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Best Lens(es) for Nikon Z50
Aug 15, 2020 01:47:06 #
I recently acquired a Z50, both kit lenses and the FTZ adapter as my first mirrorless gear, as a changeup from my D810, D500, etc. The camera itself is a marvelous piece of technology, and I am enjoying getting to know it.
I am less impressed with the two kit lenses however, primarily because there are TWO of them. Neither by itself covers a useful range for me, and carrying both seems like it would be a hassle. All else being equal, i prefer longer focal lengths. To my fellow hoggers with this camera, what do you use?
On the face of it, this is a repeat of the « all-in-one » lens discussion, but the small body of the Z50, IMHO, eliminates some popular choices such as the Tamron 18-400. The feel of the camera/lens combo is important. For example, pairiing the Z50 with the Nikon 300 PF feels awkward to me, whereas the FX 70-300 feels nicely balanced.
So, for a one-lens option for this small body, what works for you? Or, are there any specialty lens that you have found that pair particularly well with this body?
I am less impressed with the two kit lenses however, primarily because there are TWO of them. Neither by itself covers a useful range for me, and carrying both seems like it would be a hassle. All else being equal, i prefer longer focal lengths. To my fellow hoggers with this camera, what do you use?
On the face of it, this is a repeat of the « all-in-one » lens discussion, but the small body of the Z50, IMHO, eliminates some popular choices such as the Tamron 18-400. The feel of the camera/lens combo is important. For example, pairiing the Z50 with the Nikon 300 PF feels awkward to me, whereas the FX 70-300 feels nicely balanced.
So, for a one-lens option for this small body, what works for you? Or, are there any specialty lens that you have found that pair particularly well with this body?
Aug 15, 2020 05:10:27 #
MrBumps2U wrote:
I recently acquired a Z50, both kit lenses and the... (show quote)
I can only reply to your question about specialty lenses. I’ve been trying out the 10-24/3.5-4.5 Nikkor on an adapter to a small camera about same size as a Z50. Acoarst it would require your FTZ adapter and you’d have full connection including AF. Cannot comment on its AF cuz my adapter has no connections.
What I can tell you is it balances well enuf and the zoom and manual focus feel just right. The best thing about it is the FL range. Another good thing is that the shift from 3.5 to 4.5 is very gradual as it is zoomed (does NOT suddenly drop to 4.5 as soon as you dial past 10 or 12mm).
Its major deficit, to me, is absence of VR. OTOH maybe that is how they kept it to a reasonable size (for an ultrawide) without slowing the 24mm end to 5.6 or 6.3. I’m also using a Canon 10-18 but it starts at 4.5 and drops to 5.6 !
Aug 16, 2020 07:39:50 #
I highly recommend the 14-30 and 24-70 f4 Z native zoom lenses. While these are FF lenses their quality and relative affordability along with their compact size and light weight make them a superb choice.
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Aug 16, 2020 08:10:21 #
Walkabout08 wrote:
I highly recommend the 14-30 and 24-70 f4 Z native zoom lenses. While these are FF lenses their quality and relative affordability along with their compact size and light weight make them a superb choice.
Keep in mind that the Z50 has no IBIS and the 2 lenses you recommend have no VR.
I love those lenses for my Z6, but for the Z50 I stick with it's kit lenses that do have VR.
In keeping with the small size of the Z50, beyond the lenses designed for the Z50 I would stick with DX lenses that have VR.
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Aug 16, 2020 08:40:12 #
RLSprouse
Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)
I have a Z7 and several of the superb S-series lenses for it. But I recently noticed that Nikon has introduced a new lens for the Z system, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Lens. It's not an S-series lens, and I would not expect it to compete with them, but for an affordable, all-around one-lens solution, it sounds very interesting. I am intrigued, and am considering ordering it.
Aug 16, 2020 09:07:29 #
Bill_de wrote:
Keep in mind that the Z50 has no IBIS and the 2 lenses you recommend have no VR.
I love those lenses for my Z6, but for the Z50 I stick with it's kit lenses that do have VR.
In keeping with the small size of the Z50, beyond the lenses designed for the Z50 I would stick with DX lenses that have VR.
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I love those lenses for my Z6, but for the Z50 I stick with it's kit lenses that do have VR.
In keeping with the small size of the Z50, beyond the lenses designed for the Z50 I would stick with DX lenses that have VR.
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I’m with you about IBIS and VR.
I have one Nikon DX lens, 10-24, and it lacks VR. I use it on a Sony to get IBIS. The aperture control on the adapter is uncalibrated so I never know my exact f/stop ... but IBIS is more important to me than knowing a number. My f/stop is either max, min, or “midrange” ... no numbers involved.
So, for lack of IBIS the Z50 user might not enjoy the 10-24 :-( but it’s a rather nice lens on a Sony ;-) Surely Nikon will wake up and the Z52 (?) will have IBIS.
