Best prime lens for Nikon Z6 street photography?

Question

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Nikon Z6 and I am loving the sensor, but I am struggling to pick the perfect prime lens for street photography. I have been using the kit zoom, but it is a bit too bulky and slow for capturing quick moments in the city.

I am torn between a few options:

The Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S for that classic wide feel

The Z 40mm f/2 because it is so tiny and discreet

Maybe an older F-mount lens with the FTZ adapter

I usually shoot around downtown in the evenings, so low light performance and autofocus speed are pretty important to me. Does anyone have experience with these on the Z6? Which one would you recommend for staying low-profile while still getting sharp shots?

JamesEmums · Accepted Answer

Honestly, just grab the Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2. It is usually around 280 bucks and way smaller than the S-line glass. I use it on my Z6 all the time and the autofocus is snappy enough for street. Ngl, using the FTZ adapter just makes everything feel front-heavy. For evening shots, f/2 is more than enough with the Z6 sensor.

lindamartin · Answer

I'm gonna suggest a different route. If you want that f/1.8 speed without the S-line price tag, check out the Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 Z. It's about 350 bucks and the autofocus is surprisingly snappy for street work. It is sharper than the 40mm and handles low light much better. Definitely worth considering if you dont want to spend a fortune but still need those clean night shots.

samantha_allen493 · Answer

Quickly jumping in here to agree about the FTZ, it really kills the ergonomics tbh. If you're doing a lot of night shooting downtown though, just go with any S-line prime from Nikon. They have much better coatings for handling street lights and flares. Basically any glass from that professional Nikon series is gonna be worth the extra weight for the image quality alone.