diediealsomustdive
Senior Member
Ts asked for a lens and we now have 4!
best travel lens for FX body
- Thread starter shuttergeek
- Start date
ortega
Moderator
16-35 f4 on my camera 98% of the time, so maybe you can skip the 50mm altogether
but the tripod and bounce flash made of break some shots, so i'd say bring them along
GReddyZC76
New Member
i went somewhere overseas, brought 16-36 f4, 28 f1.8 & 85 f1.8. i found i use 28 f1.8 almost 98% of the time & 16-35 f4 :: 1% (for landscapes) , 85 f1.8 :: 1%
xylphz
Member
My always best FX combo is the AF-D 18-35 f/3.5-4.5D + 50mm f/1.4D for travel. The 18-35 is really value for money still despite its new G model came out for those who don't need AF-S.
and not to forget the AF-D 24-85 f/2.8-4D one of the good lens among with the 28-105. I miss Nikon making mid-range zooms with macro function...
and not to forget the AF-D 24-85 f/2.8-4D one of the good lens among with the 28-105. I miss Nikon making mid-range zooms with macro function...
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gymak90
Senior Member
I think it really depends on what you like to shoot.
I recently traveled in Canada and US for about 6 weeks, and I had D600 + 24-85VR + 70-300. I like shooting landscapes and streetscapes, so 24-85VR was on 90% of the time. 24-85VR is sharp, distortion can be easily corrected, and the colours are good. But sometimes, I found 24mm too narrow for street, especially in crowded places.
I recently traveled in Canada and US for about 6 weeks, and I had D600 + 24-85VR + 70-300. I like shooting landscapes and streetscapes, so 24-85VR was on 90% of the time. 24-85VR is sharp, distortion can be easily corrected, and the colours are good. But sometimes, I found 24mm too narrow for street, especially in crowded places.
I 2nd that, went to japan recently and 16-35 was on my body most of the time
saberlancer
Senior Member
I carry tht too, like tht I can stack with either a 24mmf2.8 or 50mm f1.8 on top of each other in a small pouch..
Wish theres a smaller Nikon pancake lens..
I carry tht too, like tht I can stack with either a 24mmf2.8 or 50mm f1.8 on top of each other in a small pouch..
Wish theres a smaller Nikon pancake lens..
There's the voigtlanders. I have the 40mm f2 and the 20 3.5. They are really small and sharp.
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kitaro9202
Senior Member
for me i use tokina 17-35mm voigtlander 40mm f2 and voigtlander 90mm f3.5
becuase these 3 is i always use
becuase these 3 is i always use
Cheesecake
Senior Member
lucroit system for ur 14-24, instead of Lee.
macadphotos
Member
Tried all kinds of combi, thought I should share my exp. Weight is of utmost importance for travel so I try to take minimal gear (that I can manage comfortably. YMMV)
-----All Prime-------
35mm 1.4 sig, 50mm 1.4 sig, 85mm 1.8 nik
35 or 50 most of the time, prefer the 50 for people shots since I don't have to get too close,
35 to get a little more environment. I would still prefer it a little wider if possible. (But the quality of this lens beats nikon's 17-35mm hands down)
85 is for the occasional tele, but even then its not sufficient.
Note that the Sigma prime lenses are generally heavier than nikon lenses. you will probably do just as well with Nikon's 35mm f2 and 50mm f/1.8g
If I have enough $, will wanna try 14mm 2.8 (rokinon), 35 or 50mm 1.4 an 135mm f2 to cover more of the extremes.
------All Zoom------
17-35 2.8 nik, 70-200 4 nik
Versatile, 17-35 for the environment, architecture, food, portrait, pretty much everything, 70-200 for events or areas that you can't get close to (parades festivities etc.)
I do find myself wishing for more bokeh, so a 50mm will fill in the focal length gap and bokeh gap nicely.
70-200 f4 is much lighter than the 2.8 btw.
(I have not tried using just the 24-70 alone, don't own it...)
