The Nikon 24-200mm Lens: The Ultimate Landscape Photography Companion
"The Nikon 24-200mm lens is the perfect all-rounder for landscape photography. If you’re capturing wide vistas or zooming in on intricate details, this versatile lens will always deliver amazing clarity and sharpness. Discover why this lens is worth a place in every landscape photographer’s kit."
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The Nikon 24-200mm lens.
My Favourite Lens
Capturing some distant details up Holme Fell in the English Lake District.
On this adventure, I took a trip up Holme Fell, a location that never disappoints when it comes to landscape photography.
With me was the Nikon 24-200mm lens, a versatile piece of kit that’s quickly become my go-to choice for capturing the Lake District.
In this blog, I’m going to dive deep into why the Nikon 24-200mm is such a fantastic lens for landscape photography.
We’ll look at how it performed on Holme Fell, how its versatility came into play, and why it’s become an essential part of my photography gear.
If you’re a landscape photographer looking for a reliable, all-in-one lens, this post is for you!
Versatility: The All-in-One Lens for Landscape Photography
I usually shoot with my beloved Nikon Z7
The Nikon 24-200mm lens is a true powerhouse when it comes to versatility! Covering a focal range from 24mm to 200mm, it’s like having several lenses rolled into one, which is a massive advantage when you’re out in the field.
At 24mm, this lens gives you that wide-angle perspective that’s perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes. On my full-frame Nikon Z7, 24mm allows me to take in the vastness of a scene, making it ideal for those expansive views that the Lake District is known for.
When I need to zoom in, the 200mm end of the lens comes into play. This focal length is perfect for picking out details in the landscape, like distant peaks or the intricate patterns in the terrain.
On this trip up Holme Fell, I found myself frequently switching between the wide-angle and telephoto ends of the lens, capturing everything from the broad view of the fells to the small details that make the landscape so unique.
What’s even better is the Nikon Z 7’s DX crop mode, which extends the reach of the lens to around 300mm. This feature is incredibly handy when you need that extra bit of zoom, especially in situations where you can’t physically get closer to your subject. With this lens,
I was able to cover all the bases without needing to swap lenses, which saved time and kept my kit lightweight.
Picking out intricate details and light across the landscape.
Capturing the Light: Holme Fell’s Dramatic Views
Capturing the vast beauty of The Lake District as the light changed minute-by-minute!
Holme Fell is a photographer’s dream, and on this particular day, the light was nothing short of spectacular!
The weather had been cloudy and rainy throughout the day, but just as the sun began to set, the clouds started to break, creating patches of golden light that danced across the landscape.
As the light changed, so did the mood of the landscape.
At one point, I zoomed in around 180mm to capture a specific area where the light was hitting the fells just perfectly (see image above).
The Nikon 24-200mm lens handled it brilliantly, delivering sharp, detailed images that truly captured the drama of the scene. The contrast between the illuminated areas and the dark, shadowy fells was breathtaking, and the lens’ ability to render these contrasts with such clarity was impressive.
One of the things I love most about this lens is how well it performs in changing light conditions.
Landscape photography often involves chasing the light, and the 24-200mm makes it easy to adapt quickly.
During this shoot, I found myself constantly adjusting the zoom to capture different aspects of the scene. The 24-200mm made it easy to switch between wide-angle shots of the entire landscape and close-up details of specific areas where the light was creating interesting patterns and textures.
This flexibility is a huge plus when you’re working with unpredictable light, as it allows you to quickly capture the scene as it unfolds.
Handheld Shooting: Sharpness in Every Shot
Handheld shooting with the 24-200 is made much easier by its awesome vibration reduction.
One of the standout features of the Nikon 24-200mm lens is its sharpness, even when shooting handheld. During this trip up Holme Fell, the weather was quite windy, which made setting up a tripod more challenging than usual. But the 24-200mm lens didn’t miss a beat.
Even in gusty conditions, I was able to capture crisp, clear shots without the need for a tripod.
The lens’ optical stabilisation is a lifesaver in situations like this, allowing me to shoot handheld and still get sharp results. This is particularly important when you’re on the move, as setting up a tripod can sometimes slow you down and cause you to miss those fleeting moments of perfect light.
The images were consistently sharp, with plenty of detail in both the foreground and background.
This level of performance is crucial in landscape photography, where capturing the fine details of a scene can make all the difference in the final image.
The 24-200mm also excels at maintaining sharpness across its entire focal range. Whether I was shooting at 24mm to capture a wide view of the fells or zooming in to 200mm to isolate a specific feature in the landscape, the images were consistently sharp and detailed.
This reliability is one of the reasons why this lens has become such an essential part of my kit.
A wider (bracketed) image taken at 24mm.
Quick Adjustments: Adapting to Changing Conditions
The adaptability this lens lends to your photography is second to none.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, the light on Holme Fell changed rapidly, creating a variety of different moods and atmospheres.
One of the great strengths of the Nikon 24-200mm lens is its ability to adapt to these changing conditions without missing a beat.
On this particular evening, I found myself constantly adjusting the focal length to keep up with the shifting light.
One moment, I was capturing a wide-angle view of the entire landscape, and the next, I was zooming in to focus on a small, illuminated section of the fells. The 24-200mm made it easy to switch between these different perspectives, allowing me to capture the full range of the scene.
What really impressed me was how quickly I could adjust the lens to capture different shots.
Landscape photography often involves a lot of quick thinking and even quicker adjustments, especially when the light is changing fast.
With the 24-200mm, I was able to seamlessly transition from one composition to another, ensuring that I didn’t miss any of the action.
This adaptability is one of the reasons why I reach for the 24-200mm so often.
It’s the perfect tool for those moments when you need to be quick on your feet and ready to adapt to whatever the landscape throws your way.
A wider shot as the light started to dip.
Final Thoughts
The Nikon 24-200mm lens has once again proven itself as a reliable and versatile tool for landscape photography.
If you’re in the market for a lens that can do it all, this is definitely one to consider adding to your kit.
Check out the video below to see me talking about/using this lens on location!
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About Me
I'm Henry Turner, a UK-based professional landscape photographer and YouTuber. I share my adventures through in-depth articles, location guides, and photography tips to help you capture stunning landscapes. My journeys span Scotland, The Lake District, Wales, and beyond. Every week, I post new blog content and YouTube videos.
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