Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4
Z-mount FX Mirrorless Lens
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Performance Compared Recommendations
Z9 Z8 Z7 II Z6 II Zf Z7 Z6 Z5 Z fc Z50 Z30
Z System Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses Flash
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S (77mm filters, 22.2 oz./630 g, 1.15'/0.35m close focus, 0.39× macro ratio, $1,097). bigger. I got mine at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
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Sample Images top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
More samples throughout this review at Bokeh, Macro, Spherochromatism and Sunstars.
These are just snapshots; my real work is in my Gallery.
These are all shot hand-held as BASIC ★ JPGs; no tripods, NORMAL or FINE JPGs or RAW files were used or needed.
Under the Pier, Pacific Beach, California, 1:56 PM, Thursday, 02 June 2022. Nikon Z9, Z 24-120mm f/4 at 24mm at f/8 hand-held at 1/15 at ISO 400 (LV 7.9), Skylum Aurora HDR. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (9 MB).
Kono's, Pacific Beach, California, 1:58 PM, Thursday, 02 June 2022. Nikon Z9, Z 24-120mm f/4 at 24mm at f/8 at 1/250 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.6), Skylum Aurora HDR, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger or full-resolution © JPG file (11 MB).
Canary Palm, 9:47 AM, Monday, 09 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Z 24-120mm f/4 at 24mm wide-open at f/4 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 10.6), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
As you can see, it's ultra sharp corner-to-corner, even shot wide-open here. It gets even sharper stopped down. The only things not sharp are simply out-of-focus due to the limited depth of field at f/4. Focus is on the central pineapple.
Introduction top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
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This Z 24-120mm is a marvelous general-purpose lens. It's super-sharp, handles well, is reasonably priced and covers a perfect range for just about everything
I prefer it over either of the Z 24-70/2.8 or Z 24-70/4 because it zooms almost twice as far. Personally I prefer the Z 24-200mm VR over all of these because it zooms almost twice as far as this Z 24-120mm, and the Z 24-200mm VR adds image stabilization, absent on these other lenses (all these lenses work with in-camera stabilization). We all have different preferences which is why Nikon makes so many different but similar lenses. All these lenses are equally sharp in actual use; it's not 1978 anymore when lenses could vary. Today, all the Z lenses are ultrasharp. See also Nikon Z Midrange Zooms Compared.
This Z 24-120mm f/4 is best for people who want a reasonably fast, sharp and great-handing all-around lens. Getting to 120mm lets you do many things, like portraiture and landscapes and product photography, far better than the very limiting 70mm ends of older lenses like the Z 24-70/2.8 and Z 24-70/4. 120mm lets you stand almost twice as far away for superior perspective rendering of three dimensional things.
Just turn the front focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
New intro top
Nikon's first 24-120mm lens in Z mount.
Good intro top
Super sharp.
Great handling.
Great focal-length range.
Very close focussing.
Reasonably fast: f/4 at all settings.
No distortion as shot on Z cameras (always auto-corrects).
Programmable L-Fn (focus lock) button.
AF/MF switch.
Semi-programmable front focus ring.
Big mechanical zoom ring.
Programmable rear metal control ring.
Bad intro top
Production dumped to Thailand, not made domestically in Japan.
Plastic filter threads, plastic exterior and soft aluminum (not brass) mount. That's what you get from Nikon today for $1,100.
Missing intro top
Rear programmable ring has no clicks, making it much less useful for setting anything that goes in steps like aperture, focus mode, ISO, White Balance or almost anything else you can control from it.
No Stabilizer switch for in-camera stabilization.
No focus or depth-of-field scales.
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4. bigger.
Compatibility top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This lens works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.
It does not so much as even mount on any other camera.
While it works fine on APS-C cameras, you're paying a premium price for the privilege of covering full frame Using it on an APS-C camera throws away more than half of the image from this lens. Ideally use this lens on full-frame cameras for the results you deserve, or use the Nikon Z 18-140mm DX instead on APS-C because it goes wider and costs and weighs half as much because it doesn't need to cover twice the image area of the full frame. See also Crop Factor.
