Embracing the Versatility of the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 for Travel and Landscape Photography

Why I’m Switching from Primes to a Zoom Lens

For the past few years, I’ve been using exclusively 35mm and 75mm prime lenses. This approach has helped me hone my composition skills, encouraged me to be more intentional with each shot, and required me to physically move closer or further from a subject rather than relying on a zoom. While I’ve enjoyed the discipline and simplicity of using primes, there have been times—especially when travelling or shooting landscapes—where I’ve felt limited by this setup. That’s why I’m excited to start using the Nikon 24-120mm f/4, a versatile lens that will now be my main choice for travel and landscape photography.

93mm

It’s nice having the ability to crop the shot to include only what you want to, with less megapixel to play with on the Zf having a flexible zoom lens makes a lot more sense.

120mm

Picking out details

The Versatility of the Nikon 24-120mm f/4

The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 offers an impressive zoom range, from 24mm wide-angle to 120mm telephoto. This flexibility is particularly useful for landscape photography; at 24mm, I can capture expansive, immersive scenes, while at 120mm, I can isolate distant details or create tighter compositions without losing quality by cropping. For travel, the 24-120mm range means I can carry just one lens and be ready for almost any scenario I encounter, from sweeping vistas to close-up shots of local textures and details.

The two images above were shot towards the end of the lenses zoom range, continue reading to see how it performs at its widest field of view!

Shot at 34mm, still gravitate to this focal length even with a zoom, it just feels natural!

Adapting Quickly to Changing Scenes

One of the key advantages of this lens over my primes is its adaptability. In travel photography, moments often change quickly, and having a zoom lens means I can move effortlessly between wide-angle and telephoto shots without switching lenses or missing a beat. The constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range also provides consistent exposure control, which is invaluable in the variable lighting conditions I often encounter outdoors. It allows me to shoot confidently, knowing I won’t need to adjust settings dramatically as I zoom in or out.

Build Quality and Reliability for Outdoor Photography

The lens’s robust build quality makes it well-suited for outdoor use. With weather sealing and solid construction, I feel confident using it in diverse conditions, which is especially important for landscape photography here in the UK, where weather can shift unexpectedly. Although it’s heavier than my usual primes, the versatility and range it offers more than compensate for the added weight.

Shot at 24mm - I haven’t had a lens this wide for years and i’ve really missed taking shots like this, definitely something i’ll be doing more of with this lens. 

Final Thoughts on the Nikon 24-120mm f/4

Overall, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is shaping up to be an invaluable addition to my setup and I so glad it was the first lens I picked for the Nikon Zf. It provides the flexibility I’ve been missing with prime lenses, while still delivering the sharpness and image quality I need for my work. For any photographer looking for a versatile, reliable lens that can handle the demands of travel and landscape photography, the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is definitely worth considering.

Having said that, it probably wouldn’t hurt to add another lens to the collection…