Hey Everyone ! I hope you find this video useful! I was certainly surprised how well the 24-70mm F4S faired in the centre of the frame compared to primes lenses. I was certainly expecting the Primes to be noticeably better. Let me know what you think. Hope you are all staying safe !

Thanks for working on this one. I'm sure many more people are using the Z 24-70 4.0 S than the Z 24-70 2.8 S and might have thought that somehow it was not "good enough" compared to the S prime lenses. Nonsense and this video confirms the 24-70 4.0 is first-class and worth consideration as a first-choice lens in every case. Somehow, I assumed that to be the case, but nonetheless, I have the Z 35 1.8 S and Z 50 1.8 S because they are 1.8. When I am shooting in low light, I appreciate the extra F stops. Otherwise, for my style, I actually prefer a wider DOF, and your tests confirm that 4.0 can have advantages in that, and sharpness, as well. The Z 24-70 4.0 S is no slouch. Considering that the Z 24-70 2.8 S is more than twice the price and almost twice the weight, the 4.0 is the one for me to use in most cases.

Another great video! Yes, fact is that this so called “kit” lens is one of the best value/money lenses ever made from any brand, period. Especially when bought in a kit together with a Z body, something like $400 cost for the lens, which is a real steal! And it’s so compact and light... what an amazing lens!

The 50mm 1.8 is amazing. The 24-70 f4 is very good. I think having these two is the best combination. When you need the fast aperture, you use the 50. When you need flexibility and small size, you use the 24-70. That's what I hope to have one day paired with the Z6.

Thank you again Ricci, for your lens (and camera) comparison methods. The results of this one surprised me too. Sincerely appreciated, since this sort of comparison would be difficult or impossible without owning the lenses. Take care, and stay safe!

What a great, informative review. Just what I and I'm sure, other owners of the Z series cameras were wanting to know. Many thanks.

Thanks Ricci, another great video! Given how good the Z primes, it is remarkable how the Z zooms compare so favourably.

Really good review. This really gave very good perspective on my choices. A big thumbs up. ;-)

Thx from France, another great video.

Very good video. Your methodology is so easy to follow and practical. I’m pleasantly surprised how relatively sharp the f/4 24-70 Z is compared to the primes. I still remember the 1970s when zooms were a huge quality compromise.

Quite remarkable for what is not an expensive zoom. Thanks for sharing this Ricci, appreciated. Keep safe. Cheers.

I swear, I get a thought in my head and think man, I wish somebody would compare the 24-70 f4 to the primes... boom Ricci Talks has a video. You da man! Thanks!

Thanks for that really useful video, you've just saved me about a grand. I've got the 24-70 f4 (on a Z6) and have always thought it was a superbly versatile lens with great image quality. After your last video about the primes versus the 24-70 f2.8 I bought the 50mm f1.8 and it's incredible. It's not just the sharpness but the the images (local wodland) almost look 3D. So on that basis I was considering the 24mm as well but now I don't think the extra couple of stops are worth paying almost a grand for as I wouldn't trade in due the versitility of the 24-70. However, that may change when the 24-200 comes out and I may consider that for a walk-around lens and the 24 f1.8 for specific work. I would look forward to a similar test of primes versus the 24-200. Once again, many thanks.

Brilliant as usual and quality information

Hi Ricci, Nice comparison video, show some interesting conclusions. One think I would like to see is a comparison of these lenses stop down and when and where refraction shows is head? Keep well and safe.

A video that I didn't know I needed but was actually extremely useful. Thanks Ricci! This has actually made me stop considering the 24mm 1.8, and is also making me think that the 14-30 f4 would be a better choice than the 20mm 1.8 I've been eyeing up. Hopefully a comparison of the wide angles will be up next.

Thank you for the useful review! And I'm really interested in the coming lens 24-200 , would you make a detailed review about it?

Excellent review. This shows just how good the zoom lens really is! In most situations’ The primes will beat the zoom in low light situations but the zoom is as good is most other situations!

Hi Ricci, I hope you bring the 20mm vs the 14-30mm next!