Specifications top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Name specifications top
Nikon calls this the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S:
NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses.
Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras, only.
S: Subliminally suggests sexual satisfaction. The "S" designation has no other purpose than subliminal seduction; Nikon and electronics and automobile and every kind of marketer have been using letters like "S" and "X" in model numbers since the 1940s for this same reason. Nikon called their first 1946 rangefinder lens mount the "S" mount, then went whole-hog to the "F" SLR mount in 1959, used "S" again when they updated their AI lenses to AI‑S in 1983, created AF‑S SWM lenses in 1998 and here it is again. S also stands for Expen$ive; S means nothing in terms of features or quality but lets Nikon up the price and their profit margins implying there's something extra about an "$" lens.
It also has:
AF-P: Stepper (Pulse or STM) autofocus motor: silent and ultra fast.
ARNEO Coat: Magic anti-reflection coating that's especially good for use in high-speed lenses.
Aspherical: Specially curved glass elements for sharper pictures.
D: Couples distance information to the 3D Matrix Meter.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
G: Gelded; has no aperture ring.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
Nano Crystal Coat (N): Magic anti-reflection coating that has a variable index of refraction that's far more effective against ghosts and internal reflections than traditional multicoating.
∅77: 77mm filter thread.
Optics specifications top
Nikon internal optical construction. Aspherical, ED and Aspherical ED elements.
16 elements in 13 groups.
3 ED extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.
3 Aspherical elements.
1 element which is both ED and Aspherical, making it actually 4 ED and 4 Aspherical elements.
Nikon Super Integrated multiCoating (SIC).
Fluorine front coating to resist dirt and smudges.
Nano Crystal (N) and ARNEO anti-reflection coatings.
Diaphragm specifications top
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4. bigger.
9 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Stops down to f/22.
Filters specifications top
Plastic 77mm filter thread.
Focal Length specifications top
24-120mm.
When used on an APS-C camera, it sees the same angle of view as a 35-180mm lens sees when used on a 35mm or FX full-frame camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View specifications top
84º ～ 20⅓º diagonal on FX.
61º ～ 13⅓º diagonal on DX.
Autofocus specifications top
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infinity Focus Stop specifications top
No.
You have to focus somehow to get precise focus at infinity, just like at every other distance.
Depth of Field Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infrared Focus Index specifications top
No.
Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane) specifications top
1.15 feet (0.35 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio specifications top
1:2.56 (0.39 ×).
Reproduction Ratio Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Image Stabilizer specifications top
NONE, but should work with in-camera stabilization.
Caps specifications top
LC-77B front cap.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap.
Hood specifications top
Included HB-102 Hood for Z 24-120mm f/4. bigger.
Case specifications top
Nikon CL-C2 case. This is a case? bigger.
CL-C2 "case," included.
They're kidding, right? It's just a bag, and not even padded. Geesh
Size specifications top
3.4" ø maximum diameter × 4.7" extension from flange.
84 mm ø maximum diameter × 118 mm extension from flange.
Weight specifications top
22.2 oz. (630 g).
Quality specifications top
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4. bigger.
Made in Thailand.
Announced specifications top
8:23 AM, 28 October 2021, NYC time.
Promised for specifications top
"Later in 2021."
Included specifications top
Box End. bigger.
Lens.
LC-77B front cap.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap.
CL-C2 sack.
USA Warranty card and instructions.
Packaging specifications top
Box. bigger.
Microcorrugated cardboard box.
Microcorrugami internal bracing with lens in bubble wrap.
Nikon's Model Number specifications top
20105.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
May ~ June 2022
$1,097 at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield.
Getting a Legitimate U. S. A. Version top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This section applies in the U. S. A. only.
