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Z5 and one Nikkor Z Prime- Z 26/2.8, Z 40/2, or Z 50/1.8S?

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Plankowner110

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Booking a Holland America cruise for October 2025 with primary stops in Athens (Acropolis), Egypt (Giza pyramids), Malta, and Ephesus. I would like to take my Z5 with one Nikkor Z prime lens, and would like advice from those of you that have visited those places. (I don't want to buy any bigger zoom lens.)

Which of my lenses would be best for simple vacation photos at those sites?

Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 pancake

Nikkor Z 40mm f2

Nikkor Z 50mm f1.8 S

Thanks,

--
Bill
Nikon since 1969
 
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I see you already have all three lenses. So, is it a decision about angle of view of the scenes you will encounter on the trip?
 
jthomas39 said:
I see you already have all three lenses. So, is it a decision about angle of view of the scenes you will encounter on the trip?
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Yes, I am asking which focal length and field of view would generally be best between the three lenses (26, 40, or 50mm) for vacation shots at the Acropolis and pyramids, etc. One correction to the cruise itinerary: There is a stop in Rhodes, not Malta.

--
Bill
Nikon since 1969
 
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Out of those 3, I would choose the 50 1.8 s. Optically it's not even close, it blows the other two away. As far as versatility, I still think it wins because you've got 1 to 2 stops of light advantage, and a few steps back will definitely get you the coverage of the 40, and maybe even the 26. The biggest drawback as you know is the 50's size. I actually just bought the new Viltrox 50 f2 air, and I'm testing it against the 50 1.8s. So far it looks good, and it's roughly the size of the 40. I'll probably cave in most cases and do the 50 1.8 if that's the range I'm after, but I get the reluctance to heft that around when you have the other two options. In your case, I'd go with image quality and the 50 1.8.
 
I know you do not wish to buy any zoom lenses, however, having been to Italy, Greece, Egypt and Turkey in that region, I would very strongly suggest that you look into getting the Nikon 24-120 S f/4 lens. This guy is ridiculously good and is quite like taking several excellent prime lenses in one without being ungainly.

If you are totally against doing that and wish to take just one lens of the three you mentioned, I would take the 50 1.8s; perhaps the biggest bang for the buck of any Nikon primes with no comparison to the other two choices you have.
 
It has been a very long time for me, but the film camera I had used a 50mm and I came back with wonderful memories. Given your choices I would again take the Z50/1.8 over the others. The 40/2 would be a strong second.

I do not own the 40 but really like the 50. If there is a scene that requires wide, I would take a few pics and stitch them. The things to like about the 40 is the lighter weight.

I am not much of a wide angle photographer though (it is my problem not the lens). For memory pictures I don't care for how the background gets very small in the frame. That same thing works well in the street photos and might work well for the Acropolis of Athens and other landmarks through. But if I were to take a 26mm it would have to be a second lens.
 
Which one do you like using the most? Take that one.

If you were me you'd take the 40mm. IMO it's the most versatile of the three. Image quality is good enough at f/2 and very good indeed once you stop down. And it's unobtrusive, a plus when traveling.

Train station in Luxor, April 1984. Canon 50mm lens, Kodachrome 64.
Train station in Luxor, April 1984. Canon 50mm lens, Kodachrome 64.

-Dave-
 
F786 said:
I know you do not wish to buy any zoom lenses, however, having been to Italy, Greece, Egypt and Turkey in that region, I would very strongly suggest that you look into getting the Nikon 24-120 S f/4 lens. This guy is ridiculously good and is quite like taking several excellent prime lenses in one without being ungainly.

If you are totally against doing that and wish to take just one lens of the three you mentioned, I would take the 50 1.8s; perhaps the biggest bang for the buck of any Nikon primes with no comparison to the other two choices you have.
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I agree strongly with this. The 24-120S is a fantastic lens and zoom lenses are so valuable for travel where you might not be able to "zoom with your feet" very easily.

To keep my kit lighter and longer for international trips, I most often take the 24-200 mm lens instead. It's still very good and I like the extra reach for travel. Plus it's just a hair lighter which makes it easier to carry around for a long day of touring.

