I switched to Olympus a while ago, yet still enjoy your reviews. There's nothing better than hearing you again, when it comes to lens reviews. For me it's always you and Dustin Abbott. Keep it up!
@@frankluo230 because consumers are shifting toward full frame cameras. You still have a choice to use full frame lenses or adapt Nikon DX glass, too. They made Z 18-140mm VR, 16-50mm VR, 50-250mm VR. 24mm DX, and 12-28mm DX are coming soon. 28mm f2.8 and 40mm f2 are relatively cheap. What lens do you need in DX format? I have Peargear 12mm f2. Viltrox is pumping solid lenses for Nikon Z system, FX and DX. Nikon is sitting pretty at this moment.
@@eldindokara7868 I think Nikon is not teaming up with Viltrox in any way shape or form. If anythiny, Nikon would happily sue Viltrox for Z mount patents infringement. Look at Nikon's DX lenses, you can't really rely on 28f2.8 and 40f2 as DX only walk around lenses. Consumers are shifting to full frame but the process takes 8-10yr to complete, not instantly. At the moment I would rank Fuji X, Canon M, and Sony aps E mount ahead of Nikon Z DX. Adapting a non E DX lens like 16-80, 17-55, 12-24 to Z50 is a PITA. The aperture constantly actuating inside FTZ makes a worryingly clicking noise.
@@frankluo230 well which lens do you need for dx? The 18-140mm pretty much covers every range you need. Nikon is not partnering with any companies yet. They are building their own lenses first and once they are in a better financial state, they will probably allow 3rd party to make z lenses. The reality is apsc don't sell as well like it used to be. Even Sony has removed several APSC cameras. A6600 and A6100 have been discontinued. Nikon releasing new dx lenses just shows that they still care for their dx customers.
Great review, as always!!! I have just received my copy of that lens and had the chance to take it out for some landscape photography on my z7-ii today…I am impressed and very very happy with the results. I still own the old f-mount 24-120 and will keep that for my D750.
I'm new to Nikon's Z mount FF and bought the 24-120mm S instead of the 24-70mm F/2.8 S lens based solely on this review. I'm extremely impressed! The image quality is like nothing I've ever seen with a zoom lens. I've only been adapting my Zeiss and Sigma Art primes with an FTZ adapter up to this point, but am willing to take the plunge and start investing in Nikon's Z mount lenses if they are all this good!
Agree, I had originally owned and tested the Z6 with 24-70mm f/4 and even with adapted lenses...I just wasn't a fan. Image quality wasn't bad or anything, but I guess I was spoiled. I have an extremely sharp copy of the 24-70mm f/2.8E VR, it's sharp corner to corner even when wide open at f/2.8! It's a newer model as it has the same dark gray lettering or font style on it's rear barrel. It looks like the new Z-lenses do, with the dark gray writing on the rear of the lens' barrel. Anyways, long story short...I am now an owner of this lens...the 24-120mm f/4 S and open-box Z7. I thought originally I might not be too satisfied with it, so I made sure to buy from Amazon as they offer no hassle 30 day returns and if you make sure to buy "Ships From and Sold by Amazon" you're good. So now I've had this setup for a few days and...I am in love! With the 3.4 firmware update Nikon made the Z6 and Z7 very competitive and very capable, even or especially autofocus, is vastly improved. It was like using a completely different camera compared to the early Z6 NPS sent me, which I had promptly sent back after only 24 hours, lol. I still absolutely love my D6 and I'll probably use the D6 for another couple of years, alongside my D500 and Z7, I have pretty much everything covered. All I typically have in my bag nowadays is a Z7 with 24-120mm f/4 S, an FTZ II adapter, my D6 attached to my 500mm f/4E VR FL and my 70-200mm f/2.8E VR FL. I recently sold my beloved 24-70mm f/2.8E VR and my D5's...I sold off over the past few months. Either way though my bag definitely is or at least feels lighter and my lower back is a big fan of the Z7 and 24-120mm f/4 weight! The only wide angle lens I've personally used that matches this lens around the 24-28mm mark is the Nikon 28mm f/1.4E! A remarkable lens in it's own right, but in a zoom....prime-like sharpness! Plus as long as you have a body with VR/IBIS this lens can compensate for it's narrow'er aperture value. I thought that I would miss that important stop of light, going from an f/2.8 to an f/4 zoom, but I haven't regretted this decision yet! The 24-120mm f/4 S is a fantastic lens and probably the best "super-zoom" lens ever made. I sure do use my 70-200mm f/2.8E VR FL a lot less now that I have the 70-120mm range along with the 45.7mp sensor...I can usually "just crop" my way to where I wanted to be composition wise. This lens is definitely a game changer for me and probably many others. I highly, highly recommend this lens! 5 Stars, for sure!!!
I’ve been looking at these lenses for a while also. This one and the 28-75 are the best for the price. With those two, it really comes down to the focal lengths that you need. The 24-70 F 2.8 is the best of the lot with a price tag to match! lol
Kept looking out for your review on this lens. Once again, you do not disappoint. Without a doubt you're one of the best reviewers on YTB. Excellent review. Straight to the point and no long wasted talk like so many big name reviewers.
I can only confirm your results. I have recently purchased it and used it for an outdoor photoshoot. simply stunning results. I will probably sell my Z 24-70 f4. Well done Nikon
Great review Chris! Thanks a lot. I've already have it. It's the 3rd version I've got. I purchased the first one on 2002 (with my "analog" Nikon F80 camera, then in 2013 (the DSLR F4 version), and finally this one from the end of last december 2021 and I'm very happy with the improvements. You are right: it's perfect for travelling, and pretty good for landscape, portraits... And don't forget it is great for close-ups with the 0.35 m/1.15 ft mimimum focusing distance.
There is nothing like your review of the lenses, you are number 1, before I buy a lens I first look for what you say, you are the most professional on TH-cam.
