30/01/2026 9:04 am
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Hey everyone — I’m shooting landscapes on a Nikon Z7 and I’m trying to settle on a “go-to” lens that really takes advantage of the 45MP sensor. I mostly shoot wide vistas and coastal scenes, often around sunrise/sunset, and I do a lot of hiking so weight matters (but I don’t want to sacrifice sharpness). I’m torn between going ultra-wide for dramatic foregrounds vs something like a 24–70 range for flexibility. Weather sealing would be a big plus, and my budget is roughly $1,000–$1,500 (used is fine). What lens would you recommend as the best landscape lens for the Z7, and why?
9 Answers
16
30/01/2026 10:35 am
In my experience, I’d go with Nikon’s own “S-line” glass in either a lightweight wide zoom or a compact standard zoom, and call it a day. The Z7 is kinda merciless at 45MP, so reliability + consistent sharpness matters more than chasing max specs.
A safe, hiking-friendly direction:
- Stick to Nikon Z-mount lenses with solid weather sealing (coast spray is brutal… learned that the hard way)
- Prioritize flare resistance for sunrise/sunset (cheap filters + salty mist can wreck contrast)
- If you shoot near cliffs/rocky shorelines, a wide zoom is safer (less lens swapping, less sensor dust)
- If you want one lens only, a standard zoom is the “boring but always works” choice
Either way, buy used from a reputable shop and check for decentering before ur first big trip. good luck!
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30/01/2026 9:35 am
- Quick q’s so I dont steer you wrong: are you mostly on a tripod at $$f/8$$ (edge-to-edge sharpness), or handheld at sunrise/sunset (needs stabilization/fast aperture)?
- Also, do you print big (like $$24\times36$$ and up) or mainly web/normal prints? That changes whether ultra-wide drama or a flexible mid-range makes more sense
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30/01/2026 10:25 am
Same setup here, love it
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30/01/2026 9:45 am
This ^
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12/03/2026 7:02 pm
Late to the party but honestly, the thread is leaning way too much on that 24-70 f/4. @Reply #5 - good point! Coastal spray is a killer, but I found the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S just isnt as good as expected when you are pixel peeping a Z7 sensor. Unfortunately, those corners really fall apart on the wider end and it feels a bit mediocre for 45MP landscapes. If you are doing coastal vistas, you really want the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S. It is light for hiking and actually lets you screw on 82mm filters directly which is a huge DIY win for protecting the glass from salt mist. I had issues with flare on mine tho, which was annoying, so you gotta keep the front element spotless. Basically, the mid-range suggestions here are safe, but a bit boring. If you want that dramatic foreground you mentioned, a 24mm start just wont cut it. Just watch out for copy variation if you buy used, as some of these S-line zooms have annoying QC issues. Test those corners as soon as it arrives...
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30/01/2026 9:04 am
> I’m torn between going ultra-wide… vs something like a 24–70
For your situation, I’d grab the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S used (~$450–$650) — I’ve hiked with it tons, it’s crazy sharp on the Z7, sealed, light… honestly a no-brainer!!
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17/03/2026 4:00 am
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
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29/03/2026 12:25 pm
Great info, saved!
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09/05/2026 1:50 pm
Saving this thread
