Hacker
Senior Member
If you can live with the distortion at 24mm. If only Nikon had a 24-70 f/4 with VR, that would be ideal in terms of size, weight and design compromises,
best travel lens for FX body
- Thread starter shuttergeek
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If you can live with the distortion at 24mm. If only Nikon had a 24-70 f/4 with VR, that would be ideal in terms of size, weight and design compromises,
THere is also distortion at 24mm for the 24-70 too actually.
Luminare
Senior Member
It is hard to define "Best Travel Lens".
If one knows what you want to photograph, then it is a different story and "Best Travel Lens" do not apply. "Right tools for the right job"
Hence, to me, "Best" in this context means well balance of all the attributes to get a reasonably good photo. (Not needle sharp from center to corner but sharp enough to print 4R or 5R or to view at 1280 pixels length wise). Such include:
1) Ability of reach for commonly used focal lengths (24,28, 35 - 50, 70, 85 and 105)
2) Sharp Center performance wide open and reasonably good corner performance when stopped down to F8
3) Versatility to use hand held in low light (Not going to carry a tripod when walking along the streets overseas or mostly no chance to use tripods when visiting attractions)
4) Compact enough to be attached to body and carry around in a rugsack that contains water bottles and other stuff.
5) Reasonably Light weight as not to fatigue your body when carrying it for the entire day.
If Travel Lens means going on a holiday and photograph what appears in front of you as you are at the destination, then it is best to carry a zoom. (Travelling to photograph a subject would best be done with prior research and bring the best lens in your stash for the task and should not fall into "Travel Lens")
If UWA is required, 16-35mm f/4 VR will fit in very nicely but would be good to carry a 50mm f/1.8 for additional reach. Else the 24-120 f/4 VR will be a good option for more general applications.
If one knows what you want to photograph, then it is a different story and "Best Travel Lens" do not apply. "Right tools for the right job"
Hence, to me, "Best" in this context means well balance of all the attributes to get a reasonably good photo. (Not needle sharp from center to corner but sharp enough to print 4R or 5R or to view at 1280 pixels length wise). Such include:
1) Ability of reach for commonly used focal lengths (24,28, 35 - 50, 70, 85 and 105)
2) Sharp Center performance wide open and reasonably good corner performance when stopped down to F8
3) Versatility to use hand held in low light (Not going to carry a tripod when walking along the streets overseas or mostly no chance to use tripods when visiting attractions)
4) Compact enough to be attached to body and carry around in a rugsack that contains water bottles and other stuff.
5) Reasonably Light weight as not to fatigue your body when carrying it for the entire day.
If Travel Lens means going on a holiday and photograph what appears in front of you as you are at the destination, then it is best to carry a zoom. (Travelling to photograph a subject would best be done with prior research and bring the best lens in your stash for the task and should not fall into "Travel Lens")
If UWA is required, 16-35mm f/4 VR will fit in very nicely but would be good to carry a 50mm f/1.8 for additional reach. Else the 24-120 f/4 VR will be a good option for more general applications.
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szeping
Senior Member
I concur with you Luminare.
I always have 16-35mm F/4 on my D700 most of the time, with 50mm and another m3/4 system with 45-175mm in my small bag. So virtually I can cover wide, low light and zoom using a reasonably light weight combo.
agree.... in fact "for me" the 24-70 was good only in the 35 - 70mm range.... the reason why i sold it years ago. ( For me it's not worth the price tag ! I'll pay more IF it actually delivered. )
s1221ljc
Senior Member
I agree with you on this. I have the 16-35 24-120 f4s & 50 f1.8g with me on travels & these about take care of everything I want to capture on photograph 
But if we focus on specifics, like on landscapes, then primes & tripods may be a better alternative.
But if we focus on specifics, like on landscapes, then primes & tripods may be a better alternative.
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For me its one of the most worthy lens I ever bought and the most used focal length with it is actually 24-35, the 35-60 range seldom used, and then 70 was the next most used length. On my copy the weakness is at the extremes of both ends, 24 and 70, which is a common lens behavior.
Hacker
Senior Member
How is the focusing speed on the lens relative to say the Nikon equivalents?
Hacker
Senior Member
Of course, but less so.
Kenneth Chen
New Member
The best lens to carry with you on a trip is the Nikon AF-S DX zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8G IF-ED check review by
fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom
Ken Rockwell
Nikon Glass
photozone
Thom Hogan
When you are traveling the lighter the better this is a very small, compact and fast lens from Nikon full frame standard zoom range which is adequate for most of your daily needs. The 24-70mm f2.8 is better a bit bulky and heavy for use as a travel lens. It's will be okay if you don't have many other things to carry.
fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom
Ken Rockwell
Nikon Glass
photozone
Thom Hogan
When you are traveling the lighter the better this is a very small, compact and fast lens from Nikon full frame standard zoom range which is adequate for most of your daily needs. The 24-70mm f2.8 is better a bit bulky and heavy for use as a travel lens. It's will be okay if you don't have many other things to carry.
Uncle Meng
Member
Sounds like a good idea. DSLR with 16-35mm for landscape and a canon S90 (in my case) for family shots.
diediealsomustdive
Senior Member
Kenneth Chen said:
Didn't know the 17-55 is an FX lens.
Luminare
Senior Member
Reviews are always best read with a pinch of salt and pepper.
The 17-55 is a good lens BUT in using a FX body, one have to switch to DX mode which otherwise defeats the purpose of getting a FX body.
Nonetheless, it is the top of line DX zoom lens Nikon currently have and should work wonders with the DX line of bodies. Used it on a D80 and was very good and should work even better with the D7100
The 17-55 is a good lens BUT in using a FX body, one have to switch to DX mode which otherwise defeats the purpose of getting a FX body.
Nonetheless, it is the top of line DX zoom lens Nikon currently have and should work wonders with the DX line of bodies. Used it on a D80 and was very good and should work even better with the D7100
Ha ha, now we know. Also the reviews don't tout this as a travel lens but what do we know?
Luminare
Senior Member
It depends actually but the 70-200 will offer better versatility with its longer reach. Should taking some wild life or sports or landscape at an overhang where reach is required, 70-200 is a great range to have. And you can carry a TC-14E II for even longer reach.
However, I have to say the above is uncommon to rare on general travels unless you plan for it (meaning part of the travel plan includes going to take such photos). I carry my 70-200 f/2.8 VR II when I travel but I have to say that carrying it around be it in a bag or attached and slung to your body is tiring even though it was planned for.
Hence, for travel, if I could, I rather carry the 16-35 and a 24-120 while keeping the 50mm f/1.8G at home unless there are specific needs.
However, I have to say the above is uncommon to rare on general travels unless you plan for it (meaning part of the travel plan includes going to take such photos). I carry my 70-200 f/2.8 VR II when I travel but I have to say that carrying it around be it in a bag or attached and slung to your body is tiring even though it was planned for.
Hence, for travel, if I could, I rather carry the 16-35 and a 24-120 while keeping the 50mm f/1.8G at home unless there are specific needs.
I have the 16-35 F/4 and 50 F/1.8, contemplating to get another lens for my travels in June. Toying with the idea of getting either the 24-120mm F/4 or the 70-200mm F/4.
If you guys were me, which lens do you recommend getting? Using a D600
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