Great review, good to see Nikon continue to impress with their new lenses. I have the F mount version and it's one of my favorite lenses, it's only real downfall is it's a bit soft at 120mm on the high-res bodies.
I have the previous F Mount 24-120mm f/4 lens that came with my D750 and I have to say I have been more than satisfied with this particular lens. Yes it does have a strong vignette at 120 mm f/4 but sometimes this leads to a more pleasant portrait photo. Other than that I can lens correct on DX0 PhotoLab and it turns out fine. It's sharp and the image quality IMHO is very good, an excellent carry around lens. I do use older Nikkor prime lens as well that cover this range but the sheer convenience of this zoom lens makes it a keeper. I'm upgrading to a Z5 but going to keep the older lens for the time being through an adaptor. I'm glad Nikon has released th Zed mount version, it makes a compelling purchase in which I may do one day. Thank you for your excellent review!
I was waiting for that one... trying to decide if it is worth having the 28-75 f2.8 and the 24-120 f4. The autofocus on this 24-120 definitely seems like a selling point. Thanks for the review.
Honestly with the performance of Nikon's IBIS and the low noise of most full frame cameras I doubt having both gives you much. For portraiture and such the 75 might be a bit short, while 120/4 is pretty much the same as 75/2.8 as far as background blur goes.
@@Azeemmerchant how it is a bummer, when even the higher end Nikon Z lenses doesn’t have a VR because all Nikon body’s have a built in VR. So no it’s not a bummer.
Detailed and informative, and slightly GAS inducing.. lovely lens, I just sold my 24-70 f4 to go all primes in the 20-85 range - I might have to rethink that strategy now🙄 Thanks for taking the time to produce this fantastic content 👍👍 you’re awesome 👏
@@amitkrupal1234 It looks like Sony really hit their stride in recent years with their lenses, and the 24 105 predates that, certainly doesn't seem as sharp as this 24 120
Finally, it got reviewed! Thanks a bunch Chris!! Unfortunately this lens wasn't available at the store when I bought Z6 II and had to settle down for 24-70 (a good one though!). Crisp and very helpful review. Thanks!!
Another fantastic lens review! Nikon is producing some really good lenses for their ‘Z’ mount. This ‘street sweeper’ lens is hard to beat for it’s range and versatility. Very popular in the ‘F’ mount and looks like it will continue in the Zed mount. Good observation about the hood. I applaud Nikon for including hoods, unlike ‘cheap o’ Canon. But it seems Manufacturers have cheapened some of their hoods, and many are fiddly at best. Take care and God Bless.
I hope you review the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 lens soon. It seems this and the 24-120mm are direct competitors for the Nikon Z super zoom range, and I've heard amazing things about the 24-200
Out in the field, If 120mm is not enough, 200mm usually isn't much better. It is a lot closer than people tend to beLieve looking at numbers. However F4 and F6.3 is one and a third stop of light, that is huge in a lot of situations. 24-200 was probably the best non S lens but 24-120 is a S lens straight up.
@@BigBrother-r5o from usability point of view yes . At the same aperture, sharpness in the mid frame and corner, I doubt 24-120 has much edge. 24-200 is no slouch in sharpness.
@@frankluo230 Nikon should have included VR with the 24-120 at this price. It would have made the owners of the 24-200 switch. In this case, the 24-200 may be better for hiking and handheld outdoor video. probably at 120 mm the difference is one stop.
First time viewer and I really enjoyed the "eye charts" in the corner of the image and the grid chart -- each made it much easier to get an idea of how the lens performed at various focal lengths and apertures. Thumbs up!
Aw fuck. Why did this lens have to be good? I just bought the Z9. I don’t have any money left. Probably gonna buy it anyway 🤣 Thanks Chris for fueling my GAS
Would you ever show the samples with distortion correction enabled to see how much it corrects? Feel this is an important part of the review since this is how the lens will almost likely be used.
It's almost entirely first-order distortion so there's basically no reason why it wouldn't be fully corrected. Distortion correction at 24 mm would also improve peripheral illumination a bit due to cropping.
Yea, but some people will be very disappointed if the lens they just bought doesnt hold up to extravagant marketing companies use, Its best to have Chris check those corners and quarks than having to go through the returns process :D
I'm impressed. I was thinking of buying the kit 24-70 f4 for half the price used. But comparing this, at the corners and AF, I'm going to wait to see this bad boy used!
I have to admit i wasn't expecting what i saw in this review, in a good way. I'm one who's always skeptical of zoom lenses, especially when the zoom range is huge. With Nikon putting out lenses like these, i suppose i don't miss sigma and Tamron. I'm all about image quality when I'm choosing what lenses to buy.
I'm with ya, but have been pleasantly surprised with my Z 24-200. With the VR I find I rarely use my 24-70 F4. This 24-120 may replace my 24-200 though :D.
I have the 24-120 f/4 and paid $1250. No regrets this lens is amazing and also it handles backlight situations very well. One of the best lenses I have every used.
As a Nikon DSLR user for years, I always envied Canon’s 24-105 f4 which often came bundled with their full frame kits. Nikon came up with the 24-120 G but it wasn’t popular among pros because of the trade-offs in optical quality. Now Nikon has a proper ‘all-arounder’ and I plan to get it as a kit with the Z8.
Great review as always. I'd be very interested in how the 24-200mm from Nikon performs. It's even lighter than the 24-120mm and I've heard rumors that it's not bad. That plus the 14-30mm could be a dream lightweight setup. (But I'm still waiting for a lightweight high megapixel body to go with these light lenses...)
I have the 14-30 and 24-200 on my Z7 as travel landscape lenses. My only gripe with the 24-200 is the vignetting and dark maximum aperture of f6.3 at the long end. I also have to stop down to f8 to get good sharpness at the long end so it gets even darker.
