The Best Lens for Landscape Photography | NIKKOR Z 14-30mm F4 S Lens Review

[@neilburgin4257]

Some lovely images of Singapore, I am visiting in Feb 25 and hope to acquire the Z14-30 for my Z6iii.

[@lastlightsnet]

Nice! I'm still using 18-35mm (F mount) on my Z 6II, waiting for something like 16-35mm to be released in Z mount. 😅 I guess there will be at least another UWA lens coming, as currently there are only 14-24mm, 14-30mm and 17-28mm? I'm hoping. 😄

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

I have no idea if there’ll be a new UWA coming up. That said, in my humble opinion the 2mm on the wide end (14mm instead of 16mm) is a lot important than the 5mm on the 30 end. As the focal length gets wider, the more difference each mm makes. I’m really happy Nikon went with 14-30 instead of the traditional 16-35. Even better, I hope they come up with a 12-24 F2.8

[@lastlightsnet]

@@ZacharyLaiPhotography The reason I didn't go with 14-30 is 82mm filter thread size, cos I own 4 circular filters (UV, 3, 6 and 10 stop ND) for 77mm and didn't want to replace everything. 😅 I'll continue to wait for a new UWA lens that fits my filters...

[@XingHuiTan]

This lens is definitely going with me for travel. But between the nikkor z 24-120 f4S and the nikkor z 28-400 which would you bring as a second lens?

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

In the past I would definitely say the Z 24-120, but having experienced the versatility of the Z 28-400, I’ll go with that instead for traveling. But not for professional work or indoor photography. The Z 24-120 wins in those situations instead.

[@XingHuiTan]

Thanks for your reply!

[@Piggyeveryday]

Hi Zach, could you please share what type of battery can be used with Accson Seemo 4K they seem to mention Sony NP F series?

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

Yes it’s the NP-F series. I’m using the 3rd party Kingma ones

[@Piggyeveryday]

Kingma NPF750 can use?

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

I recommend the NPF550. It’s smaller and lighter which is important since the whole setup will be mounted on the camera body

[@Piggyeveryday]

@@ZacharyLaiPhotography ok good advice, thanks alot

[@r2325]

I recently purchased this lens (just arrived yesterday) and I've been testing it out in various lighting conditions and along the focal range as various shutter speeds/apertures and so far I'm not super excited about the images I'm getting. They don't have the sharpness I'm looking for - even at the center at a single focus point. Any chance I just didn't get a great lens?

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

No way this lens isn’t sharp at center. Lots of factors come into play when it comes to sharpness. Shutter speed, iso, camera movement, subject movement. Was the camera on a tripod? Any exposure delay or remote timer used? Which AF mode was it in? Which apertures was it in? Which camera body was it in and how much are you zooming in (to check sharpness in post)? If tested properly, then maybe it’s a lemon 😕

[@r2325]

@@ZacharyLaiPhotography I tested on and off tripod on my Z6III, from 1/2 to 1/125 second at ISOs from 100-10000, mostly narrow apertures because I wanted deep depth of field and in both sunny and indoor conditions. All subjects were either very stationary (indoor/no movement) to little if any movement (flowers/trees/the house). AF mode was single point. I'll admit I didn't try exposure delay/remote timer because I thought I would be at least 'close enough' to get the idea. I would be much more likely to believe it was me if I didn't take some of the same shots in the same conditions with my 24-120 F4 and even at 24mm got night and day different results. Regarding zoom, I checked anywhere from 100 to 300 just to compare to my24-120. I might try another one just to confirm I didn't get a dud because I really like the weight/size of it for travel.

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

​@@r2325 Sounds like you did a lot of testing. I also have personal experience where 2 copies of the same lens had different results so it could be a lemon, though if you ask Nikon directly and they can't find a defect they'll usually say it's within tolerance. Try an exchange if you can.

[@dannyli9424]

I sold my 14-30mm and went back t primes and never look back.

[@ZacharyLaiPhotography]

I prefer zooms for landscape work. For events and weddings I use 20/35/50/85/135 primes 😁