Ok, I love you. Thanks for all u work bro. U save my money and my time with your channel.

thanks for your honest/hard work .

When I carried a 5D Mark II every day, I found I needed the 24-105L for general shooting and the 35L for low light and shallow depth of field. I can't imagine this being too much different for the Z6 and 24-70/4. I'd pack a fast prime, too.

Great Video...Ricci

Love your videos and your shirt!

Thank you very informative.

Hi Ricci, thanks for the video. Good to see the comparison. Are you likely to do a similar video comparing the new Z 24-120mm s with the equivalent primes?

That was super helpful

Yet again, the best, most useful lens comparisons on KZfaq! The 24-70 f/4 in my kit is the most used lens, second, comes the 85 1.8 then 50 1.8 and 24-70 2.8 S. I have the 35 and 24 S primes also but they get used less. The only reason the spectacular 24-70 2.8 S is not used more is I have gotten used to having such a light carry-it-everywhere sling bag with the f/4 zoom plus 1 or 2 primes, usually the 85 plus an SB900 and flash controller. I have shoot commercial fashion and full-length studio sessions and that little zoom was never suspected by the art director. The F mount 2.8 version would not pass overly picky art directors who want to zoom to 300% to reveal stitching or misplaced strand of hair on a dress. The 2,8 S zoom is better than any F prime I have. I have high hopes and expectations for the 70-200 2.8 S but with the lockdown and lack of income for 2 months, it will take a while to save for one. After using that f/4 zoom a year and a half, it is THE indispensable lens, If I could only have 1 lens since it is smaller and light enough to never be a problem traveling with it. One thing I never noticed before was the difference in magnification factor, at each FL it appeared to be 10% longer FL.

Recalling some of your earlier comparisons with F mount lenses where the Z's did some serious bum kicking; mainly in the corners. In this comparison it was like watching an Olympic race and we had to see the photo finish to determine the winner. After seeing this, I am wondering what all the hubbub is for the 50 since the 24-70mm really did hang right in there. I do own the 85mm f/1.8, wanting a longer focal length and a bokeh producing f stop (I consider it my feather weight option to my Sigma 105mm f/1.4 - which is a great lens - but what a hand grenade!). For 95% of my shooting I'm at at least f/5.6, if not a bit more, so this comparison saved me a bunch of money. Thanks!

Wow, I was really surprised how well the 24-70mm F4 does against the prime lens. I have the 24-70mm F4 and have been considering a 50mm prime, that's probably what I'll end up purchasing, every video I've seen about that 50mm has been positive, thanks for your very informative videos, I always learn something from you, thanks...

Thank you Ricci 👌

While the 24-70mm 2.8 S is probably the best 24-70mm 2.8 out there, for many Nikon Z shooters, it is not looking like a great value, especially when the 24-70mm f4 S is sooooo good! And if you're going to spend more than 2000 dollars for a new lens, I would say keep the 24-70mm f4 and get the Nikon Z 70-200mm 2.8 S, it is only a little bit more expensive than the 24-70mm 2.8 S anyway. Great video! I'm a Z50 shooter and I'm saving up to get the 24-70mm f4 S next!

Another great comparison.

I've used the fantastic 50 and 85mm and they feel more like a F1.4, maybe the 85 slightly less than the superb Sigma 85 F1.4 (on Sony) hopefully we see 3rd party lenses in Nikon soon. Thank you for your review, I will get the 24 to 70.

Thank you! I like my 24-70S - except the bokeh.

very useful. I certainly dont see enough difference in performance to justify buying a range of primes. The only tangible benefit to me would be having a f1.8 option. I would like that for portraiture so either the 85 or the 50mm prime might be worthwhile but very impressed with the performance of the 24-70 - excellent do all lens.