I'm very happy with my 24-200. use it for hiking. Only the range from 170-200 isn't as sharp as it could be. And no real sunstars unfortunately. But the photos look brilliant, you can even do some allround portraits and macro.
the 24-200 has OIS/VR stabilization, which is better for video. It is pretty sharp. The only downside is the variable aperture. I also have the 24-70 f4, which I bought used. If the 24-120 had OIS/VR I would sell the other 2 lenses in a heartbeat for the newer lens. The 24-200 is lighter, so for hiking and daytime photos it may be just as good. For outdoor handheld video may be even better as the combination of OIS/VR and IBIS is better than IBIS alone.
Brilliant optics! Kudos to Nikon. I think this lens by its own can be both a system saver and a system seller. I wish I could see it's result on apsc too, even though the ack of stabilizer on Z50 will be a real consideration.
This will have to be my next lens. So truly enjoy all your reviews Christopher. I chose the Z6ii last year after a year of research and partly because of the excellence of it's "kit" f4 and the 24-100 with VR. I have only become more and more impressed with the platform. The AF is now close enough to what I'd ever need.... though still looking for the next FW update to bring its speed and reliability a tad closer to CaSony (3D?!).
Hola Christopher. Desde hace un tiempo ya, he venido siguiendo tus análisis y comentarios sobre equipos fotográficos y, aunque veo muchas opiniones sobre, por ejemplo, una lente en particular, me he dado cuenta que siempre pongo tus opiniones entre las más importantes. Me gusta tu honestidad de tus críticas ilustradas y debo añadir que, aunque en un principio no puse mucha atención, a medida que veía tus publicaciones en youtube, notaba que había algo especial añadido que me invitaba a confiar en tus opiniones sobre fotografía. Hoy, ya sé la respuesta. Entre palabras, las imágenes de tu familia, los paisajes o incluso algo tan sencillo como la imagen de una lámpara encendida, un camino a la orilla del mar... todo tiene algo en común y es tu buen testimonio de vida cristiana que, a mi parecer, el una forma hermosa de evangelizar a quienes no le conocen a Él. Te deseo lo mejor y éxitos a futuro. Dios te bendiga el especial don de la palabra que tienes y la manera especial como la expresas a través de la fotografía. Saludos desde Panamá.
Great review. I just ordered this lens and cannot wait to use it on my Z6ii. Question: what are the in-camera corrections that you spoke about and where do you go to turn them on?
I hope you could still guide me in my decision making. I do have the nikon 24-70 f4 s lens. This coming June, we'll be having a trip to Vietnam and I'm planning to upgrade the said lens to the 24-120 f4 and bring along the 50 f1.8 s for lowlight situations. Is the 24-120 f4 a substantial upgrade from 24-70 f4 lens?
Thank you. Now I consider to replace the 24-70 f4 with this one. I have used the 28-300 with the adapter most of the time, because 70mm was to less. But this combination is quite heavy. The 24-120mm would be a nice compromise.
Some lenses just have some kind of balance in them, that's hard to point out when looking at images zoomed out and not pixel peep, it produces wonderful photos with character. And kudos to the photographer as well.
Can you kindly comment on the lack of VR in this lens? Your experience on longer focal length with No in-lens stabilization for photo nd videos... Was waiting for your review of this particular lens... Thanks alot ❤️🙌
For me Z 24-200 is now the togo lens that is always attached to my camera. great range and just one lens to carry while hiking, traveling. unless I know I won't need over 70 mm.
thanks for this nice video. The 24-120mm f mount on the D750 already had an almost 3-dimensional or three-dimensional reproduction of insects in the right evening light. Although I didn't have a macro lens, I used it to photograph wasps, which my Sigma 105mm couldn't reproduce so vividly. Unfortunately, my financial possibilities are not in a position to try it out. Thanks for the trip to photographic wonderland. Always good light and perfect objects, Greetings from Germany, Raule
Thanks for an amazing review! Do you think the differences in sharpness between this lens and the 24-70mm 2.8 would be noticeable in some real life scenarios? If so which ones?
Hello Christopher, anymore older Nikon F mount lens review like the Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 G ED VR? I heard that this is a great FX lens for the money.
@@christopherfrost what’s left, just the 24-200, 70-200, 100-400, 28 and imminent 400/TC? Would love to see you get your hands on the 100 1.4E for F mount.
I would be happy if you would also test sun stars (from the real sun) in your reviews in the future. Sunstars from artificial light sometimes behave differently compared to the real sun. For example, I think of the Nikon 14-30mm f4 S in particular: lights on the Christmas tree look fantastic (see here: "DPReview TV: The great ultra-wide sunstar shootout"). But at the same settings with the real sun, the sun stars seem a bit jumpy and form less defined rays. You have to google for sample images. Furthermore, it is important that the atmosphere is free of any haze, dust, clouds, so that you get sunstars (whether beautiful or less beautiful). Of course, all sunstars can gain a boost towards beauty when the sun hangs in the dense treetop with lots of leaves or scratches another edge of an object (mountain, house wall, etc.). However, this type of test is rather less meaningful. As a landscape photographer I like to position the sun in the sky without an object scratching the sun. Okay, sometimes the sun hangs between branches etc. ;-) I would also like to point out something else: Sunstars also change with the focal length of the lens. For example, the new Nikon 24-70 f4 S has a nice sun star with defined lines at 24mm and f16 (or is it f22 at the end?) but no defined rays emerge at 35mm, 50mm and 70mm (anything above 24mm). Despite the closed aperture, these rays appear to have fanned out. I hope you understand my request Chris. Therefore, I would be happy if you consider all focal lengths with a closed aperture in your reviews and use the right sun (free atmosphere) as the light source. I've seen a lot of reviews here on TH-cam and unfortunately the sunstars are very often neglected! As a landscape photographer who wants really nice sunstars (bless the old Nikon 20mm f1.8!), it's difficult to find this info on a number of websites. I think this adds even more value to your reviews :) I hope I'm not alone with my thoughts and desires and would appreciate a "thumbs up" so Chris can read this. So thanks again for everything and may God bless you!
