releases.
Using this lens, this lens really make you could only take one for all used