masa Speaks | Versatile, Neutral, and Indispensable Lens | NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S | Knowledge #405

Stories of creators who love photography and their cameras. A photographer's "beloved gear" often reflects their worldview and values. In this installment, we feature masa, a devoted user of the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S.

Once a staunch advocate of prime lenses, masa was captivated by their compactness and beautiful wide-aperture rendering. However, his perspective shifted dramatically upon encountering Z-mount zoom lenses. Among them, the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S redefined his understanding of "zoom lenses." In this article, we delve into his real-world experiences and the reasons behind his unwavering attachment to this lens.

The NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S is a standard zoom lens compatible with Nikon's Z-mount system. Covering a range from 24mm wide-angle to 120mm mid-telephoto, it maintains a constant maximum aperture of F4 throughout the zoom range. With outstanding optical performance, it delivers high resolution and natural bokeh across all focal lengths.

When using other camera mounts, I was firmly in the prime lens camp. Prime lenses are generally considered superior in terms of compactness and image quality. However, after encountering the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S, I found it to be highly satisfying in both size and rendering performance, leading me to fully embrace the world of Z-mount zoom lenses.

The lens's rendering performance is exceptional. Particularly when stopped down to around F8, the results are stunning, capturing scenes exactly as they appear to the eye. The level of detail is addictive, with everything you want in the frame rendered with incredible precision.

One of the most impressive aspects of this lens is its consistent rendering performance across all focal lengths. Regardless of the subject's distance or the scene, you can always achieve stable and reliable results.

With a constant aperture and no compromises across the zoom range, this lens is incredibly easy to use. Simply turn the zoom ring to adjust the framing, and you're ready to shoot. The confidence it provides allows you to capture any composition without hesitation.

For zoom lenses, the ability to deliver consistently excellent results at any setting is a game-changer. While quirky lenses can be fun, they often come with limitations, such as "settings you should avoid," which can feel restrictive.

This lens has no such quirks and offers a versatile 5x zoom range. It's the perfect choice for fieldwork, ensuring you won't miss a shot. It's so convenient that I can't imagine parting with it.

It's simply too convenient to let go.