I love watching ur lens reviews (all of them) even when I'm not planing purchasing them. I always check out ur reviews when I get one as well. The real question is, how many cameras you have Chris?
I had the f mount version years ago but when compared to the Z version, its even better especially when you're in a ballroom with yellow downlights. This Z version is sharper even at f16. I found this lens to be great between f8 and f11
Hello Robert, the Nikon Z bodies have options in the menu to enable or disable certain software based corrections for CPU lenses (so all the Z mount lenses and most F mount). These corrections are: Vignette control, Diffraction compensation, Auto distortion control. Nikon is not the only manufacturer that has these, Sony and Canon have their own versions of the same, just as almost all DSLRs used to have one version or another of the same software corrections. Hope this answers your question. Cheers
Hello! Nice concise review. Thank you. Where you did you shoot the tests? Wherever you are looks lovely. I need more castles in my life. Colorado USA has precious few.
I'm a little disappointed that Nikon did not include VR in this lens, especially given it's a longer lens (than say the 24-70 2.8) and it's a stop slower as well. Their 24-120 F-mount lens does have VR (although in fairness, the DSLRs do not have IBIS but still, I feel at the longer end beyond about 70mm, VR really starts to show its benefits over IBIS). I think that aside from the distortion (which the F-mount also suffered from) this is a good optical improvement over the older F-mount f/4G version, in terms of sharpness, at both ends of the focal range, so I do have to say I'm impressed. Usually with lenses of this type, with a larger focal range, there tends to be a compromise at at least one of the ends (long or short) in favor of the other, but this is actually surprisingly sharp overall throughout the zoom range. I also feel that NIkon's new lens coatings really do help it maintain good contrast and minimizes flaring which is a good thing. The nano coat used on some of the higher end F-mount lenses was good, but I think whatever they are using on the new Z mount lenses is a tad bit better (the nano coat wasn't bad, but the Z mount coatings are just better).
can you please do a VR comparison of this with 24-200 or 2.8 70-200? Both of those have VR. i'd like to know how much movement there is in this lens compared to the VR lenses at equilvalent focal lengths. Is the lack of VR in this lens significant all the way out at 120mm. also would be cool if you compared it to the RF 24-105 and Sony equilvalent
I've just watched another review that shows huge focus breathing on this lens. Is it possible that closer subjects show more breathing (so if you're pulling focus from something a few metres away to tens of metres)?
I got this lens from Nikon Germany one month ago. Very happy with it and it’s been by far my most used lens since
You have a fast lane to these Nikon lenses. Great review as always!
I switched to Olympus a while ago, yet still enjoy your reviews. There's nothing better than hearing you again, when it comes to lens reviews. For me it's always you and Dustin Abbott. Keep it up!
Nikon is really making fantastic lenses for the Z series.
And forgot about their z50 and zfc users. Why bother launching a system with only 2-3lens made for it
@@frankluo230 you’re a glass half empty type of guy huh
@@frankluo230 because consumers are shifting toward full frame cameras. You still have a choice to use full frame lenses or adapt Nikon DX glass, too. They made Z 18-140mm VR, 16-50mm VR, 50-250mm VR. 24mm DX, and 12-28mm DX are coming soon. 28mm f2.8 and 40mm f2 are relatively cheap. What lens do you need in DX format? I have Peargear 12mm f2. Viltrox is pumping solid lenses for Nikon Z system, FX and DX. Nikon is sitting pretty at this moment.
@@eldindokara7868 I think Nikon is not teaming up with Viltrox in any way shape or form. If anythiny, Nikon would happily sue Viltrox for Z mount patents infringement. Look at Nikon's DX lenses, you can't really rely on 28f2.8 and 40f2 as DX only walk around lenses. Consumers are shifting to full frame but the process takes 8-10yr to complete, not instantly. At the moment I would rank Fuji X, Canon M, and Sony aps E mount ahead of Nikon Z DX. Adapting a non E DX lens like 16-80, 17-55, 12-24 to Z50 is a PITA. The aperture constantly actuating inside FTZ makes a worryingly clicking noise.
@@frankluo230 well which lens do you need for dx? The 18-140mm pretty much covers every range you need. Nikon is not partnering with any companies yet. They are building their own lenses first and once they are in a better financial state, they will probably allow 3rd party to make z lenses. The reality is apsc don't sell as well like it used to be. Even Sony has removed several APSC cameras. A6600 and A6100 have been discontinued. Nikon releasing new dx lenses just shows that they still care for their dx customers.
Great review, as always!!! I have just received my copy of that lens and had the chance to take it out for some landscape photography on my z7-ii today…I am impressed and very very happy with the results. I still own the old f-mount 24-120 and will keep that for my D750.
I'm new to Nikon's Z mount FF and bought the 24-120mm S instead of the 24-70mm F/2.8 S lens based solely on this review. I'm extremely impressed! The image quality is like nothing I've ever seen with a zoom lens. I've only been adapting my Zeiss and Sigma Art primes with an FTZ adapter up to this point, but am willing to take the plunge and start investing in Nikon's Z mount lenses if they are all this good!