Your box should include a USA Warranty Card, and the serial number must match the one on the bottom of your lens, otherwise you have no warranty.
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 U. S. A. Warranty Card. bigger.
If you don't have this card, if the card doesn't say "VALID IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES" or the serial number on the card doesn't match the one on your lens exactly, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. All legitimate camera lenses come with printed warranty cards, even if you prefer to register online. (The serial number on the outside of the box doesn't have to match, but if it doesn't it means you bought from a shady dealer who took cameras lenses out of boxes and then resold these used lenses cameras as new.)
Shifty dealers may include color copies of a card from a legitimate U. S. A. product in a gray-market box, hoping you won't check serial numbers and catch their fraud. A card with the wrong serial number means nothing other than that you have no warranty coverage.
Nikon stopped offering 5-year lens warranties in 2021 in an effort to save themselves money at our expense.
Did you notice the clever nod to ancient computer technology? This is printed on tractor-fed paper with tear-off sides and dot-matrix printing of model and serial numbers! If your card lacks these side perforations, beware. Everyone counterfeits laser holograms, but few people have dot-matrix printers floating around to fake these.
Always be sure to check your box, warranty card and serial numbers while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed.
This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the U. S. A., and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!
Nikon U. S. A. enforces its trademarks strictly. It's unlikely, but possible that US customs won't let your camera back in the country if you bought a gray-market version in the U. S. A., carried it overseas, and try to bring it back in. (If you take the chance of buying one overseas, be sure you have a receipt to prove you bought it overseas and be prepared to pay duty on it.)
If a gray market version saves you $300 it may be worth it, but for $200 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support.
Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere, be sure to check everything while you still can return it.
Performance top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Breathing
Bokeh Distortion Ergonomics Falloff Filters
Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes
Lens Corrections Macro Mechanics
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Overall performance top
The Z 24-120mm f/4 does just about everything well. If you think you want a reasonably fast all-around lens, boom!, here you go.
Autofocus performance top
Autofocus is as fast as other modern stepper-motor-focussed lenses. No news here; it focuses quickly with a slight hum like Nikon's other Z lenses.
Manual Focus performance top
Manual focus is excellent. It's entirely electronic; the manual focus ring isn't connected to anything other than a digital encoder.
Grab the electronic focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override anytime the camera is awake.
Better than any other brand, even if you're in AF-C and grab the manual-focus ring, it just swaps to manual focus instantly and stays in manual focus. Other brands will try to fight you for focus if you're in continuous AF, while this lens just does what you tell it to do.
Bravo!
Focus Breathing performance top
Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.
The image from this lens gets a bit smaller as focussed more closely.
Bokeh performance top
Bokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is excellent. Out-of-focus backgrounds never distract.
Here are photos from headshot distance wide-open at f/4. I'm focused on the DAVIS logo. Click any for the © camera-original file:
Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6250 weather station, 11:57 AM, Monday, 09 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Z 24-120mm f/4 at 1/1,250 at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.9). Click any for the camera-original © files.
As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at 120mm at f/4 and get as close as possible.
Distortion performance top
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 AF-S has no visible distortion as shot on Nikon's mirrorless cameras. There may be a little bit of barrel distortion at 24mm on full-frame, but that's it.
If you shoot raw data rather than actual (JPG) images, whatever software you use to create visible images from that raw data may or may not correct the distortion as is done in-camera as JPGs. You're on your own there; I don't bother with raw data.
For more critical scientific use, use these corrections in Photoshop's lens correction filter to JPG images.
These aren't facts or specifications, they are the results of my research that requires hours of photography and calculations on the resulting data.
On Full-Frame and 35mm at 30' (10m) |
Correction factor to use with images made with correction ON in Z9 |
24mm |
+1.20 |
28mm |
+0.60 |
35mm |
+0.40 |
50mm |
+0.20 |
70mm |
+0.40 |
85mm |
+0.40 |
120mm |
+0.20 |
© 2022 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
Ergonomics performance top
|
|
At 24mm. bigger. |
At 120mm. bigger. |
|
|
At 24mm. bigger. |
At 120mm. bigger. |
Ergonomics are great. The front focus and middle zoom rings are rubberized and work flawlessly.
