SHOULD you buy the Nikon 24-120 F4 (Z)? An in depth Review

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The 24-120 f4 zoom Nikon Lens is absurd. Fantastic with 1 major flaw.
Fantastic build quality
Very good balance
Autofocus is so good that I noticed that got just one out of focus
Amazing range 24 to 120 (there is so much creative perspective within 24mm and 120mm)
F4 is great in most cases except really darkness
Now the real deal
Macro! It can do very good close-up, 120mm
No flare shooting at the sun
No Chromatic Aberration … it’s perfect..
Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration... almost negligible at 24mm
Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration Nothing noticeable at 120
SHARPNESS: one of the sharpest lenses ever across the range. F5.6 is its best.
Bokeh: Soft bokeh.. really smooth bokeh especially 70mm onwards
Now the flaw. This vignettes till f16

[@wilteduk007]

My 24-70 f2.8 was almost a permanent fixture on my Z8, until I got the 24-120 f4. It has now practically been welded onto my Z8 as a great all round lens.

[@justinthomas3829]

I have this outstanding lens and it’s my workhorse. It stays on my Z8 most of the time because it handles and performs so well. Plus It’s the range I do 90% of my work in. I also have the 24-70/2.8 which is fabulous but I only use it occasionally now. And I also have the 24-200 which I use exclusively for holidays and travel. All have their use but if I had to chose only one it would be the 24-120/4

[@FramesTM]

Love all of them except the 24 to 200… could never digest its low aperture haha… my fault

[@starbase218]

The vignetting isn't worse, I think, than the F-mount 24-120. And I think it would have been bigger and heavier if they wanted to counteract it. Yes it would be better if there was no vignetting, but I don't think it's worth it. Because with one push of a button, it's corrected in post-processing. Besides, vignetting can help to draw you into the image. Plena is designed as a no-compromise lens. That's why it's so big and heavy. This is designed for travel. That's why it isn't.

[@USGrant21st]

Vignetting isn't too bad, but it's not not always you can fix it. One thing you can see is uneven sky color, the center being whiter due to saturation and corner bluer due to vignetting. The other thing you can see is more noise/blur in the corners when shooting at high ISO.

[@glennn.3464]

I’d rather have vignetting as a lens "flaw" than any other type. It’s the easiest to correct either in camera as a jpeg or in post manually or with a lens profile. So if a tradeoff is made with a lens I’d rather have more vignetting than a lens having any other type of weakness relating to sharpness, lateral or longitudinal chromatic aberrations, astigmatism, coma, etc. As an all-around, relatively inexpensive zoom lens it does a great job with not much to complain about. Thanks for your review and thoughts on this lens. I think most people agree it’s a pretty fantastic lens especially at its price. When it’’s on sale or at a bundled price with a camera it’s a great value.

[@MehdiMahjoubi]

Definitely YES ! i went to Egypt desert especially for 1 photo, i took the Z6 II and the 24-120. I went to that GPS location i found on google earth accessible only using a Pajero like 4x4. I took only one photo, pressed the shutter only once, and this photo is now in my living room for my guests eyes only, 1 print, 1 edition and 1 version. and it was taken with the 24-120 !

[@FramesTM]

Long time Mehdi!

[@ggtelevision]

Had this lens for a few days now shooting wide open and to f18. Not really noticed much vignetting so far but alas been using lens correction in Lightroom. I do note the occurrence now going over my initial files and watching your video. Upon further checking, my 24-70 f2.8 f-mount lens files on the Zf also vignetting at 24mm and 38mm at f2.8. Another flaw that I find is if shooting near the water, and there is water on rocks, shooting at 120mm and f4 highlights on the water are small donuts in shape that mimic what the ancient reflex Nikon 500 would do. So out of focus areas at 120 may not be satisfying. I've heard the long end may suffer, so unless I need to shoot at 120 will pull it back a bit. Other than the donuts, I am liking it. I was using my 24-70 f2.8 f-mount lens on the Zf prior and testing all my manual lenses but felt on the Zf, the 24-120 would be the one to stay on this body. Will help keep the sensor clean too. Slightly shorter than the 24-70 and adapter so fits my bag better and is .5 lb lighter. If I need the reach, I move to my D500 70-200 and 300 f2.8. I bought the Zf to test the mirrorless waters and see if I could truly build a small kit using my ais 24 and 50, 35 2D and ai 135 f3.5 but the 24-70 was head and shoulders above them and the 24-120 married to the Zf just fit my needs to a T for a kit to take on mountain trips/travel when I would not be shooting sports and wildlife or hauling all my gear.