----Just 1 lens------
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
You don't need me to tell you why a 50mm. All I can say is, I have not found a 50mm for nikon dslr that is super sharp wide open, focuses fast and accurately and renders beautiful bokeh, all in one lens. But nonetheless, a 50mm is the MOST versatile lens imo.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4
I found a fantastic lens for 35mm that is sharp, focus fast and has good bokeh, but it is a little too wide for street portrait, a little narrow for landscape (for my style at least)
Nikon 17-35mm
Its.... a love and hate. I love the UWA perspective at 17mm, and 35mm f/2.8 does allow some close and personal shots with decent bokeh. But I do end up cropping a lot of my shots just to get the perspective I want. And I do wish for something with better IQ (Just my experience. Defenders of nikon UWA, don't get mad at me).
Tips:
1.Weight is of utmost importance. Bring only what is necessary.
2.Know your style and bring what works for you. Think about what you want to shoot at the destination, or what you like to shoot.
Sadly, in my case, there are times when I want to be a paparazzi, times when I want a super wide perspective, and times when I just want a nice bokeh. so I end up bringing ~3 lenses for travel. I also dislike intruding pple's personal space, so I prefer something longer if I wanna take more street portraits.
3.AutoPanoGiga
Use this to your advantage. If you have only a 50mm like me but want to take a wide landscape, just stitch them up lo. It may take some time to process, but you will get a wide AND super high res photo
3.Flash, tripod, lightmodifier
I seldom use the tripod, though when I do, I am thankful i brought it. But not worth the weight. Same for lightmodifiers and flash. But if you must bring a portable set up, one double fold umbrella, one tripod (to double as a light stand) and an umbrella adapter is probably the lightest off camera set up you can carry arnd.
For something even lighter, I suggest a 60cm 5in1 reflector. Its so light, so useful for food photography, and in a hot country, it doubles a very powerful fan (I kid you not).
Cheers
-----All Prime-------
35mm 1.4 sig, 50mm 1.4 sig, 85mm 1.8 nik
35 or 50 most of the time, prefer the 50 for people shots since I don't have to get too close,
35 to get a little more environment. I would still prefer it a little wider if possible. (But the quality of this lens beats nikon's 17-35mm hands down)
85 is for the occasional tele, but even then its not sufficient.
Note that the Sigma prime lenses are generally heavier than nikon lenses. you will probably do just as well with Nikon's 35mm f2 and 50mm f/1.8g
If I have enough $, will wanna try 14mm 2.8 (rokinon), 35 or 50mm 1.4 an 135mm f2 to cover more of the extremes.
------All Zoom------
17-35 2.8 nik, 70-200 4 nik
Versatile, 17-35 for the environment, architecture, food, portrait, pretty much everything, 70-200 for events or areas that you can't get close to (parades festivities etc.)
I do find myself wishing for more bokeh, so a 50mm will fill in the focal length gap and bokeh gap nicely.
70-200 f4 is much lighter than the 2.8 btw.
(I have not tried using just the 24-70 alone, don't own it...)
----Just 1 lens------
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
You don't need me to tell you why a 50mm. All I can say is, I have not found a 50mm for nikon dslr that is super sharp wide open, focuses fast and accurately and renders beautiful bokeh, all in one lens. But nonetheless, a 50mm is the MOST versatile lens imo.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4
I found a fantastic lens for 35mm that is sharp, focus fast and has good bokeh, but it is a little too wide for street portrait, a little narrow for landscape (for my style at least)
Nikon 17-35mm
Its.... a love and hate. I love the UWA perspective at 17mm, and 35mm f/2.8 does allow some close and personal shots with decent bokeh. But I do end up cropping a lot of my shots just to get the perspective I want. And I do wish for something with better IQ (Just my experience. Defenders of nikon UWA, don't get mad at me).
Tips:
1.Weight is of utmost importance. Bring only what is necessary.