Agree, I had originally owned and tested the Z6 with 24-70mm f/4 and even with adapted lenses...I just wasn't a fan. Image quality wasn't bad or anything, but I guess I was spoiled. I have an extremely sharp copy of the 24-70mm f/2.8E VR, it's sharp corner to corner even when wide open at f/2.8! It's a newer model as it has the same dark gray lettering or font style on it's rear barrel. It looks like the new Z-lenses do, with the dark gray writing on the rear of the lens' barrel. Anyways, long story short...I am now an owner of this lens...the 24-120mm f/4 S and open-box Z7. I thought originally I might not be too satisfied with it, so I made sure to buy from Amazon as they offer no hassle 30 day returns and if you make sure to buy "Ships From and Sold by Amazon" you're good. So now I've had this setup for a few days and...I am in love! With the 3.4 firmware update Nikon made the Z6 and Z7 very competitive and very capable, even or especially autofocus, is vastly improved. It was like using a completely different camera compared to the early Z6 NPS sent me, which I had promptly sent back after only 24 hours, lol. I still absolutely love my D6 and I'll probably use the D6 for another couple of years, alongside my D500 and Z7, I have pretty much everything covered. All I typically have in my bag nowadays is a Z7 with 24-120mm f/4 S, an FTZ II adapter, my D6 attached to my 500mm f/4E VR FL and my 70-200mm f/2.8E VR FL. I recently sold my beloved 24-70mm f/2.8E VR and my D5's...I sold off over the past few months. Either way though my bag definitely is or at least feels lighter and my lower back is a big fan of the Z7 and 24-120mm f/4 weight! The only wide angle lens I've personally used that matches this lens around the 24-28mm mark is the Nikon 28mm f/1.4E! A remarkable lens in it's own right, but in a zoom....prime-like sharpness! Plus as long as you have a body with VR/IBIS this lens can compensate for it's narrow'er aperture value. I thought that I would miss that important stop of light, going from an f/2.8 to an f/4 zoom, but I haven't regretted this decision yet! The 24-120mm f/4 S is a fantastic lens and probably the best "super-zoom" lens ever made. I sure do use my 70-200mm f/2.8E VR FL a lot less now that I have the 70-120mm range along with the 45.7mp sensor...I can usually "just crop" my way to where I wanted to be composition wise. This lens is definitely a game changer for me and probably many others. I highly, highly recommend this lens! 5 Stars, for sure!!!
Try the 50mm 1.8 z. I love it.
I would love a comparison between the 24-70 f4, 24-120 f4, 28-75mm f2.8 and the 24-70 f2.8.
yes,which is worth to buy？
I’ve been looking at these lenses for a while also. This one and the 28-75 are the best for the price. With those two, it really comes down to the focal lengths that you need. The 24-70 F 2.8 is the best of the lot with a price tag to match! lol
Kept looking out for your review on this lens. Once again, you do not disappoint. Without a doubt you're one of the best reviewers on YTB. Excellent review. Straight to the point and no long wasted talk like so many big name reviewers.
I can only confirm your results. I have recently purchased it and used it for an outdoor photoshoot. simply stunning results. I will probably sell my Z 24-70 f4. Well done Nikon
Great review Chris! Thanks a lot. I've already have it. It's the 3rd version I've got. I purchased the first one on 2002 (with my "analog" Nikon F80 camera, then in 2013 (the DSLR F4 version), and finally this one from the end of last december 2021 and I'm very happy with the improvements. You are right: it's perfect for travelling, and pretty good for landscape, portraits... And don't forget it is great for close-ups with the 0.35 m/1.15 ft mimimum focusing distance.
There is nothing like your review of the lenses, you are number 1, before I buy a lens I first look for what you say, you are the most professional on TH-cam.
Great review, good to see Nikon continue to impress with their new lenses. I have the F mount version and it's one of my favorite lenses, it's only real downfall is it's a bit soft at 120mm on the high-res bodies.
I have the previous F Mount 24-120mm f/4 lens that came with my D750 and I have to say I have been more than satisfied with this particular lens. Yes it does have a strong vignette at 120 mm f/4 but sometimes this leads to a more pleasant portrait photo. Other than that I can lens correct on DX0 PhotoLab and it turns out fine. It's sharp and the image quality IMHO is very good, an excellent carry around lens. I do use older Nikkor prime lens as well that cover this range but the sheer convenience of this zoom lens makes it a keeper. I'm upgrading to a Z5 but going to keep the older lens for the time being through an adaptor. I'm glad Nikon has released th Zed mount version, it makes a compelling purchase in which I may do one day. Thank you for your excellent review!
I was waiting for that one... trying to decide if it is worth having the 28-75 f2.8 and the 24-120 f4. The autofocus on this 24-120 definitely seems like a selling point. Thanks for the review.
Honestly with the performance of Nikon's IBIS and the low noise of most full frame cameras I doubt having both gives you much. For portraiture and such the 75 might be a bit short, while 120/4 is pretty much the same as 75/2.8 as far as background blur goes.
Lack of VR in this lens is a bummer...otherwise its excellent ❤️🙌
@@Azeemmerchant how it is a bummer, when even the higher end Nikon Z lenses doesn’t have a VR because all Nikon body’s have a built in VR.
So no it’s not a bummer.
I already have a 24-70 F/4 so I am leaning towards the 28-75mm F/2.8 personally.
@@hofra01 IBIS only works on wider focal lengths. Going past 85ish, OIS is superior in stabilizing the image.
Oh man I was waiting for your review on this lens, thanx a lot Chris Its a great review for a great lens.
Detailed and informative, and slightly GAS inducing.. lovely lens, I just sold my 24-70 f4 to go all primes in the 20-85 range - I might have to rethink that strategy now🙄
Thanks for taking the time to produce this fantastic content 👍👍 you’re awesome 👏
If this lens was on Sony, I'd buy it immediately, what a great option for landscape, bravo Nikon
But doesn't sony have 24-105 f/4
@@amitkrupal1234 It looks like Sony really hit their stride in recent years with their lenses, and the 24 105 predates that, certainly doesn't seem as sharp as this 24 120
@@amitkrupal1234 try comparing build and image quality... You will get the point..❤️🙌
I would just get the tamron 35 150 on sony
@@axelfiraxa there are worlds betwenn 24mm and 35mm
Finally, it got reviewed! Thanks a bunch Chris!! Unfortunately this lens wasn't available at the store when I bought Z6 II and had to settle down for 24-70 (a good one though!). Crisp and very helpful review. Thanks!!