Among the primes, I'd take the 50 f/1.8 if it were my only lens because it's so sharp and I like to get a couple of good prints out of my travel photos.

Paired with a zoom, I take the 40 f/2 to save weight. If I didn't already own the 40, I'd consider the 26 instead, because it's useful to be a little wider in the places that most need fast lenses, like catacombs and wine cellars.
 
Firstly, I personally cannot imagine considering going on such a trip with only one prime lens. I could manage with and would insist on one zoom like 24-120 or similar but would likely take my 28-400. And if forced to have one of the three primes you list it would have to be the 26mm. I can always crop a photo, but much harder to increase the field of view with stitching several images. And also, if I were going with one lens especially a prime, I would be taking a compact camera of some form, most likely a fixed lens. But you are the one that needs to be happy about what you take.
 
A lot of personal preference comes into play here. If you have a "favorite" of the three candidates, take that one.

For me, I'd take the 40mm f/2.

And I'd be tempted to cheat and put the 26mm in your jacket pocket if it will fit. I think the 50 is a little on the long side, (both in focal length and in physical length) for some of the places you'll visit. But I tend to favor wide angle lenses.

Good luck, and good travels.
 
If you don't want to get a zoom, I'd suggest taking both the Z 50 and Z26. The 50 is just not wide for many scenic or interior shots. I think it would be frustrating to hobble yourself with just one focal length. I was in Oaxaca, Mexico in the fall and the majority of my photos of street scenes were taken with a Z 28.
 
50 1.8S all day long
 
Ultimately this is something only you can decide. How do you "see"? Which of these focal lengths is your favorite? And do you need a fast f/1.8 aperture or not? And do you favor a smaller, more compact lens?

Many people are recommending bringing a zoom instead. I certainly would. But it depends on your style as a photographer and what you plan to shoot.

A fixed focal length can help focus your photography and force you to think much more creatively.

Henri-Cartier Bresson mostly used a 50mm lens. And look what he came up with.

There are subjects anywhere. You will not be constrained by a single focal length as long as you are willing to be flexible in what you take pictures of. Many situations allow you to "zoom with your feet" anyway. On the other hand, if you are not willing to miss any shots, bring a zoom.
 
Plankowner110 said:
Booking a Holland America cruise for October 2025 with primary stops in Athens (Acropolis), Egypt (Giza pyramids), Malta, and Ephesus. I would like to take my Z5 with one Nikkor Z prime lens, and would like advice from those of you that have visited those places. (I don't want to buy any bigger zoom lens.)

Which of my lenses would be best for simple vacation photos at those sites?

Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 pancake

Nikkor Z 40mm f2

Nikkor Z 50mm f1.8 S
Click to expand...
I do have the 26mm and 50mm myself and if I could only choose between them I would probably take the 26mm. I think I am more a wide angle guy. But as other have pointed out the 26mm is small so I wonder why you want to restrict yourself for one lens only.

But the point I would like to add is: If you have a good quality main camera on your smartphone which often is in the 24mm-28mm range and if it allows to shoot RAW images it might be an option to take the 50mm on your camera. And then you can cover the wide shots with your phone.
 
Plankowner110 said:
Booking a Holland America cruise for October 2025 with primary stops in Athens (Acropolis), Egypt (Giza pyramids), Malta, and Ephesus. I would like to take my Z5 with one Nikkor Z prime lens, and would like advice from those of you that have visited those places. (I don't want to buy any bigger zoom lens.)

Which of my lenses would be best for simple vacation photos at those sites?

Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 pancake

Nikkor Z 40mm f2

Nikkor Z 50mm f1.8 S

Thanks,
Click to expand...
if you only pick one, honestly I'd go for the 40 f/2.