2.Know your style and bring what works for you. Think about what you want to shoot at the destination, or what you like to shoot.
Sadly, in my case, there are times when I want to be a paparazzi, times when I want a super wide perspective, and times when I just want a nice bokeh. so I end up bringing ~3 lenses for travel. I also dislike intruding pple's personal space, so I prefer something longer if I wanna take more street portraits.
3.AutoPanoGiga
Use this to your advantage. If you have only a 50mm like me but want to take a wide landscape, just stitch them up lo. It may take some time to process, but you will get a wide AND super high res photo
3.Flash, tripod, lightmodifier
I seldom use the tripod, though when I do, I am thankful i brought it. But not worth the weight. Same for lightmodifiers and flash. But if you must bring a portable set up, one double fold umbrella, one tripod (to double as a light stand) and an umbrella adapter is probably the lightest off camera set up you can carry arnd.
For something even lighter, I suggest a 60cm 5in1 reflector. Its so light, so useful for food photography, and in a hot country, it doubles a very powerful fan (I kid you not).
Cheers
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wheresmycheese
Senior Member
Alot has been said but nothing beats the 17-35mm f2.8 Nikon. It's a beast but an alternative will be the lighter 17-35mm f2.8-4 tamron which I dearly love. Sharp in the center from f2.8 and only slightly soft at the corners it's super light and is always in my camera.
Often my kit will consist of
17-35mm tamron, 50mm/1.8 Nikon & 180m/2.8 Nikon
Often my kit will consist of
17-35mm tamron, 50mm/1.8 Nikon & 180m/2.8 Nikon
diediealsomustdive
Senior Member
Really depends on your photography. People who do cityscape will have one preference, landscape another, street shooter another. If u want a one lens do all, either
(a) one wide to tele zoom, either (i) general zoom like 24-70, or (ii) longer zoom such as 28-105, 24-120, or (iii) super zoom 28-300. Your choice based on aperture, cost, weight, IQ, etc.
(b) one favorite "special lens" like 34/1.4, or whatever your favorite is. This is highly dependent on your style and what you like.
My one lens combi is 24-120, but could have been 24-85.
Usually I go with 3 lenses but that's OOT.
(a) one wide to tele zoom, either (i) general zoom like 24-70, or (ii) longer zoom such as 28-105, 24-120, or (iii) super zoom 28-300. Your choice based on aperture, cost, weight, IQ, etc.
(b) one favorite "special lens" like 34/1.4, or whatever your favorite is. This is highly dependent on your style and what you like.
My one lens combi is 24-120, but could have been 24-85.
Usually I go with 3 lenses but that's OOT.
hotchoco1ate
New Member
I'm probably the odd ball in this thread. During my recent photography trip to Myanmar, I brought 3 lenses. The 70-200 VR1, 85mm 1.4 Sigma, and the 24mm 1.4G. I used the 85mm for at least 95% of my shots, and only half of them were people shots. I realized I could use 85mm to shoot still life and street as well, it's just a matter of preference. I have a 50mm 1.8G as well, but it's too "normal" and short for my liking. Btw I shoot on a d700 in case anyone's wondering . So what lenses really depends on location and preference not just preference. If I were to go on a trip to Europe, it's unlikely my gear would be centered around my short tele (85mm), but rather an UWA or a useful prime (35mm). For Nikon users out there, there is a trick I use sometimes to get longer reach, and that is using the DX crop mode on D700, or any FF Nikon for that matter. Sure it drops in megapixel count, but it's likely that the quality is sufficient for net sharing .
Hope I helped!
Hope I helped!
saberlancer
Senior Member
I'll say really depends on your TRAVEL purpose, not really your photography..
If your purpose is photography, then by all means bring 70-200, 300mm whatever you fancy..
BUT if its a casual tour with family, etc, please check how they feel about it first lah..
If your purpose is photography, then by all means bring 70-200, 300mm whatever you fancy..
BUT if its a casual tour with family, etc, please check how they feel about it first lah..
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