The rear ring is crappy hard plastic, but since it's an extra, I'm not complaining. The rear ring has no clicks, so I find it mostly useless for setting things that go in steps, like apertures, white balance or exposure compensation.
Falloff performance top
Falloff on FX is invisible.
I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background; it will not look this bad in actual photos of real things:
Falloff on full-frame at infinity, Vignette Correction at its default of NORMAL:
© 2022 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Of course if you go out of your way to turn off the default Vignette Correction and then go looking for it, there can be a little wide-open at the ends of the zoom range, and it's still not that bad at all. Again, I've exaggerated it here by shooting flat gray and showing it against flat gray:
Falloff on full-frame at infinity, Vignette Correction OFF.
© 2022 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Filters, use with performance top
At 24mm you can use any thick filter, like a standard rotating polarizer or grad filter, without vignetting on full-frame.
You don't need extra-thin filters unless you want to stack them at 24mm on full-frame. If you do, at 24mm all you can do is stack two thin filters and that's it. Otherwise you'll have to zoom-out slightly to 28mm or so if you want to use a thicker or rotating filter at the same time as another filter without vignetting. Any vignetting goes away as zoomed longer.
This is the way lenses used to be, but unusual for modern lenses which more often allow quite a lot of stacking even at their widest settings.
Flare & Ghosts performance top
There's no significant flare or ghosting.
See examples at Sunstars.
Lateral Color Fringes performance top
There are no lateral color fringes as shot on Nikon cameras as JPG, which by default correct for any that may be there.
If you shoot raw and then use non-manufacturer software to process that data into images then there is the possibility that there might be some, but I doubt it.
There can be a tiny bit spherochromatism, which can cause color fringes on things that aren't in perfect focus at large apertures. Spherochromatism is a completely different aberration in a different dimension than lateral color fringes.
Lens Corrections performance top
Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras correct for any or all of distortion, diffraction and falloff (vignette control). Distortion control cannot be turned off, while diffraction and falloff (vignette control) correction can be changed.
Not in any menu, but Nikons are unique in always correcting for lateral color. Lateral color correction is always active and never appears in any menu.
Macro Performance performance top
The Z 24-120mm gets super-close:
Wide-Open at f/4
It's not that sharp at f/4, but so what: depth of field is always so limited at macro distances that it doesn't matter that much:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance at 120mm, Monday, 09 May 2022. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
At f/8
Stop down a little and it's super-sharp:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance at 120mm, Monday, 09 May 2022. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
Mechanical Quality performance top
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4. bigger.
This lens has glass glass, an aluminum mount and rear trim ring, and the rest is all plastic inside and out.
Finish
Black plastic.
Hood
Plastic bayonet.
Front Bumper
None.
Filter Threads
Plastic.
Hood Bayonet Mount
Plastic.
Front Barrel Exterior
Plastic.
Front Focus Ring
Rubber-covered plastic.
Zoom Ring
Rubber-covered plastic.
Barrel Exterior
Plastic.
Rear Control Ring
Hard plastic.
A/M Slide Switch
Plastic.
Rear Barrel Exterior
Anodized aluminum.
Identity
Printed around front of lens.
"24-120/4 S" engraved and filled with paint on top of rear barrel.
Internals
Seem like all plastic.
Dust Gasket at Mount
Yes.
Mount
Aluminum.
Markings
Paint.
"24-120/4 S" on top of rear barrel engraved and filled with paint.
Serial Number
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4. bigger.
Laser engraved on bottom of barrel.
Date Code
None found.
Noises When Shaken
Mild to moderate clunking.
Made in
Made in Thailand.
Sharpness performance top
Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.
If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 or smaller at ISO 1,600 or above at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.
