Pache Loc: Sorrento, FL

I have an excellent problem. I purchased a Nikon Z5, and then upgraded to a Z8. Wonderfully, my wife started wanting to go out on shoots with me. Now, the challenge is having enough lenses for both of us.

We shoot outdoors, primarily landscapes, birds, and flowers. We have the wide-angle side covered. I have given her my Nikon 24-200 4-6.3. I have been using the Nikon Z 100-400 f.5-5.6 VR S. The 100-400 is a little long. I am considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 S. The reviews are great, but the lens is expensive and big.
I can afford the lens, but don't know want to be wasteful. Any suggestions?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Check out the newer 70-180. Slighter shorter range but much smaller and lighter. And cheaper.

leftj Loc: Texas

If it puta you where you want to be (enjoying photography with your wife) and you can afford it, how can it be wasteful?

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Nikon 24-120 f/4

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Nikon 24-120 f/4

photoman43

Instead of the 70-200mm f2.8 S lens check out the 70-180mm f2.8 by Nikon/Tamron. It costs a lot less and is not as heavy and it is smaller. If I were to get a 70-200mm S I would get the 70-180mm f2.8.

https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-lenses/nikkor-lenses/nikon-z-mount-lens-reviews/nikon-70-180mm-f28-lens.html

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I LOVE my N ikon 70-200 as it is a superior lens qnd, IMHO, the best version that Nikon has made in that series. That said, The Nikon 24-120 is also a fantastic lens and one I use quite a bit when working in news gathering. Best of luck.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

As with many others, I have "started" the migration to mirrorless....I spent a good amount of time reading reviews of users, Thom Hogan & Ken Rockwell....I settled on the Z 24-200, light weight compact, FAST & tack sharp. Like almost every Z lens it is off shored to China or Thailand for manufacture....Cost is also a a bonus Roughly $895

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Nikon has it's own factories in both countries. Best of luck.

btbg

It depends if you need f2.8 or not. I have the lens and use it almost daily for work. The size and weight is not a problem if you are steady hand holding a lens. With that said if you don't need the speed from the lens there are plenty of choices that cover most of the same zoom range with less weight.

With lenses everything is a tradeoff. If you need the speed then you accept the extra weight. If you don't need the speed you can probably purchase two lenses instead of one and cover the same focal length or perhaps have even more coverage. My suggestion if it is possible is to go to a physical camera store and try several different lenses.

The 18-140 f3.5-6.3 is about $640, the 24-120 f4 is about $1,100, the 24-70 f4 is about $1,000, the 24-200 f4-6.3 is about $900, the 28-75F2.8 is about $1,000, the 70-180F2.8 is about $1,250, the 180-600 f5.6-6.3 is about $1,700, and the 70-200F2.8 is about $2,700.

That means that you could purchase any two of the other lenses for about the same cost of the 70-200. So, the choice is which of those focal lengths do you use most, and how much speed do you really need from your lenses. For example, added to what you already have if you were to purchase both the 24-120F4 and the 180-600 you would dramatically expand the focal length range that both you and your wife would have, while spending just $100 more than getting the 70-200. Or you could get any one of the other lenses for less money than the 70-200. Since you already have a 24-200 and a 100-400 most of the lenses cover focal lengths that you already have, so it's just a matter of which lens or lenses you would use the most and whether or not the extra weight is worth the increased speed from the 70-200.

The 70-200 is the lens that I use more than any other lens in my collection, but it is not for everyone.

In addition to trying lenses at a camera store another thing that might be interesting and that might help you make an informed decision is to look at the work that both you and your wife have done and see what focal lengths you actually use the most. For example if almost everything both of you shoot is between 24-120mm then the 24-120 would be the most bang for the buck for you.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Funny I didn’t think of this lens when I mentioned the 70-180, even though I own it. It is a very nice “walkaround” lens with good coverage. The advantage being that nice 24-200 focal range. I guess the reason I suggested the 70-180 is because it’s more directly comparable to the 70-200. The trade off is speed. I don’t know what “FAST” refers to. If it’s focus speed it’s not the fastest I have, but certainly pretty good. But usually when call a lens “fast” it’s about light gathering. This is an f/4-6.3 lens. So at the wide end it’s a stop slower than the f/2.8 70-180, and at the long end over 2 stops slower. And if you look at the comparable part of the range at 70mm you’re already at f/6, also slightly over 2 stops slower. I would really recommend either lens, just consider what you’re loooking for and what’s important to you.

And after typing this I realize you already have this suggested lens.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I own both the 100-400 and the 70-200. Even though the 100-400 gets used more lately (for sports and such) I *always* find a need for the 70-200...I think the 100-400 has a bit more heft. If there're two of you, depending on subject matter, that's two great longish lenses to share.

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

Have you also considered 3 rd party lenses they might be cheaper 4 you?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

There really aren’t a lot of 3rd party zooms available in the Z mount, mostly just primes. Nikon’s position is they only allow 3rd party lenses that compliment the current Nikon lineup. Tamron does make 2. There’s a 35-150 f/2-2.8 that’s an interesting range. It’s $1999, so about $700 more than the 70-180, (which is actually a Tamron manufactured Nikon branded lens), and there’s a 70-300 f/4.5-6.3 at only around $600 if you’re not worried about light.

Pache Loc: Sorrento, FL

Thank you all that provided input. I appreciate the good ideas.