A Budget-Friendly Z-Mount Lens: Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm

By Jason Milligan

As Nikon Z shooters, we all know the classic trio: the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, and then the third slot usually goes to either the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S or one of the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lenses (Version 1 or 2). But what about a truly budget-friendly option that might even be the perfect lens to get started with?

Western Australian seahorse // Nikon Z6 II + NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm at 43mm • 1/200 • f/11 • ISO 200 © Jason Milligan

That’s where the Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 comes in. It’s super affordable (around $400-450 USD new), or it might already be sitting in your kit if it came bundled with your camera.

According to the Ikelite Port Chart, all you need is a +4 close-up diopter (inexpensive and screws right on the 52mm filter thread), the DL Compact 8 inch Dome Port # 75344, and the Zoom Gear # 5509.28. That’s right—this tiny little lens doesn’t even require a port extension.

Sure, it doesn’t have the premium build quality or fancy coatings of the pricier options, but it perfectly fills that focal length gap between the 14-30mm and the 105mm. For me, it’s become a great little lens for shooting our local seahorses while still capturing their habitat in the same frame.

 

Pair of Western Australian seahorses in soft coral // Nikon Z6 II + NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm at 24mm • 1/200 • f/9 • ISO 125 © Jason Milligan

Weedy seadragon // Nikon Z6 II + NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm at 45mm • 1/160 • f/11 • ISO 640 © Jason Milligan

 

Western rock octopus // Nikon Z6 II + NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm at 50mm • 1/160 • f/11 • ISO 640 © Jason Milligan

 

Weedy seadragon // Nikon Z6 II + NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm at 24mm • 1/200 • f/10 • ISO 320 © Jason Milligan

 

Western Australian seahorse in soft coral // Nikon Z6 II + NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3mm at 24mm • 1/200 • f/10 • ISO 125 © Jason Milligan

 

All images in this gallery were shot with the Nikon Z6 II. This lens is also compatible with other Nikon Z-mount cameras like the Z6, Z6 III, Z7-series, Z5-series, Z50-series, and the Nikon ZR.

 

Additional Viewing

Featured Customers | Jason Milligan Underwater in Australia

Shooting Sea Dragons in Australia with the Nikon Z6 II

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and Nikon Z6 II Underwater Results

Nikon 24-50mm Setting It Up // 200DL Underwater Housing Zoom Gear Installation [VIDEO]

Top 3 Best Lenses for Nikon Full Frame Mirrorless Underwater [VIDEO]

 

 

Jason Milligan hales from Rockingham, Western Australia. He's been diving for close to two decades and studying underwater photography for over 10 years. In that time he has developed a keen sense of composition, clarity, and it doesn't hurt that his backyard is filled with Australia's most stunning underwater creatures. Follow more of Jason's underwater photography journey on Instagram @millo_hd.