The Nikon Z5II is an upgraded version of the Z5 and is designed to be the entry point into full-frame shooting with the Nikon Z system. So the ideal lens to pair with this camera is one that has decent image quality but stays within a reasonable budget.
If that sounds like what you’re looking for, then my top pick, the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2, will be perfect for you. Keep reading to see more options depending on the type of photography you plan on using your Z5II for the most.
Photography Goals uses affiliate links. When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission.
1. Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8
This lens is an affordable version of the pro-level 24-70mm f/2.8 and gives you similar image quality in a much smaller and lighter body at less than half the cost.
The 28-75mm f/2.8 lens in the Z mount lineup is quite impressive for its cost. It packs a wide max aperture and a good mid-range focal length into a compact body while still delivering exceptional image quality.
While it does lag behind the much more expensive and larger 24-70mm f/2.8 Z lens in terms of pure sharpness and image quality, you really won’t be able to notice that difference when shooting a Z5II. That plus the the size and cost make this lens the top pick and a great option for Z5 shooters.
If you are familiar with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for Sony cameras, this is basically the same lens. It seems likely that Nikon collaborated with Tamron to adapt the lens to its Z-mount lineup while maintaining the Nikon branding. However, it happened, it’s a great option for Z5 shooters.
If you add the 17-28mm f/2.8 lens below then you have the perfect combo of lenses for the Z5 that covers a huge focal range with an f/2.8 max aperture. This makes for a perfect small and lightweight kit for the Z5 that covers 90% of the focal ranges you would use for most shooting.
2. Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8
This compact 28mm lens has a nice wide f/2.8 max aperture and its size pairs nicely with the compact Z5 for a great walk-around combo.
This might be my personal favorite lens to carry around with me on a regular basis.
It’s small and lightweight enough that pairing it with the Z5II makes for a very small kit that is perfect for everyday shooting.
The biggest benefit of this lens is the size. It’s tiny enough that you feel comfortable taking the camera with you to dinner, parties, or just going out walking around. Sometimes a lens that makes it easier to simply have your camera with you will help you get more great photos than a big expensive professional lens.
28mm is a wide enough focal length on the full frame Z5II that you can get a decent amount of scenery in the frame but isn’t so wide that photos of people will be distorted.
In addition, the f/2.8 max aperture makes it easier to get shots in low light, especially compared to the kit lenses often found bundled with cameras that have max apertures in the f/4-6.3 range.
However, if the compact size isn’t as important to you and you want a similar focal length with a wider max aperture then this next option will be perfect for you…
3. Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S
The 35mm prime is an often overlooked but extremely useful and versatile prime lens that is small and compact but gives you excellent image quality.
The 35mm f/1.8 is the lens I recommend for many photographers as the next one to get after they get frustrated with their kit lens. It’s inexpensive and compact, and the f/1.8 aperture opens up an entire world of possibilities compared to most kit lenses.
The f/1.8 aperture is often a massive difference for anyone that’s never used a lens with a wide maximum aperture like that before. It will allow you to experiment with shallow depth of field as well as shoot in low light.
If you plan to use your Z5II for everyday photography like photographing your kids or get-togethers with friends and family, you’ll be thankful to have the option to use f/1.8, especially in indoor situations. You’ll find that indoor lighting is often far darker than you perceive it with your eyes.
So if you want a little more low light capability than the two options above, then I highly recommend checking out this 35mm lens.
4. Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8
This lens is a great companion to the 28-75mm above and shares the same great quality in a small and compact package.
This lens is the wide-angle companion to the top pick above. It’s lighter, more compact, and less expensive than the other wide-angle Z mount options. These things all make it a solid option for your Z5.
The reasons it works well with the Z5 are the same as the top pick, just with a wider angle of view that is perfect for the landscape shooter.
While this lens is quite sharp overall, the place where it falls short of the other wide-angle Z-mount options is around the edges but depending on what you shoot, it may be worth saving a lot of money.
If you’re looking to build out the perfect Z5 kit…I highly recommend combining this lens with the 28-75mm f/2.8 lens above to cover a large focal range without adding much weight to your bag. This combo may be one of the best travel kits you can put together.
