Nikon Z 24-120mm F4 S customer lens review - by Andy, Lyons Photography
In association with Nikon, we lent one of our customers, Andy of Lyons Photography a lens to try out and review. As a Nikon Z series shooter, we knew he'd get the most out the Z 24-120mm F4 S lens with his Z6II setup. Read on to see some of his fantastic images and his thoughts about the lens.
Thoughts and Images
Although I only had the lens for a week it’s left a lasting good impression and in my short time of ownership I was fortunate enough to get some good conditions in some of my favourite local landscape hotspots to try it out. I tried to opt for places where the extra reach from my current 24-70 f4 lens would be most beneficial and in places where sometimes I might shoot with the 24-70 or the 70-200.
With my main genre of photography being landscape/seascape photography, only stopping down to f4 is not an issue for me with this lens with most shots in this field being shot between f8-f13. The lens on the body of my Z6II feels well balanced even when fully extended out to 120mm. I’m not the biggest fan of the lens extending as you zoom but as far as negative points for this lens this is about it. No chance to try the weather sealing capabilities (nor did I think I should, as I had to hand it back!) but I’m sure it would serve me well on a storm chase and not only that but be very handy focal range for this genre as well.
The above was shot looking down the coastline towards Weymouth and Portland at 24mm with the following image from the same location but at 96mm giving a sense of the level of zoom available from this lens:
The river Frome in Wareham is another favourite spot when conditions are calm and the mist is rising up from the water. Image above was shot at 120mm with the one below at 89mm:
A quick rush down to the shore side to capture the sunset after work. Shot at 28mm and more than capable to capture the scene.
Then being able to capture the same location but in a completely different composition as the conditions changed and light faded, this time at 100mm and no need to frantically change lenses out in the open conditions beside the sea.
It was only right that the lens should get to see the local favourite hot spot of Corfe Castle shrouded in mist on its last day with me. Some nice bokeh was a definite bonus and plus point with this image captured at 62mm and f9, leaving the castle and background hill tack sharp.
This final image captures the castle at 120mm, framing the scene nicely and again, no need to change from the 24-70 to the 70-200 lens whilst out in the field.
Summary
There will be plenty of in depth reviews out there from professionals with far greater knowledge than I on the technical specs of this lens but from my perspective this lens is a winner. Although I couldn’t compare like for like shots with the 24-70 f4 I own, the images I captured were as sharp as the high standards set by the 24-70 and there were really no downsides to it that I saw whilst in my ownership on my Z6II. I’d fully expect this to be bolted to my camera as my go to lens for general photography purposes and would also be excited to see how it worked out on the Z50 with its cropped sensor for wedding purposes allowing the Z6II to have a prime portrait lens all day.
Who is this lens for – I can see this lens being used by newbies through to seasoned pros. To the newbie looking to get into landscape photography it’s pin sharp, captures a great range that will see you through a wide range of scenes without having to change (or buy) another lens. To the seasoned pros I see this as a 24-70 killer in the landscape world and perhaps the new holy trinity will be the 14-24, 24-120 and then the 100-400???
Would I buy one? 100% yes….. can I buy one….? That’s another question but that’s the way the world is at the moment so I have to be patient and wait for stock to arrive but when there is stock then I’ll be purchasing one and chopping the 24-70 in against it.
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Posted by Graham Fry
5th April 2022
