26/03/2026 5:01 am
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What prime lenses should I really be looking at for my Z6ii if I want to stay relatively light?
Ive been reading a ton of reviews lately and everyone seems to point toward the 50mm f1.8 S as the absolute must-buy lens for the system. People say its sharper than some of the old f1.4 glass which is wild but then I see others saying the 40mm f2 pancake lens is the way to go because the S-line stuff is actually kind of huge and heavy for a mirrorless setup. I am really torn because I want that crisp S-line quality but I am planning a trip to Kyoto this November and I dont want to be lugging around massive glass while walking 20k steps a day.
I have about 1200 bucks to spend and I was thinking about maybe getting the 35mm and 85mm combo but then I wonder if I should just get the 50mm and call it a day. Or maybe that 28mm f2.8 for the street stuff? It is all a bit overwhelming coming from the F-mount world where things felt simpler even if the tech was older. Do you guys think the image quality difference on the 1.8 S primes is actually noticeable for casual travel and some portraits or is the non-S stuff good enough for most people...
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26/03/2026 5:01 am
honestly i was in the same boat and ended up going with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 for my last trip. it is so tiny and light, basically makes the camera feel like a point and shoot. i am super satisfied with the image quality too. sure, it might not be quite as clinical as the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S but for travel photos and walking around all day, i have zero complaints. if you want something wider for street stuff in Kyoto, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 is another great cheap option that weighs nothing. i think for casual travel, the extra weight of the S-line lenses gets old really fast. save your money and your back... those small primes are more than good enough for most of us. you really wont notice the difference unless you are pixel peeping like crazy.
10
26/03/2026 5:35 am
Late to the thread but I had a similar struggle moving from my old D750 setup to the Z series. I spent weeks debating between the S-line glass and the smaller stuff before a trip to Tokyo last year. I ended up carrying both for a while and honestly, the technical differences are there if you look for them, but for travel, weight is a real killer after 15k steps. Here is what I found from using them side-by-side:
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: This lens is technically perfect imo. Zero chromatic aberration and sharp from corner to corner even at f/1.8. It feels like a high-end professional tool, but it is twice as long as the non-S primes and can feel a bit front-heavy after a full day.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S: My favorite for street stuff. It handles flare way better than the cheaper lenses and the weather sealing is nice peace of mind if Kyoto gets rainy in November.
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8: It is surprisingly capable for the price. It doesnt have the micro-contrast or pop of the S-line, but it is so light you basically have a point-and-shoot. I think the image quality on the S-line is noticeable if you are printing large, but for casual memories, the compacts are decent enough for most situations. You could grab the 35mm S for the important shots and the 28mm for the light days and stay way under your 1200 budget. Hope you have an awesome trip, Kyoto is incredible that time of year!
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26/03/2026 5:45 am
Seconded!
