Wid(ish) Angle Lens Recommendations

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rshuman

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I am looking for some ideas for wider angle lenses. To date, my shooting has centered around macro (Nikon 105mm macro) and telephoto (Nikon 500 mm PF) applications (Z8 camera). I am interested in expanding my lens line-up so I can take landscape shots. I do not envision a dedication to landscape photography but I want the capability so I can see where things lead.

Given my wishy-washy approach to all of this, I have been thinking a zoom lens along the lines of the Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8 (Z mount) lens would make sense, as opposed to a prime lens. Based on what I have read to date, the optics of this lens are great and it would allow me to explore a little more wrt the types of things I want to photograph. I have run across some nice sounding primes but wonder if I might find those too 'confining'.

Anyway, reactions to my approach to finding a suitable lens and/or my interest in the 24-70 mm lens are welcome. Please, have at it.

Thanks.
 
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The 24-70 f2.8 is an outstanding lens, and a workhorse for landscapes and other uses. I love mine, and use it all the time. It's not really considered "wide angle" but can be used for landscapes nicely. If you're looking to take those truly wide angle with interesting foreground subjects against a picturesque background, you'll want a true wide angle lens, like the 16-35 or 14-24. But, for general landscape use, the 24-70 is a good choice.
 
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rshuman said:
I am looking for some ideas for wider angle lenses. To date, my shooting has centered around macro (Nikon 105mm macro) and telephoto (Nikon 500 mm PF) applications (Z8 camera). I am interested in expanding my lens line-up so I can take landscape shots. I do not envision a dedication to landscape photography but I want the capability so I can see where things lead.

Given my wishy-washy approach to all of this, I have been thinking a zoom lens along the lines of the Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8 (Z mount) lens would make sense, as opposed to a prime lens. Based on what I have read to date, the optics of this lens are great and it would allow me to explore a little more wrt the types of things I want to photograph. I have run across some nice sounding primes but wonder if I might find those too 'confining'.

Anyway, reactions to my approach to finding a suitable lens and/or my interest in the 24-70 mm lens are welcome. Please, have at it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
The 24-70 2.8, either Z or F mount are outstanding. I actually prefer the F mount, less clinical to my eye. The Z f/4 to my eye gives very sharp but flat rendering. Or take the plunge and get the Z 14-24 and never look back.

Personally, for landscape and environmental portraits I prefer primes, specifically the F-mount 1.4s (24, 28 and 35).
 
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rshuman said:
I am looking for some ideas for wider angle lenses. To date, my shooting has centered around macro (Nikon 105mm macro) and telephoto (Nikon 500 mm PF) applications (Z8 camera). I am interested in expanding my lens line-up so I can take landscape shots. I do not envision a dedication to landscape photography but I want the capability so I can see where things lead.

Given my wishy-washy approach to all of this, I have been thinking a zoom lens along the lines of the Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8 (Z mount) lens would make sense, as opposed to a prime lens. Based on what I have read to date, the optics of this lens are great and it would allow me to explore a little more wrt the types of things I want to photograph. I have run across some nice sounding primes but wonder if I might find those too 'confining'.

Anyway, reactions to my approach to finding a suitable lens and/or my interest in the 24-70 mm lens are welcome. Please, have at it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I have the Z 24-120mm f4 and can thoroughly recommend.
 
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Since you already have the FTZ adapter and use it in the field with the 500mm PF, if you want to go very cheap and very light, you could get the old F-mount 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 AF-S G lens.

This is a decent performer and weighs in at under 400g if I rememeber correctly so you can always have it with you in the bag. And i've seen mint ones go for under 300$.

It can get you that true wide angle experience (once you go below 20mm is hard to feel 24 and above as wide).
 
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rshuman said:
I am looking for some ideas for wider angle lenses. To date, my shooting has centered around macro (Nikon 105mm macro) and telephoto (Nikon 500 mm PF) applications (Z8 camera). I am interested in expanding my lens line-up so I can take landscape shots. I do not envision a dedication to landscape photography but I want the capability so I can see where things lead.

Given my wishy-washy approach to all of this, I have been thinking a zoom lens along the lines of the Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8 (Z mount) lens would make sense, as opposed to a prime lens. Based on what I have read to date, the optics of this lens are great and it would allow me to explore a little more wrt the types of things I want to photograph. I have run across some nice sounding primes but wonder if I might find those too 'confining'.

Anyway, reactions to my approach to finding a suitable lens and/or my interest in the 24-70 mm lens are welcome. Please, have at it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
There is also the Z14-30 f4 if you want something wider than the 24-70, but less expensive than the 14-24 f2.8.
 
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Excellent question to bring to the forum…. Prime lenses (for me) compel composition, angles and shooting position. I like doing this.…. It takes more time but it makes me think and evaluate the scene for quality and possibilities. I’m kinda “old school” in that regard. Wide angle lenses are “inclusive” whereas telephotos are “exclusive”. A very celebrated photographer, Galen Rowell, used two lenses for much of his work… 24mm & 85mm. In some regards the technology in photography and the proliferation of equipment by competing brands have made us “kids in a candy store”. Sometimes limiting our choices produces a better product……🤔
 
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If we go with Z mount, the three professional quality standard zooms are 24-70 f2.8, 24-70 f4, 24-120 f4. The latter two are both around a thousand bucks new (100 more for the longer zoom), and the f2.8 is more than twice that new (or exactly twice with current rebate). However, the 24-70 f4 can be found for less than half price on the used market. That is why I went with it (got one for just over 400 in like new condition). The reason is it often comes as a kit lens but a lot of users sold it for one of the other two, so the market is flooded, bringing down the price.

The only reason to get the f2.8 version is if you need f2.8 for indoor events and weddings, or outdoor for night sky. If not, the f4 is just as good and more compact. I know there are people who say the f2.8 version is sharper even when stopped down, but I have seen more than one online review of professional landscape photographers using both and comparing them side by side (on screen or in print) and not being able to tell the difference. Here is one comparing all three lenses:
 
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I suppose it depends on how wide you intend to go. I have both the 24-120 and the 14-30 and would recommend either of them. The 14-30 is definitely a bit more specialized for focal length. I tend to use the 14-30 more than the 24-120 as for "normal" focal length I usually just use my iphone for snapshots vs. anything serious but my wife loves the 24-120 when she travels on her own
 
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rshuman said:
I am looking for some ideas for wider angle lenses. To date, my shooting has centered around macro (Nikon 105mm macro) and telephoto (Nikon 500 mm PF) applications (Z8 camera). I am interested in expanding my lens line-up so I can take landscape shots. I do not envision a dedication to landscape photography but I want the capability so I can see where things lead.

Given my wishy-washy approach to all of this, I have been thinking a zoom lens along the lines of the Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8 (Z mount) lens would make sense, as opposed to a prime lens. Based on what I have read to date, the optics of this lens are great and it would allow me to explore a little more wrt the types of things I want to photograph. I have run across some nice sounding primes but wonder if I might find those too 'confining'.

Anyway, reactions to my approach to finding a suitable lens and/or my interest in the 24-70 mm lens are welcome. Please, have at it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I do if they have caught up with the Z camera's yet but I use a 15-30 2.8 on my D850 with excellent results.
 
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