[@johnforbes4795]

Hi Frames. Honestly I love all six of my Nikon Z lenses (24-120mm f4; 105mm f2.8 Macro; 24-200 f4-6.3; 70-200mm f2.8; 100-400mm f4.5-5.6; and 180-600mm f5.6-6.3). But, the Nikon 24-120mm f4 S is the lens most often on my Z8 or Z9. I love the sharpness, the autofocus, the reasonably light weight for hiking and its flexibility. And, for a Nikon Z "S" lens it is pretty reasonably priced. As for the question of vignetting, I certainly haven't noticed it on my copy, but then I process everything through Adobe Lightroom with lens correction, so maybe that's why I don't notice any.

[@csc-photo]

An absolute favorite of mine 👏🏻

[@roybixby6135]

Unlike the old G/AFS version it's a great travel lens. Especially compared to the 24-200 Z lens ...🦘

[@carlosandreviana9448]

It is not, unless you pixel peep. The advantages for travel of the 24-200 make it the number one choice

[@VikasBhagwagar]

I got used but brand new condition VR version of F mount 24-120 F/4 lens. using with Z9. no issues. best for general purpose.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Thank you for the review, great. I have this lens, I've used it extensively on my Z6ii and Z8 and find the IBIS stabilization quite adequate. On the vignetting, if you want JPEGS out of camera, turn on the in camera setting to medium or more, this deals with it. Raw files of course once put through Nikon NX or ACR deal with it as a preset or in a couple of clicks. This is the best all round standard lens I've used in over 50 years of shooting. The 24-70 f2.8S is a bit sharper in the corners but has less range and is big. If you need that extra stop get it.

[@SparxNet]

Good content as usual. I wonder if it would be possible to either re-frame / recompose or move the mic boom out of the way? For me it's a touch distracting as it's cutting across almost a third of the frame. I got this lens as a kit with the Z F and it's been great value for money. The versatility that it gives a shooter makes it a wonderful travel lens as well. It's a compromise, obviously but a decently acceptable compromise overall.

[@OriginalWatchcow]

I have had one of these for about a year as a daily driver lens on a Z5. I would have to dig through settings to see if lens distortion and vignette correction are enabled, but i have not noticed vignette once. It is fast to focus if you have good light. I use it regularly for indoor events like dinners, baptisms, and receptions where lighting is poor and often with heavy color filters. The lens is a champ, the low light focus capability of the camera is less amazing. I am not one to obsess over charts and pixel peeping, but i appreciate things that just work well enough that you to don't even feel the need to do that.

[@FramesTM]

Will soon do a comparison with the 24 to 70 f4

[@satadruroy2008]

This one Lens remains with my camera almost always. A very good allround Lens. And when I get a Z8, I will be getting this Lens (Z mount version) for sure.

[@gregcorker2193]

Great review. It is a fantastic lens, but this is the first review where I recall anyone bringing up the degree of vignetting. Good to know.

[@waynerm002]

I don’t have any vignetting issues with mine but, I turn on the option to manage it and I notice you are also using Lightroom not NX Studio. I’m guessing LR donate so a great job in managing it. Recently started using DxO Photo Lab to edit the photos I’ve been taking with the Zeiss Otus 1.4/55 lens, I’ll have to check some of my older photos shot on the 24-120 to see how it manages those. Still I wouldn’t say this is a major flaw as it’s something that’s manageable. If Nikon did like Canon and make a bright aperture version, it would be like lugging around a 2nd 70-200 lens. At that point, they could make it a 20-120 f2, internal focusing and zooming and add power zoom.

