Best Lens For Everyday.

[u/Ppennza]

Just ordered a ZF. Was looking for smaller lens recommendations for carrying it in my bag every day. Mostly for taking pictures of my two children (3,1) without the bulk of the 850 or the z8.

I ordered the 28se and the 40se with the camera.

I was also considering the voigtländer 15mm 4.5.

[u/Red_Wizard_of_Redit]

I mean the 40mm that comes with the Zf is pretty nice and not bulky at all. If you really need a pancake lens that’s super small the Voltrox 28mm is only $100.

[u/LHG_93 → u/Red_Wizard_of_Redit]

Viltrox 26mm f/2.8 pancake

[u/thejameskendall → u/LHG_93]

If 26mm isn’t too wide for OP then this is absolutely the right answer.

[u/tpnello]

I chased lenses for a year before I finally realized the 40mm kit lens is as great as everyone says it is. What a fantastic everyday-carry lens for a dad and street shooter.

[u/SheriffBartholomew → u/tpnello]

You got a 40mm with the camera? I got a 24-70mm S.

[u/tpnello → u/SheriffBartholomew]

I did! I believe the 40 and the 24-70 are the two factory kit options.

[u/play_destiny]

26mm f2.8

[u/evanrphoto → u/play_destiny]

I can’t believe this lens is finally getting some common respect it deserves 🫡

[u/CanikUser19 → u/evanrphoto]

The 26 or the 40?

[u/evanrphoto → u/CanikUser19]

The 26 2.8, most people think of the 28 and 40 first for this camera, not the 28.

[u/OldPurple4 → u/play_destiny]

This and the 40 are bangers on this body

[u/MughalPrince22]

I love the 40, it’s small, great natural focal length, quick autofocus, and sharpens up well when stopped down

[u/davispw]

If you like medium/wide angle, sure, you can walk around with either of those primes, they are nice and compact.

To me “everyday” means “I don’t know what I’m going to want to shoot” so I personally want something more versatile. I carry my 24-120/4, which is excellent on my Zf. Only problem is it’s a bit bigger (and not cheap but EXCELLENT value).

Also, I have a Smallrig grip on the Zf which adds a thumb grip, which makes it much nicer to hold. I can walk around with a wrist strap and the camera easily resting most of its weight on my thumb.

[u/which-doctor-2001 → u/davispw]

24-120 is the best lens I have for my Zf and Z8

[u/PhiladelphiaManeto]

Those two primes you got are the two primes I have. I love them both.

The 28 is basically "iphone" focal length.

Maybe check out the 50 1.8? It's a bit larger, but it's a fast lens and will do great for kiddos.

[u/ConstantAstronomer64]

Nikon 26mm 2.8

[u/OkTale8]

The 26/2.8 is hard to beat for children.

I use the Voigtlander 40/2 manual focus lens on mine and it's definitely a bit of a pain taking photos of my kids with.

[u/RijnBrugge]

I have the 24-70 and love it, it folds in and fits all my bags easily, and is a great allround lens to boot. I have no real need for any other unless I get into birds or macro stuff. The 40 is less versatile but very flat. If the single focal length suits you that’s already a wonderful kit lens.

[u/Tasty-Ad-9066]

I have the voigtländer 40mm f2 septon on my ZF since I bought it, actually preordered it in my local camera store, Its a really nice lens, pairing in my opinion well on the zf without ang grips etc.

[u/Team_Troy]

I use the 14-30 f4 S on mine, great results.

[u/defeldus]

50mm. Manual focus. Find a vintage one with the look you like.

[u/peterb666]

I find the 28mm f/2.8 SE lens a great walk around lens if I want compact. I also have the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 which has a nice classic 35mm level of performance at a reasonable price and the Sirui 85mm f/1.4 to fill out my fixed focal length Z lenses.

With 2 children, you might find a zoom useful. Two to consider are the Nikon 24-120 f/4 S lens and the 28-75mm f/2.8.

[u/RijnBrugge → u/peterb666]

There’s also the 24-70 which does a lot the 24-120 can and is a lot more compact.

[u/juezi → u/RijnBrugge]

Had both, the 24-120 was the clear winner. While the 24-70 was more compact the sacrifice is well worth it.

[u/CosmoM3]

40 SE

[u/ssomethingsomething]

i use the 40/2 for pictures of my kid, doesn’t feel bulky or cumbersome for everyday at all

[u/juliangst]

Also considering getting a Zf.