Most people sort the 24-70 f4 S in the same category as other manufacturers kitlens... Though it's simply not the case, it's an f4 lena that competes with top primes. Sony Fuji Fanboys tend to forget it.

was looking for this vid! thank u so much

“Anybody seen Richie...” sorry for the Seagal quote buddy, I hope you are doing ok. Looking forward to that 14-30mm vs 20mm review :)

Great review. Very helpful. Thank you very much! I recently bought a Z5 with the 24-70/f4 and I've been wondering how well the zoom stands up to the primes. I too am surprised how well the zoom did. If you compare the weight and cost of the primes to the zoom, you get 1705 grams and $3,280 for the primes and 500 grams and $600 (kit) or $1,000 for the zoom. It seems to me that for general purpose advanced amateur use on a budget, the Z 24-70/f4 does surprising well, especially if you stop it down to 5.6. But for special purpose or professional use, I'd want at least a couple of primes and the Z 24-70/f2.8 or possibly the Z 24-120/f4. Agreed?

Hey ricci talks! I am a portrait photograoher and have a z6. Sold my 85mm 1.8 g to either get the new 85 or the nikon 105mm 1.4. Can you make a video addressing the differences and how the adapter affects its performance if any! Please there is nobody that has this video and you already have this lenses! Like if you wanR this video! Love your video man you are great!

I would love to see a comparison of the Z 24-70 F4, with the Z dx 16-50 on a Z50. Everybody is saying that the 16-50 is so sharp, but that would give us a reverence.

waiting your comparison of Z 24-200 F/4-6.3 thanks

Hi Ricci. First let me thank you for such a comprehensive and detailed comparison between these Nikkor S lenses and the 24-70 f/4 Nikkor S. Though I do have prior experience with Nikon, and currently using Fuji's X-T3 (with some stellar Fujinon XF lenses), I was strongly considering going the Z7 route, but just concerned with Nikkor S lens availability, as I shoot primarily wide (24, 35), macro/micro (80), and occasional short telephoto (200-300), am also considering the Sony a7Rlll. I know the Sony System has some quite good optics in those ranges, but not sure about Nikon's roadmap availability (and obviously unknown image quality) of, say, the Nikkor S 105 Micro, and how that would compare to the known stellar Sony 90 f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens. That said, I do love the ergos and body sealing of the Z7. But at the end of the day, I'm most concerned about image sharpness and detail retention when printing large. I'm thinking both systems would satisfy in that regard, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you sir!

Can you also do a comparison between 14-30mm F4 S vs the 20mm F1.8S and 24mm 1.8s?

Good evening, thank you so much for doing these videos. I have a Z7 for photographing Artwork and I have been using a Nikon 60mm AF macro D 2.8 and recently discovered that I may be not getting the maximum image quality through the lens due to the high megapixel of the Z7. Not too sure if you have one of these lenses but it would be interesting to see if the 50mm 1.8 Z is better? I was wondering if it would be possible to send me a high resolution picture with the Z 50mm 1.8 which I may be able to replicate at my studio to compare the image quality? Obviously I will be happy to send the my picture back if you want to use for anything. Thank you David

Hey Ricci, so is it safe to say that the 24-70 2.8 is just as good as those prime lenses?

Gotta catch em all^^

thanks :)

What is beter for video the 24-70 f4 or the 35mm?

I’m just about to pull the trigger on a z7 at this late stage. Not much news on the horizon from Nikon though which is frustrating in light of all this Canon news.

I own the 14-30mm, the 50mm and the 85mm. I‘m looking forward to a (90mm or 105mm) macro-lens for the Z mount.

Looking through the comments and no ones talk nothing about Nikon D6 from these pictures! @Ricci Talks when you will make a review to D6? Comparison with D5/D850/Z7 ???

I like the comparison vid, but your comparison only stops the 24-70 down one stop to F5.6. You really should have taken it to at least F8 so the 24-70 gets at least 2 stops down as this would have improved the corners. Going to F11 would have been nice, too, as that can sometimes also improve corners, depending on the lens. When we're using the 24-70 F4 for landscape, cars etc, we're usually stopped down more than F5.6.