Aug 16, 2020 09:25:00 #
The "need" for image stabilization is minimal at 70mm, and pretty much non-existent with a wide angle. I might hesitate to buy the 24-70 without VR, but not the ultra wide.
Aug 16, 2020 09:36:55 #
Jerry Green
Loc: Huntsville, AL
I have been using the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens for Nikon F on the Z50 and D500 and it Works great. The Nikon AF-P 70-300mm VR works well too. I have used it for handheld video.
Aug 16, 2020 09:37:03 #
Bayou wrote:
The "need" for image stabilization is minimal at 70mm, and pretty much non-existent with a wide angle. I might hesitate to buy the 24-70 without VR, but not the ultra wide.
That is true ... for snapshots in well illuminated situations. Oft repeated “advice” is simply that, oft repeated. Prolly want a cracker ?
Aug 16, 2020 11:04:26 #
I almost bought a Z50 when I saw Nikon had body and two lenses on sale. Unfortunately, I thought it was the Z5. 
As for lenses, I don't like adapters, you could save money by using your current Nikon lenses. I'm sure they'll be a lot of overlap in the links below.
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-nikon-z-lenses-in-2020-best-lens-for-z6-z7-and-z50-mirrorless-cameras
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-5-best-nikon-nikkor-z-mount-lenses-2020-34791
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-z-mount-lenses/
EDIT: Here are three more I had "in storage."
https://www.nikonrumors.co/best-lenses-for-nikon-z6-z7/
https://www.techradar.com/best/best-f-mount-lenses-for-nikon-z
https://travelfornoobs.com/best-lenses-for-nikon-z7/
As for lenses, I don't like adapters, you could save money by using your current Nikon lenses. I'm sure they'll be a lot of overlap in the links below.
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-nikon-z-lenses-in-2020-best-lens-for-z6-z7-and-z50-mirrorless-cameras
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-5-best-nikon-nikkor-z-mount-lenses-2020-34791
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-z-mount-lenses/
EDIT: Here are three more I had "in storage."
https://www.nikonrumors.co/best-lenses-for-nikon-z6-z7/
https://www.techradar.com/best/best-f-mount-lenses-for-nikon-z
https://travelfornoobs.com/best-lenses-for-nikon-z7/
Aug 16, 2020 11:39:40 #
MrBumps2U wrote:
I recently acquired a Z50, both kit lenses and the... (show quote)
The type of lenses that will work best for you depend entirely on what you intend to shoot. Please tell us what subjects do you have in mind. How do you plan to use the lenses?
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Aug 16, 2020 13:22:12 #
JD750 wrote:
The type of lenses that will work best for you depend entirely on what you intend to shoot. Please tell us what subjects do you have in mind. How do you plan to use the lenses?
I had thought I was clear in my request, but I understand that I did not provide the full background. I apologize.
My primary photography concerns wildlife, with secondary interests in macro (my wife’s incredible garden) and concert photography (back in the days that we had concerts). I own a D500, a D810, and several dozen Nikon and Tamron lenses, mostly FF. I am NOT seeking to use the Z50 as my primary tool for any of those pursuits, and my lens needs would be pretty well covered anyway.
I am thinking of my Z50 as a lighter weight general purpose
walk-around camera, hence my interest in a one-lens option. The only F mount DX lenses I own are the Nikon DX 16-80 and the DX 18-300 f3.5-6.3. I could certainly use either of them with the FTZ adapter and have a more useful range than the two kit DX Z lenses individually. In keeping with the lightweight ethos of the Z50, I want to keep the one lens small-ish. Just wondering if any Z50 owners had favorites.
Aug 16, 2020 15:13:11 #
I have found that the AF-P lenses work well with the Z50. As you noted the 70-300mm FX AF-P balances nicely with the Z50 and the 10mm-20mm AF-P DX lens is small, light and very inexpensiive. For macro work the 40mm DX lens also pairs nicely with the Z50.
Aug 16, 2020 20:22:11 #
Frankly, I don't believe that 'balance' should be a thing, as long as you support the body with the right hand and the lens with the left hand.
Aug 16, 2020 22:02:19 #
JD750 wrote:
The type of lenses that will work best for you depend entirely on what you intend to shoot. Please tell us what subjects do you have in mind. How do you plan to use the lenses?
No need to know about subject matter. Hogsters always ask anyway, like they’re all expert Subject Specialists.
The OP knows his optical requirements / preferences as he plainly provided in the second paragraph. From those Hogsters who actually read that far, OP seems open to experienced feedback by users of any lenses such as he defined (one do-it-all lens, preference for longer FLs).
Subject matter could be family events, birdies, sports, Peeping Tommism, hats, garden parties ... hardly matters. Modern lenses do everything rather well but some are better built or more user friendly, etc, differences that actual users can report.
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