Looking for a decent travel lens for Nikon

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for a decent travel lens for Nikon

Posted: 9/15/2018 1:12:41 PM EDT

I want a one lens solution (lol right?) for travel. I'd like something with some weather resistance, a normal zoom range (18-24mm to 50-100mm), and a shorter overall length. VR and lightweight would be a plus. I don't need a really fast aperture. I'd like to spend less than $1000.

I'm using a Nikon D7200.

Anyone have experience with the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR? Or have an alternative that meets the above requirements?

Posted: 9/15/2018 1:14:17 PM EDT

[#1]

What camera you're using would be helpful here.

The gold standard is the 24-120 f/4.

The 18-70DX (oldie but goodie) is a damn decent alternative.

The D500 came out with a lens that was something like 16-80 f/2.8-4 that I hear good things about.

Posted: 9/15/2018 2:20:38 PM EDT

[#2]

Edited to add camera body.

That 16-80 looks like it might be a good choice, I don't know how I didn't run across it already.

Posted: 9/15/2018 3:42:47 PM EDT

[#3]

The gold standard is the 24-120 f/4.

View Quote

This. Well under your budget.

It's not the most compact lens, though.

Here it is on a D500, about the same size as your D7200.

D500 + RRS Plate + MS3 Sling by FredMan, on Flickr

Posted: 9/15/2018 6:55:01 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I want a one lens solution (lol right?) for travel. I'd like something with some weather resistance, a normal zoom range (18-24mm to 50-100mm), and a shorter overall length. VR and lightweight would be a plus. I don't need a really fast aperture. I'd like to spend less than $1000.

I'm using a Nikon D7200.

Anyone have experience with the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR? Or have an alternative that meets the above requirements?

View Quote

I have the 24-85mm. It works great as a travel lens on a full-frame camera. It matches well with the newer 70-300mm versions.

For a DX body, you are most likely looking for something in the 16mm starting range. The 18-200mm and 18-300mm are good one-lens setups for DX bodies, but they are not exactly light weight or small.

Just about any of the Nikon consumer lenses starting in the 16-18mm range will work great for you. You just need to figure out what length you want in the long end.

Posted: 9/15/2018 8:43:30 PM EDT

[#5]

I'll add the 18-105 isn't a bad option either. Used it for years before I upgraded to the 24-120 (and added the Tokina 11-16 to my stable).

But the 24-120 is a higher grade of lens.

Posted: 9/16/2018 9:35:18 AM EDT

[#6]

Whatever you get, make sure it’s VR. I have an older 55-200mm kit lens that isn’t stabilized and took it to Alaska. I still got some good shots but had more annoying blurs than my 18-70 Sigma (got off a member here, I adore this lens).

I should have rented a telephoto. I got some footage of glacier calving that I had to digitally stabilize in Adobe Premiere.

Posted: 9/16/2018 10:09:27 AM EDT

[#7]

A 24-85 f/2.8-4.0 is the lens that's most often mounted to my D800.

But, 24mm is going to be too narrow on a DX body. For years, I just used a 12-24 f/4 and 70-200 f/2.8 on my D200. My favorite 20mm and 24-85mm lenses were just too narrow for what I wanted to do on a DX sensor.

Nikon makes a 16-80 f/2.8-4.0 DX lens. That's what I'd go for.

Posted: 9/24/2018 9:31:54 AM EDT

[#8]

I have the 24-85D (The one that Rockwell says is absolute trash) and it has been a favorite for a long time (bought in 2001). It is a great lens. However, the last couple years I have been shooting more with the 18-140. I will say it isn't the absolute best at anything, it is REALLY GOOD at a lot of things. If I could only carry one lens, that may be it. However, while I like having VR, what I really like is having f2.8...

The 24-120 that others have mentioned is a spectacular lens. I don't own one, and for awhile it had a bit of a stigma attached to it for reasons I can't figure out. It is a remarkable lens, with a constant aperture...

-shooter

Posted: 9/26/2018 10:18:30 AM EDT

[#9]

I went with the DX 16-80 f/2.8-4 kit lens. It had good reviews and I found a very lightly used one on Ebay for a good price. On my crop sensor it has an equivalent focal range of 24-120.

Posted: 9/26/2018 1:01:24 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I went with the DX 16-80 f/2.8-4 kit lens. It had good reviews and I found a very lightly used one on Ebay for a good price. On my crop sensor it has an equivalent focal range of 24-120.

View Quote

I'm quite interested to hear how you like it.

I've been considering picking one up. More for the wide end than anything.

