Yeah, I totally agree that finding that one "do-it-all" lens is the dream for traveling. I'm still pretty new to the Z system, but honestly, my main focus has always been on whether I can *trust* my gear when I'm far from home. Here is what I've noticed from my own experience:
- On my last trip, I decided to stick with just my current setup for the whole week because I was so worried about getting dirt or sand inside the camera body while swapping things out - especially when it was windy! - The one I got felt really sturdy, which gave me peace of mind. I’ve had gear fail on me before in the middle of a trip and it *totally* ruins the vibe when you can't take photos.
- Reliability is basically my #1 priority now. I'd rather have something that works every single time than the absolute sharpest thing that might feel a bit flimsy or risky. Does anyone else worry about the weather sealing or the mount strength when they're out exploring? I'm always a bit paranoid about something breaking while I'm abroad, tbh.

Just catching up on this thread. Honestly, I spent way too much time doing market research on various brands before my last trip because I'm always worried about compatibility issues when I'm far from home. I actually tested a few different setups and here is basically what I learned: * Native glass usually has much tighter tolerances and better weather sealing, which is a huge deal if you're hitting dusty or damp spots.
* Third-party options are definitely getting better, but I've noticed the autofocus communication can occasionally be a bit *weird* depending on the firmware version.
* Adapting glass from other systems sounds like a great way to save money, but it adds another mechanical failure point that I just didn't want to risk. Basically, I ended up sticking with a setup from the original manufacturer because I'd rather have something I can *totaly* trust than save a few bucks or ounces. It’s all about reliability when you only have one shot at a landscape, right? Definatly worth thinking about where you’re going and what you’re willing to risk.

For travel, I LOVE my Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6! Paid $799 last year. Super sharp and light, great for my Z5 II. Seriously versatile. Does it all! Have you considered that one?

Technically, for sharpness across the frame, consider a used Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 with an adapter. Surprisingly good, especially stopped down to f/8. Adapters are around $200. Worth a look?