[@user-oq1we2sh8r]

I LOVE MY 24-120 f4. Majority of my images using this lens both in F & Z mount

[@santanuray7826]

Good review, nice presentation overall .... subscribed, liked ..... at 3.00 ...should it be "when you zoom in ...." & at 18.05 .... if this review was shot during March, '23, what took you so long to upload it on KZbin? Anyways, keep up the good work.

[@TheMainakg]

Surprise surprise! The Tamron 35 mm f1.4 F mount lens SP edition is also a great favourite of mine! It is a vastly underestimated lens, along with another sleeper, the Tamron 17-35 mm f2.8-4... F mount version .. that does excellent close focus, is fast, gives f2.8 upto 20mm and has excellent sharpness.

[@photo-markus]

It’s a shame you have only 5000 followers, you are so good! Regarding f/4, …I have the 24-70 f/2.8 and use it on Z8 and Z9. I would still consider a 24-120 on my infrared transformed Z6. I would like to know if 24-120 is hotspot free on infrared/full spectrum. After watching your video, I decided to go with the 24-70 f/4 for my Z6, since I hate that vignette.

[@FramesTM]

Thank you so much! I am going to do an in depth review to the 24 to 70 2.8 soon

[@sibasishmohanty7871]

Very nice Sir in my mind to have only one z lens on either z6ii or Zf or z6iii. That vineating at edge maybe for professionals but for hobbyists should be no problem.

[@g00nther]

Thanks for this. I'm hoping this comes with the Z6III. Do you have the 24-70 F4? I would love to know how the vingnetting and sharpness compares.

[@FramesTM]

The next video is a comparison with the 24 to 70 f4

[@leonardotonin6201]

Thanks for your complete review. I didn't know that there are low longitudinal aberration, well i think it's one sign off quality, doesnt it? Even if there's vinhet. It's way more difficult talking about compromises when we're engaged in one brand and photography, because there are contradictions. This is mental emotional process. Nice lens for studio. Enjoy your weekend!

[@chrisguli2865]

Early in the video I was trying to imagine what that major flaw could be with all the positives going for it. I have the 24-70 f/4 S and sometimes I wish for the longer reach of the 24-120 in this video. Besides in post, there is the auto-vignette correction setting in the menus too. Don't know how well that works compared to post correction. I guess if you use this lens on the Z50 or Zfc then that flaw become moot, except now it is a 36-180 equivalent in field of view. Photography seems to be all about compromises - IQ, CA, distortion, light transmission, weight and and ultimately cost. You can't have everything, but if somehow you do it will cost you bigly. BTW does the 24-70 f/4 suffer from the same vignetting too?

[@FramesTM]

Will do a comparison soon

[@solidstream13]

I don’t have that vignetting on my 24-120. Do you have a thick ringed UV filter or something. Or your hood not snapped in. I don’t understand why you have this issue.

[@FramesTM]

Your lens will have it too. Test it shooting a white wall in RAW and increase dehaze or contrast in Lightroom

[@latasharma2098]

Excellent

[@BLITZgescheit]

Well, major flaw seems a bit over the top. I looked into photographylife‘s review and judging by their standards only f4 at 24mm is critical. Most focal lengths / apertures combinations are below 1 stop and only a few are between 1-1.5 stops. The combination 24mm at f4 delivers over 1.5 stops of vignetting.

[@FramesTM]

Either my copy is bad or there is too much love for this lens out there

[@BLITZgescheit]

@@FramesTM Thom Hogan also says that vignetting is a non issue. I love the lens and if you can live with f4 it’s a great travel zoom.

