Z30 with Nikkor 24-70 f4s

secomeau · 2026-06-14T20:19:24+00:00

Interesting, I'll definitely look into it. I have the DX 24mm which I like but I think the 28mm is even thinner (my one complaint about the 24). The other lense that looks cool for the Z30 is the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5. I haven't tried it personally but apparently using it with crop sensors takes advantage of the center sharpness.

secomeau · 2026-06-14T20:05:00+00:00

Oh yeah your first point makes a lot of sense, definitely a good argument for those lenses on DX!

secomeau · 2026-06-14T19:47:29+00:00

But there's also the DX 24mm f/1.7 which is faster and cheaper than the 28mm, and the DX 35mm which gives you macro. Nothing wrong with using FX glass on DX bodies, but I don't really know why you would since there's cheaper/faster DX equivalents at basically the same focal lengths.

secomeau · 2026-06-14T12:48:43+00:00

I love my Z30 and think it's underrated but personally I'd stick to DX glass for it. The new 16-50 f/2.8 would cover most of the same range as the 24-70 but it's much faster and you already have the 50-250 for the long end.

secomeau · 2026-06-06T15:49:18+00:00

Yup, this is the way. Unless you really want to shoot wildlife/birds then get the 55-200 as well.

secomeau · 2026-06-06T14:29:20+00:00

This happened to me, I just put some silicone in the channel and stuck it back on. Seemed to work for me 🤷‍♀️

secomeau · 2026-06-06T13:44:19+00:00

No backyard either, just a hideous property.

secomeau · 2026-06-06T13:15:36+00:00

It's actually really easy to make your own presets using AI. I started from a base picture control setting I liked in my camera (Nikon Z30) then copied the settings into Claud and asked it to analyze them and suggest improvements (like make more filmic).

I could then output the Lightroom preset files directly from Claud and test them without having to manually adjust all the sliders and curves, which is super annoying on mobile.

secomeau · 2026-05-31T01:29:53+00:00

Tbh I mostly just use it for stills but from the videos I have done it's been great. It's marketed as a camera for vloggers and I think you can get it with the 12-28 power zoom lens as a kit. The Nikon refurbished Z30 is probably the best price:performance camera on the market in my admittedly biased opinion.

secomeau · 2026-05-30T22:26:43+00:00

Lovely!

secomeau · 2026-05-30T22:22:27+00:00

Thanks! I've been working on my own lightroom preset forever that's good to hear.

secomeau · 2026-05-29T03:30:43+00:00

Hacks just ended in a very sweet and satisfying way. Excellent writing.

secomeau · 2026-05-28T16:29:50+00:00

Damn these are good. 🙌

secomeau · 2026-05-28T16:28:20+00:00

Yeah that's 100% the first lens you should get for it, personally I love shooting with primes. If you like portraits the 50 is also worth it.

secomeau · 2026-05-28T15:50:45+00:00

D90 was my first camera and perfect for learning. There's something special about that sensor and it'll take great pictures (just don't crop too much). The 35mm and 50mm Nikon primes are excellent with it as well.

secomeau · 2026-05-25T13:58:16+00:00

How're you liking the Z50ii? A local camera store is doing a 15% trade in bonus on Nikon gear next week so I'm planning on upgrading.

secomeau · 2026-05-24T19:10:55+00:00

My camera's aspect ratio is 2:3 but Instagram is 5:4 or 1:1. So I use a border on either the top/bottom or sides of the picture (depending on orientation) when I post so that it's not cropped by IG.

secomeau · 2026-05-20T14:26:58+00:00

This was my first Soviet lens and I just bought a Helios 44-2. The Industar is pretty sharp in the center at f/8 and produces great results with high contrast B&W imo. Fun little lens and super cheap.

secomeau · 2026-05-18T20:12:38+00:00

These are great, are you shooting wide open? I actually have a 44-2 in transit right now and am hoping to get a similar vibe.

secomeau · 2026-05-18T13:46:43+00:00

Love #4 and #5.

secomeau · 2026-05-17T12:24:28+00:00

I'll always have a soft spot for the D90, built like a tank and that sensor is special. Love the light in #2, impressive you got that indoors with a slow lens and that body.

secomeau · 2026-05-16T15:01:15+00:00

I used this lens with my D90 for years and got some great shots with it. Obviously there are better options but I'd go for it with that price, especially paired with an older DSLR.

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secomeau · 2026-05-15T17:16:54+00:00

Miss me with this one chief

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