Another fantastic lens review! Nikon is producing some really good lenses for their ‘Z’ mount.
This ‘street sweeper’ lens is hard to beat for it’s range and versatility. Very popular in the ‘F’ mount and looks like it will continue in the Zed mount.
Good observation about the hood. I applaud Nikon for including hoods, unlike ‘cheap o’ Canon. But it seems Manufacturers have cheapened some of their hoods, and many are fiddly at best.
Take care and God Bless.
I hope you review the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 lens soon. It seems this and the 24-120mm are direct competitors for the Nikon Z super zoom range, and I've heard amazing things about the 24-200
Out in the field, If 120mm is not enough, 200mm usually isn't much better. It is a lot closer than people tend to beLieve looking at numbers. However F4 and F6.3 is one and a third stop of light, that is huge in a lot of situations. 24-200 was probably the best non S lens but 24-120 is a S lens straight up.
@@BigBrother-r5o from usability point of view yes . At the same aperture, sharpness in the mid frame and corner, I doubt 24-120 has much edge. 24-200 is no slouch in sharpness.
@@BigBrother-r5o the 24-200 is perfect for hiking and travel ;)
@@frankluo230 Nikon should have included VR with the 24-120 at this price. It would have made the owners of the 24-200 switch. In this case, the 24-200 may be better for hiking and handheld outdoor video. probably at 120 mm the difference is one stop.
Image quality on the 24-200mm isn't great - this 24-120 is superior!
Thanks for the review! I am now glad that I pre-ordered this lens.
This lens make me think investing in Z system
How about Tamron 50-400?
I went for Z and no regrets. Damn the colors sooc are beautiful, for raw too. And the lenses are amazing.
Waiting impatiently for my copy of this lens. Backordered everywhere.
You will love it and i hope you get it soon. Using it for last 1 month and have not touched my 24-70 2.8 G ED non VR F mount lens
First time viewer and I really enjoyed the "eye charts" in the corner of the image and the grid chart -- each made it much easier to get an idea of how the lens performed at various focal lengths and apertures. Thumbs up!
This lens is the first reason to go to the new Nikon Z cameras !
Finally...two years after the release...
Aw fuck. Why did this lens have to be good? I just bought the Z9. I don’t have any money left. Probably gonna buy it anyway 🤣 Thanks Chris for fueling my GAS
Would you ever show the samples with distortion correction enabled to see how much it corrects? Feel this is an important part of the review since this is how the lens will almost likely be used.
It's almost entirely first-order distortion so there's basically no reason why it wouldn't be fully corrected. Distortion correction at 24 mm would also improve peripheral illumination a bit due to cropping.
You can see the corrected image at 3:23.
@@okaro6595 not the distortion grid I was looking for. All good.
Nikon has some incredible in camera corrections
Just got the lens 2 days ago. Is amazing 👌
There's not such a thing as a bad lens those days. And I like it! Bravo Nikon!
Yea, but some people will be very disappointed if the lens they just bought doesnt hold up to extravagant marketing companies use, Its best to have Chris check those corners and quarks than having to go through the returns process :D
@@samuelgoad7320 indeed! Thank God that we've a such hero as Christopher ❤️😉
This lens also makes lovely sunstars. At least compared to previous model (f4 G)
I'm impressed. I was thinking of buying the kit 24-70 f4 for half the price used. But comparing this, at the corners and AF, I'm going to wait to see this bad boy used!
I have to admit i wasn't expecting what i saw in this review, in a good way. I'm one who's always skeptical of zoom lenses, especially when the zoom range is huge. With Nikon putting out lenses like these, i suppose i don't miss sigma and Tamron. I'm all about image quality when I'm choosing what lenses to buy.
I'm with ya, but have been pleasantly surprised with my Z 24-200. With the VR I find I rarely use my 24-70 F4. This 24-120 may replace my 24-200 though :D.
I have the 24-120 f/4 and paid $1250. No regrets this lens is amazing and also it handles backlight situations very well.
One of the best lenses I have every used.
As a Nikon DSLR user for years, I always envied Canon’s 24-105 f4 which often came bundled with their full frame kits. Nikon came up with the 24-120 G but it wasn’t popular among pros because of the trade-offs in optical quality. Now Nikon has a proper ‘all-arounder’ and I plan to get it as a kit with the Z8.
Great review as always. I'd be very interested in how the 24-200mm from Nikon performs. It's even lighter than the 24-120mm and I've heard rumors that it's not bad. That plus the 14-30mm could be a dream lightweight setup. (But I'm still waiting for a lightweight high megapixel body to go with these light lenses...)
I have the 14-30 and 24-200 on my Z7 as travel landscape lenses. My only gripe with the 24-200 is the vignetting and dark maximum aperture of f6.3 at the long end. I also have to stop down to f8 to get good sharpness at the long end so it gets even darker.
I'm very happy with my 24-200. use it for hiking. Only the range from 170-200 isn't as sharp as it could be. And no real sunstars unfortunately.
But the photos look brilliant, you can even do some allround portraits and macro.
the 24-200 has OIS/VR stabilization, which is better for video. It is pretty sharp. The only downside is the variable aperture. I also have the 24-70 f4, which I bought used. If the 24-120 had OIS/VR I would sell the other 2 lenses in a heartbeat for the newer lens. The 24-200 is lighter, so for hiking and daytime photos it may be just as good. For outdoor handheld video may be even better as the combination of OIS/VR and IBIS is better than IBIS alone.
Come on Nikon, I've been waiting for almost two months for this lens!