Posted: 9/27/2018 10:26:32 PM EDT

[#11]

I have both 24-85mm and the 18-70DX for some years now. The 18-70DX is not one of Nikon's durable zooms, but the 18mm is nice for a DX camera. I believe it is also discontinued now. The 24-85mm is a full frame and is excellent for a DX camera. I used it for a year in the studio during my studio lighting class and afterwords.

However, the true gold standard is the 24-70mm f2.8 ED. I had it about a year after buying the 24-85mm lens. It is beyond fantastic. Nikon has an updated version with VR, but I don't need it for what I use it for.

I subscribe to the philosophy that the DX DLSR era is coming to a close, and that DSLR will just have the 35mm format sensors. So, it's best to buy FX lenses if you plan on staying with DSLR.

If you think mirrorless is definitely your future, make the jump soon as I'm not aware of any mirrorless camera with a Nikon F mount. I doubt there will be one either.

Posted: 9/27/2018 10:49:34 PM EDT

[#12]

I use the 17-55mm f2.8 a lot on my 7200.

Posted: 9/28/2018 5:22:57 PM EDT

[#13]

I subscribe to the philosophy that the DX DLSR era is coming to a close, and that DSLR will just have the 35mm format sensors.

View Quote

I respectfully disagree. The DX format has some distinct advantages over FX for sports and wildlife (or anything long range), and those kinds of shooters want every erg of advantage they can get.

What we may see is the end of low-end DX, but DX as a whole is here to stay.

Posted: 9/30/2018 7:59:43 PM EDT

[#14]

Got a couple hours in with this lens this afternoon. The cloud cover made for really uninspiring lighting but the leaves are starting to turn which makes for some nice contrast. I really wish I had brought my tripod with me, I lost quite a few good shots due to the narrow aperture and low available light.

@Zack3g

Overall I'm very happy with this lens. It has a bit of distortion on either end of the focal range and its not as sharp as my 50mm prime, but its small and light enough I can carry it around all day and it will shoot just about anything well enough.

My only real complaint is there are two spots appearing in my photos, in the upper half just right of center. What is causing those?

Posted: 9/30/2018 9:01:54 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got a couple hours in with this lens this afternoon. The cloud cover made for really uninspiring lighting but the leaves are starting to turn which makes for some nice contrast. I really wish I had brought my tripod with me, I lost quite a few good shots due to the narrow aperture and low available light.

@Zack3g

Overall I'm very happy with this lens. It has a bit of distortion on either end of the focal range and its not as sharp as my 50mm prime, but its small and light enough I can carry it around all day and it will shoot just about anything well enough.

My only real complaint is there are two spots appearing in my photos, in the upper half just right of center. What is causing those?

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/43208076280_24f91ec6e9_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/45019105241_52493d18d0_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1954/45019108671_55d5672af6_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/30082689817_91d9e03036_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1939/43208094250_a3126e5cc8_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1967/45019114771_cedb3174a5_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1970/45019111421_d1b53c4907_b.jpg

View Quote

That's sensor dust.

Posted: 9/30/2018 9:04:55 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

That's sensor dust.

View Quote

That's what I was worried about. I've tried the built-in sensor clean a couple times, and then locked the mirror up and used a blower. The spots are still there.

Posted: 9/30/2018 9:15:26 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

That's what I was worried about. I've tried the built-in sensor clean a couple times, and then locked the mirror up and used a blower. The spots are still there.

View Quote

We've got a thread going on about it right now:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Help-please-/121-2150161/

Posted: 9/30/2018 9:29:04 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

That's what I was worried about. I've tried the built-in sensor clean a couple times, and then locked the mirror up and used a blower. The spots are still there.

View Quote

The spot healing brush in Photoshop, will take care of those, toot sweet.

Posted: 10/1/2018 10:39:52 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Got a couple hours in with this lens this afternoon. The cloud cover made for really uninspiring lighting but the leaves are starting to turn which makes for some nice contrast. I really wish I had brought my tripod with me, I lost quite a few good shots due to the narrow aperture and low available light.

@Zack3g

Overall I'm very happy with this lens. It has a bit of distortion on either end of the focal range and its not as sharp as my 50mm prime, but its small and light enough I can carry it around all day and it will shoot just about anything well enough.

My only real complaint is there are two spots appearing in my photos, in the upper half just right of center. What is causing those?

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/43208076280_24f91ec6e9_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/45019105241_52493d18d0_b.jpg

View Quote

I may have missed it but what lens is it?