People worry waaaaay too much about lens sharpness. It's not 1968 anymore when lenses often weren't that sharp and there could be significant differences among them; ever since about 2010 all new lenses are all pretty much equally fantastic.
This lens is super sharp corner-to corner at every aperture at most distances, limited of course by diffraction at the very smallest apertures. It's softer at f/4 at macro distances, so stop down a little and it's back to super-sharp for macro.
 |
 |
Nikon's MTF charts at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm.
Spherochromatism performance top
Spherochromatism, also called secondary spherical chromatic aberration or "color bokeh," is an advanced form of spherical and chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral chromatic aberration. It happens mostly in fast normal and tele lenses when spherical aberration at the ends of the color spectrum are corrected differently than in the middle of the spectrum. Spherochromatism can cause colored fringes on out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. Spherochromatism is common in fast lenses of moderate focal length when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down.
I can't see any spherochromatism; this lens gets softer this close at f/4 which covers any that might be there, and I can't see any at longer distances where it's sharp. Excellent.
Mondaine A132.30348.11SBB at close-focus distance at , May 2022. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
Image Stabilization (VR) performance top
This lens has NO Optical Image Stabilization (OIS, IS or VR (Vibration Reduction)), however it does work with in-camera stabilization if your camera has it.
"Percent Perfectly Sharp Shots" are the percentage of frames with 100% perfect tripod-equivalent sharpness I get when I'm shooting hand-held while free-standing with no support or bracing. Hand tremor is a random occurrence, so at marginal speeds some frames will be perfectly sharp while others will be in various stages of blur — all at the same shutter speed. This rates what percentage of shots are perfectly sharp, not how sharp are all the frames:
At 24mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots on Z9 (v1.11) | 1 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
1/250 |
| Stabilization ON | 0 |
0 |
33 |
83 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| Stabilization OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
33 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
I see a 3 stop real-world improvement.
At 50mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots on Z9 (v1.11) | 1 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
1/250 |
| Stabilization ON | 0 |
67 |
50 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| Stabilization OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
17 |
50 |
100 |
100 |
I see a 4 stop real-world improvement.
At 120mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots on Z9 (v1.11) | 1 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
1/250 |
| Stabilization ON | 0 |
17 |
33 |
67 |
83 |
100 |
100 |
90 |
100 |
| Stabilization OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
33 |
100 |
I see a 5 stop real-world improvement.
Sunstars performance top
With a 9-bladed rounded diaphragm, I get 18-pointed sunstars on brilliant points of light mostly at the smallest apertures.
Ignore the crazy rainbow dots at small apertures; these are sensor artifacts caused by taking a picture directly of the sun and exposing for the dark underside of a huge palm tree, and using that same palm tree to hide the sky to accentuate the stars.
Click any to enlarge:
Click any to enlarge.
Compared top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
See Nikon Z Midrange Zooms Compared.
Recommendations top
Sample Images Intro New Good Bad Missing
Compatibility Specifications USA Version
Performance Compared Recommendations
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This Z 24-120mm f/4 is a fantastic lens. It's ultrasharp, covers a far more useful range than any 24-70mm lens, it's reasonably light, fast with a constant f/4, compact and well priced. Personally I prefer the Z 24-200mm VR for its much longer reach and lower price over wanting a constant f/4. We're all different; see Nikon Z Midrange Zooms Compared for more.
This is a full-frame lens for full-frame cameras. While it works on the smaller APS-C DX cameras, use the Nikon Z 18-140mm DX VR instead because the 18-140mm DX zooms wider and costs and weighs only half as much if you're using a DX camera.
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.
The best protective filter is the 77mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints.
For less money, the multicoated B+W 77mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the basic multicoated Hoya filters or the 77mm Nikon Clear (NC - UV), but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt, and will outlast this lens.
All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 40 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s!
I got my Z 24-120mm f/4 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you get it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and all of my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
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Ken.