Brilliant optics! Kudos to Nikon. I think this lens by its own can be both a system saver and a system seller. I wish I could see it's result on apsc too, even though the ack of stabilizer on Z50 will be a real consideration.
I think it has a lot of video merit, and the close focus as budget macro + crop 4k video as 36 to 180mm F4.... amazing.
Thanks, Christopher, great review. This is probably my next lens. It was good to see Aberystwyth and my old alma mater featured, too.
Fantastic zoom range and performance 👏👏
I got this lens last month. Very impressive.
Test 24-200 extremely popular lens that many people bought because it got fantastic reviews!
This will have to be my next lens. So truly enjoy all your reviews Christopher. I chose the Z6ii last year after a year of research and partly because of the excellence of it's "kit" f4 and the 24-100 with VR. I have only become more and more impressed with the platform. The AF is now close enough to what I'd ever need.... though still looking for the next FW update to bring its speed and reliability a tad closer to CaSony (3D?!).
Hola Christopher.
Desde hace un tiempo ya, he venido siguiendo tus análisis y comentarios sobre equipos fotográficos y, aunque veo muchas opiniones sobre, por ejemplo, una lente en particular, me he dado cuenta que siempre pongo tus opiniones entre las más importantes. Me gusta tu honestidad de tus críticas ilustradas y debo añadir que, aunque en un principio no puse mucha atención, a medida que veía tus publicaciones en youtube, notaba que había algo especial añadido que me invitaba a confiar en tus opiniones sobre fotografía. Hoy, ya sé la respuesta. Entre palabras, las imágenes de tu familia, los paisajes o incluso algo tan sencillo como la imagen de una lámpara encendida, un camino a la orilla del mar... todo tiene algo en común y es tu buen testimonio de vida cristiana que, a mi parecer, el una forma hermosa de evangelizar a quienes no le conocen a Él.
Te deseo lo mejor y éxitos a futuro.
Dios te bendiga el especial don de la palabra que tienes y la manera especial como la expresas a través de la fotografía.
Saludos desde Panamá.
Really loved the sunset pier photo at the end of the video.
excellent review, sample photos, demonstration and "lecture" :) good sir.
Wow..this lens is crazy..👏
Z5 and this is amazing in terms of price/quality ratio
Great review. I just ordered this lens and cannot wait to use it on my Z6ii. Question: what are the in-camera corrections that you spoke about and where do you go to turn them on?
I hope you could still guide me in my decision making. I do have the nikon 24-70 f4 s lens. This coming June, we'll be having a trip to Vietnam and I'm planning to upgrade the said lens to the 24-120 f4 and bring along the 50 f1.8 s for lowlight situations. Is the 24-120 f4 a substantial upgrade from 24-70 f4 lens?
Thank you. Now I consider to replace the 24-70 f4 with this one. I have used the 28-300 with the adapter most of the time, because 70mm was to less. But this combination is quite heavy. The 24-120mm would be a nice compromise.
Nice! $1500 here in Canada, this is likely my next lens...love that range and constant aperture. :)
A 5x zoom range and a constant aperture are not two things that often go together!
Some lenses just have some kind of balance in them, that's hard to point out when looking at images zoomed out and not pixel peep, it produces wonderful photos with character. And kudos to the photographer as well.
It would be interesting to compare it with the old nikon af-s 24-120mm f4.
All Z lenses are better than the F mount ... check 'ricci talks' he compared most z lenses to f mount equivalent
Can you kindly comment on the lack of VR in this lens? Your experience on longer focal length with No in-lens stabilization for photo nd videos... Was waiting for your review of this particular lens... Thanks alot ❤️🙌
How does the built-in image correction affect sharpness?
Wish we could see that too.
For me Z 24-200 is now the togo lens that is always attached to my camera. great range and just one lens to carry while hiking, traveling. unless I know I won't need over 70 mm.
What about testing the Z 24-200mm and comparing it to this Z 24-120mm?
Will there be a review of the Z 24-200 too?
Got myself 14-24mm and 85mm 1,8 but when travelling I still prefer this lens 24-120mm. Amazing lens can be landscape @ 24mm or portrait @ 120mm .
Please test the 24-200 Nikkor Z lens !
thanks for this nice video.
The 24-120mm f mount on the D750 already had an almost 3-dimensional or three-dimensional reproduction of insects in the right evening light. Although I didn't have a macro lens, I used it to photograph wasps, which my Sigma 105mm couldn't reproduce so vividly. Unfortunately, my financial possibilities are not in a position to try it out.
Thanks for the trip to photographic wonderland.
Always good light and perfect objects,
Greetings from Germany, Raule
Amazing looking lens.
Nice review...I will get this lens. Good range
Thanks for an amazing review! Do you think the differences in sharpness between this lens and the 24-70mm 2.8 would be noticeable in some real life scenarios? If so which ones?
I wish you would review the Nikon Z 24-200 to compare it to the rest of the Nikon Z lenses.
Very nice. I'm mulling trading 24-70 F4 in for this lens.
Hello Christopher, anymore older Nikon F mount lens review like the Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 G ED VR? I heard that this is a great FX lens for the money.
After I've tested a few more Z mount lenses I MIGHT ask Nikon if I can borrow some of their older F mount lenses for testing :-)
@@christopherfrost what’s left, just the 24-200, 70-200, 100-400, 28 and imminent 400/TC? Would love to see you get your hands on the 100 1.4E for F mount.
@@christopherfrost That sounds great Christopher! I just picked up an used D700 and looking for a nice standard zoom to pair it with.
Doesn't look like there's any CA either :o
I would be happy if you would also test sun stars (from the real sun) in your reviews in the future.