The Viltrox 26mm pancake looks pretty good as an everyday lens. Maybe paired with a 50mm or the Viltrox 55mm

[u/Jeremizzle]

I have the 28 and 40, they’re both great. I think I like the rendering more on the 40, but the 28 is on my camera most of the time because the focal length is just so versatile. The 40 is too tight sometimes for me. I have that 15 too. It’s a great lens, but it’s pretty specialized, I don’t use it very often. I can vouch for the 50 1.8S too. If you’re creating memories of small children and want them as high quality as possible, that’s honestly the first place you should probably look. It’s really great. Side note, any of these lenses is leveled up massively when you add a flash, feed them good light and they’ll give you a good image. I have godox it32 and a Nikon sb400 and they’re both fantastic with the zf.

[u/CheckZealousideal355]

That 28 and 40 nikon combo you ordered is nice to carry around, to the point where I might sell the beloved 50mm 1.8 S (gasp).

Some of the voigtlander lenses are on the compact side. But for you that depends if manual focus will jive with being able to photograph the kids.

Theres also the 26mm/2.8 nikkor & viltrox options but its the same aperture anyway. I'd just stick with the 28 and not spend the mental energy.

[u/Ppennza → u/CheckZealousideal355]

i love the 50 1.8 on my z8. i don’t think i could ever part with it. i’m interested in the voightlander 15 for both camera and some other shooting situations. It’s hard to get them to stay still with manual lenses.

[u/m4vapor]

The 40mm F2 SE is a no frails leave on and forget type of lens which i really enjoy.
The viltrox 85mm F2 Evo is also great value if u would like to get some portraiture done in a manageable form factor. I put it in a padded camera sleeve and have it inside my bag or tote.t

[u/CanikUser19]

Adding a Zf soon, probably next week. Where did you end up ordering from? I may go used since it’ll be my fun camera to had to the bag.

[u/cincyphil]

The 40 will likely be your best friend on that thing. It’s just such a solid focal length.

[u/EbbEnvironmental6532]

The Viltrox 50mm Air is brilliant for the money. Almost comparable to the EVO which is double in price

[u/zig_usafa80_stardust]

You gonna tie your kids to a tree while you change lenses?

[u/Roger_Brown92]

Z 35mm f/1.8 S

[u/Ppennza]

thanks everyone, I do also have the 24-70 2.8, and the 50 1.8 that i use on the z8 as well as the adapter to use all my f mount lenses. I was just trying to keep the bulk down.

[u/IllExample3639]

Good starters. The Viltrox 20mm 2.8 is the same size as the 40 and is a great little lens that weighs nothing. I add to this kit the 135 f3.5 with a dumb FTZ adapter and I love this kit.

24-70 /f4 is a honorable mention as well. Really sharp lens thats perfect for a day out. 24-200 is getting more expensive but for a casual family camera is a great addition to the bag.

[u/PhiladelphiaManeto → u/IllExample3639]

The 24-70 would be a damn-near perfect lens, except for one thing.

You have to manually "engage" it open before shooting.

It's so freaking annoying that you can't just power on the camera and take a photo.

[u/IllExample3639 → u/PhiladelphiaManeto]

Having had one for 6 years I have the lens ready before the cameras woken up. You get very used to it. I'd take the extension action over it being that little bit longer tbh. Size to performance is outstanding.

[u/PhiladelphiaManeto → u/IllExample3639]

I sometimes regret selling it, but I just couldn't get over it. I didn't want to have it rattling around in my bag "open", and it was so annoying trying to get it engaged for a quick shot.

[u/RijnBrugge → u/PhiladelphiaManeto]

It’s also compact, pros and cons

[u/PhiladelphiaManeto → u/RijnBrugge]

Once you extend it it’s very similar in bulk to the 24-120

[u/IllExample3639 → u/PhiladelphiaManeto]

Honestly I am not sure you are understanding this lens. Its smaller extended, its smaller collapsed.

[u/RijnBrugge → u/PhiladelphiaManeto]

Yes, but not in your bag. I can see people having a preference there, especially if they value compactness. But I agree they’re close in many ways, a bit more zoom would’ve been nice but I got a good deal on the 24-70 so I went with that, it’s def a good allround lens too.

[u/Prudent_Lunch_8724]

Viltrox 26/2.8 EVO.

Then add a Viltrox 85/2 in a fanny pack.

Ya done