But here's another thought: Viltrox 20 2.8 and Viltrox 40 2.5 for about $350 together (less than the 26mm itself) and you get a wider view on the 20mm and still have a standard view with the 40mm and both are very compact, decent IQ, light and cheap, like $170 each).

while I don't shoot with my Viltrox 20mm that much, I am constantly impressed by how good the lens is given it's price point (I dont have their 40mm but I do have the Z 40 f/2 and it's decent for the price). But I'd say a 20mm and 40mm should be a good combo. 26mm may not be wide enough...)

--
PLEASE NOTE: I usually unsubscribe from forums and comments after a period of time, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. Feel free to PM me if you have a questions or need clarification about a comment I made.
 
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This all is highly individual. I've traveled previously with a single prime and enjoyed the simplicity of the approach quite a bit. For me I would take the 28 mm. But really, if you are going down this road you have to pick what suits how you like to shoot. The discipline of a single focal length can be liberating.
 
I own all these three lenses, I'd say just pick up z 50 1.8s. Nikon z 26 2.8 is overpriced and not better than z 28 f2.8. z 40 f2 is not sharp, it's bokeh is busy and you can buy the cheaper viltrox 50 air lens, viltrox is also very portable, has metal lens mount and much sharper.
 
I have the lenses on your list plus Z's forgotten muffin, the Z 50mm f2.8 MC, which I bought for a one-off macro job but have kept and consider way underrated as an excellent smaller/lighter 50mm option. Not caring about bokeh/blurry backgrounds for travel (or much else), I personally don't see the optical superiority of the 50mm f1.8 "S" lens as being "all that" against the 40mm f2 or the 50mm f2.8 if also considering compactness and weight. I use the 40 all the time and love the images served up by this little Z-'cron.

I'd go with the 40 first or one of the 50s second. But regardless, I'd follow the counsel upthread and tuck in the 26mm as well. It's so small and light it expands your options with no added weight/bulk penalty.

Just don't change lenses outdoors with the sand and dust flying around.
 
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Plankowner110 said:
Booking a Holland America cruise for October 2025 with primary stops in Athens (Acropolis), Egypt (Giza pyramids), Malta, and Ephesus. I would like to take my Z5 with one Nikkor Z prime lens, and would like advice from those of you that have visited those places. (I don't want to buy any bigger zoom lens.)

Which of my lenses would be best for simple vacation photos at those sites?

Nikkor Z 26mm f2.8 pancake

Nikkor Z 40mm f2

Nikkor Z 50mm f1.8 S

Thanks,
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I just returned from a Holland America 11-Day Mexican Rivera (Baja Peninsula) aboard the Zaandam.

When off the ship, I'd base lens needs on your actual booked excursions. At the very least I'd want a versatile walkabout zoom for off-the-ship excursions. Onboard you'll want a general use fast prime.

I took my Z6iii and the 100-400 f/4 S zoom because I went on a whale watching excursion where 400 was barely long enough. You may not need those focal lengths.

My most used lenses were the 24-120 f/4 S, and both the 26 f/2.8 and the 40 f/2 (they're small enough to bring both).

Have fun, a Mediterranean cruise is on our bucket list.
 
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UsherFellig said:
I have the lenses on your list plus Z's forgotten muffin, the Z 50mm f2.8 MC, which I bought for a one-off macro job but have kept and consider way underrated as an excellent smaller/lighter 50mm option. Not caring about bokeh/blurry backgrounds for travel (or much else), I personally don't see the optical superiority of the 50mm f1.8 "S" lens as being "all that" against the 40mm f2 or the 50mm f2.8 if also considering compactness and weight. I use the 40 all the time and love the images served up by this little Z-'cron.

I'd go with the 40 first or one of the 50s second. But regardless, I'd follow the counsel upthread and tuck in the 26mm as well. It's so small and light it expands your options with no added weight/bulk penalty.

Just don't change lenses outdoors with the sand and dust flying around.
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I've read warnings against changing lenses in the Egyptian pyramids area because of the dust and sand, plus I will have a protective NC clear filter on any lens I use there.

I am wondering if the best angle of view would come from my Nikkor Z 26mm for shooting the Sphinx from the viewing platform as well as the massive pyramids? That is my biggest question for photographers that have actually been there and know the site firsthand.
 
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