Thanks a lot dude. Which of those prime would you choose to take product photography vs the 24-70 ? (Such as food photography or jewelry photography)

Great work again Ricci thank you for your time for making a great content Would love to see 24-70 f4 v 2.8 Just to see whether we can justify the price difference

Hi Ricci - what would be amazing, is if you took a comparable Sony lens - and compared the image quality on that sided to side with Z glass. I have done so myself, and the Z series lenses (Primes) are far superior to the Sony primes that I have tested - I compared the Sony FE 1.4 G master lens ($1600 Lens) with the 24MM Z series lens and the Z series lens was sharper, corner to corner. I was amazed - there are so many people not sure of the Z series glass because they are F1.8 thinking they are "Value" lenses, but that's not the case. They outperform the far more expensive variants from other manufacturers. I think doing that would actually gain you a large number of subscribers, because people seem to love FACTUAL head to head comparisons - and you'll know how to set up that test properly and fairly, as you're far more methodical and intelligent then most individuals that simply "review" cameras products on youtube.

hi ricci, i don't miss any of your video , since i am z6 owner.. however would like to know why not compare prime and zoom lens with different lighting conditions, instead of different apertures?? wouldn't that be a lot more helpful for us?? at least couple of shots showing the difference would be really great for general audience like us

I was a little surprised by the light transmissions at the same F stop from the primes and the 24-70mm. Highlights were certainly peaking on the primes and not so much on the zoom. It would be nice to see a 20mm 1.8 and 24mm 1.8 and 35mm vs the 14-30mm F/4 S as well! Thanks for the helpful content, I currently have the 24-70 F/4, 50mm 1.8 and the 85mm 1.8. I still have the classic 35mm F/1.4 AIS that is fun to use on my Z6 so I was hesitant to upgrade on the wide angle and I think the 14-30mm F/4 or the 20mm F/1.8 may be all I need to cover the wide end. 🤔

Is it just me or are the colours much brighter on the 24 1.8 S than the 24 - 70 F4?

Great video, I wonder how would the primes holds up with the 24-70 f2.8?

Why no full review yet for the 70-200 s 🤔

Hi, Thx for the useful review! Quick question, I hope you can help me; I'm shooting houses, interiors and exteriors. For now I'm using my z6 with the 14-30mm f4, but I want to buy a new lens. Witch one should you choose? The z 24-70mm F4s or the z 24-70mm F2.8s? Thx for helping me out :)!

i wish the review include some out door picture in different lighting condition, with this kind of review it's very misleading how the lens will perform in real world picture, for example, I found the 24-70 F4 S produces some pretty crazy flare when the sun is anywhere in the picture, but review like this will never show. but the issue does affect the real world picture a lot. so this review shows the kit lens is " almost as good" as those primes but in reality is a day and night different.

was a z comparison ever done with the Nikon Z 70-200 versus z 85s and z 105s?

Real shame there are no plans for a 70 - 200 f4 to go with the 24 - 70. It’s an obvious gap for those that don’t need the f2.8 or don’t fancy the weight or price. Before I switched to Nikon I really liked the canon f4l 70 -200 and used this range a lot.

You did not check corner performance with the 24 at 1.8, this would have been great for a complete reference

What I'm surprised by is that there is a such consistency between the S lenses, no lens is significantly softer than the other.

Nice video, What do u think about Beter take 2 primes 50 and 85mm or 24-70 s f4 + 85m Or 24-70 s f4 + 50m? Or all 3?

For me, primes are the way to go because of low light capability!

So the 24-70 is great and plenty for most unless you need the extra light capturing or are a bokeh collector 🙃

Personally I’d have compared at F8 where most lenses are at optimal sharpness across the frame, rather than 5.6.

The 24-70 is a couple percent darker

Corrections make it similar, turn corrections off and we can see a huge difference in all ways, like sharpness, distortions, XA, coma, fall off, etc. Does it matter? Yep, because human eyes very sensitive, you can see 10% better images, but this 10% make a huge impact. Sharpness overrated thought.

Wow the "kit" lens is underrated. Nikon lenses are just great, but comes with a bruise in the wallet! I wish they opened their Mount to third parties. Biggest downfall.

Z lenses are undeniably good. But why do they made them to look as flat black holes? They all look ugly as hell 😂