For now I did the safe thing: I pulled the trigger on a Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens. I Guess if I have a favorite focal length it is 105mm. When I bought my first serious camera, a Nikkormat FTN my first lens was a 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor followed by a 105mm f/2.5.
The Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a bit smaller and lighter than the Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G VR and thankfully lacks the latter's longitudinal chromatic aberration. I consider the old 105/2.8 lens to be somewhat at the mid to lower end of a good lens for that aberration.
The new 105/2.8 is a substantial lens. I wish the girth and length were a bit less but it's not the honker that the old lens was.
I'm still considering my options for a mid range zoom.
Dave
I've got 24-70 f4, I find it very good for every day use , its small (collapsible) and light but f4 is limited to have bokeh in your photos

The 24-120 f4 is a very nice choice but again to big to carry around, I prefer my Iphone
I use my Z 40 f2 light /plastiky but wonderfull lens