best travel lens for FX body


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.
 

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.
 

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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"

.....

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.

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.
 

THere is also distortion at 24mm for the 24-70 too actually.

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. )
 

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.

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.
 

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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. )

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.
 

Hi ...Mind sharing your experience with this lens as well as where and how much you got for it? I am also thinking of getting this, but have no idea where to buy from (cheapest).

Hope you will be able to share.

Thanks

How is the focusing speed on the lens relative to say the Nikon equivalents?
 

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.
 

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.

Sounds like a good idea. DSLR with 16-35mm for landscape and a canon S90 (in my case) for family shots. ;)
 

I go for tamron 24-70 vc ... vc helps a lot for low light situation. I make do with f2.8 .. keep all the prime at home ..
 

Kenneth Chen said:
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.

Didn't know the 17-55 is an FX lens.
 

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 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.
 

Nikon 28-300mm VR. The BEST!!!
 

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 :)
 

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.



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 :)
 

Example of the use of 70-200mm during travel.

Photo: Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
70-200mm at 200mm using D5000

335_640x425_.jpg


Photo: Loch Maree
70-200mm at 70mm using D5000

885-2_640x360_.jpg


Photo: Reindeer of Torridon
70-200mm at 200mm using D5000

870-2_800x450_.jpg
 

When travelling for a specific purpose or a mixture of Travel and Shoot plus Travel to Shoot, "Best Travel Lens" do not apply. Below is an example:

Emerald Flames
Aurora Borealis
Taken with D800 and 14-24 f/2.8

DSC_8817_534x800_.jpg
 

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