Let’s be honest… most kit lenses don’t exactly get people excited.
They’re usually the “it’ll do for now” option. Something you use until you upgrade.
But every now and then, one comes along that makes you pause and think:
“Wait… this is actually pretty good.”
That’s exactly what’s happening with the Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1.
Why This Lens Exists
If you’re shooting on Nikon Z, your options haven’t exactly been perfect for beginners:
- The Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 is incredible… but expensive
- The Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is affordable… but limited
- Superzooms like the 24–200mm are versatile… but again, not cheap
So there’s been a gap:
A genuinely affordable, do-it-all lens that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
This 24–105mm is Nikon trying to fill that gap.
First Impressions (And the Big Trade-Off)
Let’s address the obvious downside straight away:
The aperture.
- f/4 at 24mm — totally fine
- f/7.1 at 105mm — pretty slow
That’s slower than older DSLR equivalents, and it does limit things like:
- Low light performance
- Background blur (bokeh)
- Flexibility in tougher conditions
But here’s the key point most people miss:
That slower aperture is exactly why this lens performs so well optically.
Nikon hasn’t pushed the design.
They’ve kept it simple.
And that shows up in the results.
Build & Handling
This is a lightweight lens at around 340g.
And yes… it’s plastic.
Even the mount.
That might sound like a negative, but in reality:
- It keeps the lens extremely portable
- It’s more than durable enough for normal use
- It pairs perfectly with entry-level bodies like the Nikon Z5 II
You get:
- A single control ring (customisable)
- Smooth autofocus (STM motor)
- 67mm filter thread
- No real weather sealing
It’s simple. No fluff. Just functional.
A Hidden Strength: Macro Capability
This is where things get interesting.
At 105mm, this lens focuses incredibly close:
- Under 20cm focusing distance
- Up to 1:2 magnification
That’s half life-size, which is seriously impressive for a kit lens.
The downside?
That f/7.1 aperture again.
You’ll often need to push ISO to get usable shutter speeds.
But still — for everyday shooting, travel, or detail shots, this is a big win.
Real-World Image Quality
This is where the lens really punches above its weight.
Sharpness
- 24mm: Extremely sharp in the centre, even wide open
- Corners are slightly darker (vignetting), but detail is still strong
- Stopping down tightens everything up slightly
At 105mm:
- Still sharp across the frame
- Minimal drop-off in the corners
- Very consistent performance
Again, this comes back to that slower aperture.
The lens isn’t trying to do anything extreme — so it just performs well everywhere.
Flare Control
Surprisingly good.
Even in bright conditions:
- Minimal ghosting
- Strong contrast retention
This makes it a solid choice for shooting in sunlight.
Bokeh (Background Blur)
Let’s keep expectations realistic…
You’re not buying this lens for creamy backgrounds.
At f/7.1, depth of field is naturally deeper.
At f/4 (wide end), you get:
- Slight cat’s-eye shapes
- Some “busy” highlights
- But overall, fairly smooth rendering
It’s usable — just not special.
What This Lens Is (And What It Isn’t)
This is important.
Because if you judge this lens by the wrong standard, you’ll miss the point.
This lens is:
- A starter lens done properly
- Lightweight and easy to carry everywhere
- Sharp and reliable across the range
- Versatile enough for travel, landscapes, street, and everyday photography
This lens is NOT:
- Fast
- Premium
- Exciting
- Something you’ll show off
And that’s completely fine.
The Truth About Kit Lenses (That Most People Get Wrong)
Most photographers think:
“I need to upgrade my lens to take better photos.”
But in reality…
A lens like this is already capable of producing:
- Professional-looking images
- Print-worthy shots
- Portfolio-level work
The limitation isn’t the lens.
It’s usually:
- Composition
- Light
- Timing
- Fieldcraft
This lens gives you more than enough quality to focus on what actually matters.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re weighing things up:
More affordable (but limited)
- Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
More versatile (but pricier)
- 24–200mm superzooms (Nikon or Tamron)
Best all-round upgrade
- Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4
Should You Buy It?
If you’re buying it as part of a kit with a camera body:
Yes.
It’s great value, more versatile than most kit lenses, and capable of genuinely excellent results.
If you’re buying it on its own:
It’s still solid — but you might want to consider saving for something like the 24–120mm f/4 instead.
Final Thought
You probably won’t fall in love with this lens.
It won’t inspire you just by picking it up.
But it will quietly do something more important:
It will help you take better photos consistently.
And for a first lens, that’s exactly what you need.