First shots with the Z 24-120/f4 S

[pesieDP]

The big, local camerashop got two Z 24-120 lenses in stock today. After reading all the reviews so far, I got myself one today, as a replacement for my Z 24-200 lens (I hardly ever use the 140-200 zoom range and the IQ of the Z 24-200 has some limitations which resulted me grabbing the Z 24-70/f4 more often the last couple of months, despite it's limited zoom range). I took some test pictures this afternoon and I find the first results really satisfying (sharp - also in the corners, nice colors, like a Z 24-70/f4 with more zoom reach). Most of them were (by accident) originally taken as JPEG with the Z6, but nonetheless I wanted to share a couple for someone that is interested.

The Z 24-120 is a bit more heavy and bigger than the Z 24-70/f4, it's close to the Z 24-200 in weight and size. The location of the L-Fn button feels a bit odd for my left hand, which seems the result of the SmallRig attached to my Z6.

 

[MIC37]

What do you think about the 24-120 vs 24-70 @24mm and @70mm ? Same, better or ...

 

[rick in vegas]

I have one and tested it against the 24-200 and the 200 was actually sharper. Not at 200 but in many ranges. I ordered 28-70 and I am receiving that today. Will test and see what happens. More than likely 24-120 will be sold.

 

[pesieDP]

What do you think about the 24-120 vs 24-70 @24mm and @70mm ? Same, better or ...

My first impression is that the 24-120 does a beter job at and around 24mm, compared to the 24-70/f4. And that the difference in quality seems to become smaller when you zoom towards 70mm.

I've added two other test shots of the 24-120 below (@101mm, f14, ISO100). One of them has the focus on the first tree, the other has the focus accidentally on the background-trees. The sharpness and details are very good in my opinion.
(I did a little color/contrast tweaking with Lightroom, that needs more work.)

I have always been a fan of the Z 24-70/f4 lens. If the Z 24-120/f4 lens is as good as the 24-70, I would already buy it for the extra zoom-range. But it appears better in some areas which I consider as a bonus.

 

[pesieDP]

I have one and tested it against the 24-200 and the 200 was actually sharper. Not at 200 but in many ranges. I ordered 28-70 and I am receiving that today. Will test and see what happens. More than likely 24-120 will be sold.

Hi Rick in Vegas, I have used the Z 24-200 a lot of times. While it has a lot of zoom reach and most shots look very good with it, I kept on going back to the 24-70/f4 and using that more and more again. Not because of it's compacter size, but somehow I liked the image-quality more of it on a detailed level, and how it reacts in shots with a lot of contrast and/or when the sun shines towards the lens. The sharpness of the 24-200 was not a problem for me, that is only lacking when zooming towards 200mm, or when you use the lens wide open.

 

[rick in vegas]

It is weak at 200. But most can be fixed in post

 

[nikpharm]

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 vs. Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 (Image Sharpness)

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Regards
MK

 

[sirhawkeye64]

What do you think about the 24-120 vs 24-70 @24mm and @70mm ? Same, better or ...

If your curious, Ricci on Youtube has posted a comparison between these two (and the 24-200):

 

[pesieDP]

Today my wife and I made a nice walk in the fields, took the camera with the Z 24-120 with me to make some (handheld) shots with it. The versatility of the zoom range is really great, combined with the image quality.