[@USGrant21st]

Couple stops of vignetting is not the end of the world, it's pretty common nowadays, some lenses are a lot worse.

[@abdulsameer8274]

Please do video on 24-70 f4 vs 28-75 f2.8 vs 24-120 f4. If u do This video it will be full to many people's..

[@FramesTM]

Agree!

[@rameshjn]

In my experience, the problem with this lens is that it performs worst under low light situations. Otherwise, it is a great lens.

[@jbtubman]

Have you tried setting up the lens's programmable ring as an aperture ring when shooting with the Zf?

[@FramesTM]

I could do that. But I change aperture with the front dial…

[@jbtubman]

@@FramesTM In the olden days, we set the aperture with a dial on the lens, which goes with the Zf retro approach. But those dials had click stops, which programmable rings don't. Thanks for the response and the video itself.

[@israelmacario3853]

I have the lens and I haven't noticed the vignette like you have in your photos.

[@FramesTM]

I am pleasantly surprised

[@johndickinson8848]

The title should note it is a Z lens since Nikon has an AF-S F mount as well.

[@FramesTM]

Done!

[@highdynamicphotographyfilm2235]

For general purposes, this is the best lens you can have.

[@carlosandreviana9448]

Because of the extra focal length, the 24-200 is my choice for exterior, specially for travel. Pixel peepers hate reading this

[@FramesTM]

What do you think of the new super zoom

[@carlosandreviana9448]

@@FramesTMthe reviews reveal it as good or better. I will probably trade mine for this new one

[@FramesTM]

@carlosandreviana9448 😃

[@carlosandreviana9448]

@@FramesTMfeel free to review it and compare with the 24-200 ;)

[@subhabratavideography]

Z8 একটু ওভার এক্সপোজ করেছে। হাফ স্টপ কম হলে ভালো হতো। A7iv এক্সপোজার ঠিক আছে। আমার 4k UHD টিভিতে দেখছি।

[@FramesTM]

❤️

[@gordonbrown5901]

The diagonal difference between 105mm and 120mm AOV is only 2.84".

[@FramesTM]

And it keeps decreasing every 15mm from there on. But doesn’t mean it has no practical value

[@ArunChand10888]

I think you made a mistake about the date. It’s March 2024 I believe. Enjoyed your video. Also can you please suggest one travel lens in Z system?

[@FramesTM]

28 to 75 2.8

[@8Rames]

Best lens so far that flaw is just can adjust in lightroom 😊

[@FramesTM]

Agree

[@8Rames]

@@FramesTM the only thing I’m waiting for z6 iii

[@FramesTM]

Haha just like everyone else

[@photographydiscourse1185]

For day time events this lens is second to none - smokes the Sony and Canon analogues. -PD

[@FramesTM]

I see… That’s interesting

[@Mr09260]

Its my MAIN lens on my Z8 .. alongside the 20 f1.8 , 70-200 and 180 - 600 .. Better than my ex 24-70 f2.8 S lens which was replaced by the 24-120 f4 .. a real Leatherman of a lens >> IT DELIVERS

[@TonyFabris-lb2mg]

I think you should refer to Christopher Frost for a more Accurate test and analysis of this lens than come back to us and tell us what you think…! 🤔

[@FramesTM]

I don’t usually refer to frost’s before doing this because that biases. But I am guessing his findings won’t be very different

[@readitoutloud]

Same vignetting issue with 24-70 f2.8 S. Seems to be an issue with most first gen wide lenses. They tried to make the lenses as small as possible. Nikon proprietary editing software corrects this issue but Lightroom vignette correction is a joke, and adobe wont do anything about it till we raise the issue.

[@ranjankmsphotography]

Aaj discover korlam je apni Mainak Bag 😅

[@FramesTM]

🤣🤣🤣

[@MrPressPhotographer4]

No lens is perfect.

[@FramesTM]

This one is almost there

[@MrPressPhotographer4]

@@FramesTM I have this lens and it is a great lens with my Z9.