Sunstars from artificial light sometimes behave differently compared to the real sun. For example,
I think of the Nikon 14-30mm f4 S in particular: lights on the Christmas tree look fantastic (see here:
"DPReview TV: The great ultra-wide sunstar shootout"). But at the same settings with the real sun,
the sun stars seem a bit jumpy and form less defined rays. You have to google for sample images.
Furthermore, it is important that the atmosphere is free of any haze, dust, clouds, so that you get
sunstars (whether beautiful or less beautiful). Of course, all sunstars can gain a boost towards beauty
when the sun hangs in the dense treetop with lots of leaves or scratches another edge of an object
(mountain, house wall, etc.). However, this type of test is rather less meaningful.
As a landscape photographer I like to position the sun in the sky without an object scratching the sun.
Okay, sometimes the sun hangs between branches etc. ;-)
I would also like to point out something else:
Sunstars also change with the focal length of the lens. For example, the new Nikon 24-70 f4 S
has a nice sun star with defined lines at 24mm and f16 (or is it f22 at the end?) but no defined rays
emerge at 35mm, 50mm and 70mm (anything above 24mm).
Despite the closed aperture, these rays appear to have fanned out.
I hope you understand my request Chris. Therefore, I would be happy if you consider all focal lengths
with a closed aperture in your reviews and use the right sun (free atmosphere) as the light source.
I've seen a lot of reviews here on TH-cam and unfortunately the sunstars are very often neglected!
As a landscape photographer who wants really nice sunstars (bless the old Nikon 20mm f1.8!),
it's difficult to find this info on a number of websites. I think this adds even more value to your reviews :)
I hope I'm not alone with my thoughts and desires and would appreciate a "thumbs up" so Chris can read this.
So thanks again for everything and may God bless you!
I have just ordered one of these to use on my Z8.
I love watching ur lens reviews (all of them) even when I'm not planing purchasing them. I always check out ur reviews when I get one as well. The real question is, how many cameras you have Chris?
I have a number of different cameras for the sole reason that I need them for testing lenses for this channel :-)
This really does look to be a fantastic lens. I'm very tempted to buy this if I go with a Z6/6ii/7
I had the f mount version years ago but when compared to the Z version, its even better especially when you're in a ballroom with yellow downlights. This Z version is sharper even at f16. I found this lens to be great between f8 and f11
Would love you to test the Z 24-200
I have this lens right now and IT IS excellent! Also, Chris you forgot about its sunstars
I do want this as my versatile lens with the two compact prime offerings.
I kind of want to trade my 24-70 f4 in for this - I really like that lens though, so it's not an easy decision.
Best review i have ever seen ❤
I have this lens, it's fantastic!
Thanks for the review - can I ask a potentially dumb question?! What do you mean specifically when you say 'turning on in camera corrections' please?
Hello Robert, the Nikon Z bodies have options in the menu to enable or disable certain software based corrections for CPU lenses (so all the Z mount lenses and most F mount).
These corrections are: Vignette control, Diffraction compensation, Auto distortion control.
Nikon is not the only manufacturer that has these, Sony and Canon have their own versions of the same, just as almost all DSLRs used to have one version or another of the same software corrections.
Hope this answers your question.
Cheers
Which menu for z9 please
amazing lens!!!!!
Hello! Nice concise review. Thank you. Where you did you shoot the tests? Wherever you are looks lovely. I need more castles in my life. Colorado USA has precious few.
excellent! i was curious how fast the auto focus.
This lens has crazy contrast
Would you recommend it for sports photography? Specifically 3x3 basketball? (it's only a 1/2 court game)
Great video!!
How does this lens compares to the Z 24-200 f/4-6.3?
I'm a little disappointed that Nikon did not include VR in this lens, especially given it's a longer lens (than say the 24-70 2.8) and it's a stop slower as well. Their 24-120 F-mount lens does have VR (although in fairness, the DSLRs do not have IBIS but still, I feel at the longer end beyond about 70mm, VR really starts to show its benefits over IBIS).
I think that aside from the distortion (which the F-mount also suffered from) this is a good optical improvement over the older F-mount f/4G version, in terms of sharpness, at both ends of the focal range, so I do have to say I'm impressed. Usually with lenses of this type, with a larger focal range, there tends to be a compromise at at least one of the ends (long or short) in favor of the other, but this is actually surprisingly sharp overall throughout the zoom range.
I also feel that NIkon's new lens coatings really do help it maintain good contrast and minimizes flaring which is a good thing. The nano coat used on some of the higher end F-mount lenses was good, but I think whatever they are using on the new Z mount lenses is a tad bit better (the nano coat wasn't bad, but the Z mount coatings are just better).
Hi. Mr. Frost. Besides the longer focal length and price. What do u think the IQ of 24120 compare to the 2470F4?
For Comparison. This lens weigh around 630g, the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is 663g and 700g for Canon RF 24-105 f/4. All have 77mm filter size.
Sony really needs to make a G2 of this lens now!
Thanks. "Please" review the new 100-400 s. No one has reviewed yet and a new review is really needed.
can you please do a VR comparison of this with 24-200 or 2.8 70-200? Both of those have VR. i'd like to know how much movement there is in this lens compared to the VR lenses at equilvalent focal lengths. Is the lack of VR in this lens significant all the way out at 120mm. also would be cool if you compared it to the RF 24-105 and Sony equilvalent
If you have time for it, testing the Z 24-200 on a Z7 would be awesome!
I just don’t get the weather sealed gasket where the gasket doesn’t even touch the camera body lens mount.
Chris, kindly review the Nikon Z 24-200.
I own a 24 to 120 f mount and use the FTZ adaptor. is it worth changing to the Z lens?
Wouldnt mind a review of this vs the 24 200 as one of these lens will be purchased next
I've just watched another review that shows huge focus breathing on this lens. Is it possible that closer subjects show more breathing (so if you're pulling focus from something a few metres away to tens of metres)?
Nice reviews thanks 😊
Nice review of my next lens.