lens for trip

[sammy888]

Just back from New York and London. With New York so muck city scene in tight quarters and tall buildings and then when it opens up in suburban areas ... lugging my Nikon 14-24mm and 24-70mm was a good choice to give me the cover I needed for my FX camera. Using a 70-200mm was not so crucial as I like to get in close thus I did not rush to get that lens til I got back to Singapore. But if you are on a budget and only want one lens I think anything like about 18-200mm ( or even 300m) would be great.

I also agree ifyou dont often get to go those far off places, best to invest in the right focal lengths to bring with you... even if it means a all in one zoom. Sharpness and all that is not so important as the fact that at least you capture scene you are not going to get back home. Great if you can afford a good glass but I think if it is memories you want glass not the issue but the focal lengths.

 

[alexljy]

I been to Europe well Italy only on a nikon 28-300mm and a 17-35mm from tamron. Depending on where you are, I find that in the closed up areas like the Vatican etc, the 28mm is not wide enough. Looking at your 3 choices, I would go with the 24-120 F4, it gives you a nice wide of 24mm, and I think 120mm feels sufficient most of the time.

 

[lenslust]

I'll stick with my trusty 17-35 f/2.8

 

[daredevil123]

very nice pictures sir, like the colors! I like the middle one the most, the one with a baby, did you use flash on it? Thanks.

Thank you sir. These pictures were all shot in ambient light.

 

[bruno84sg]

Daredevil: thanks for sharing. May I know which lens did u use?

 

[dniwkh]

IMHO, lugging an UWA FF is very tiring.

I used to have the 14-24mm on all my trips until the most recent one, I sold the 14-24mm for a NEX6+10-18mm.

I can't tell much difference in IQ between the NEX6 setup and my 14-24mm.

The nex6+10-18mm is SOOO MUCH lighter than the FF+14-24mm. It also has an articulated LCD allowing you to shoot much more easily at different angles. The slow AF of NEX6 is a non-issue for UWA.

One of the best decision I have ever made.

If you want a lens for your D600, I think a sigma 35mm f1.4 should be a great lens. I love the 35mm f1.4. I have the nikon version but I hear the sigma is better and cheaper...

An UWA is probably essential, but I think it is better to go with mirrorless UWA.

 

[daredevil123]

Daredevil: thanks for sharing. May I know which lens did u use?

On that particular trip I packed 16-35VR, 24-70 and 70-200vr2 with 2 bodies. It was a pure photo-trip, which means no holds barred with the best equipment. Primes are great, but for me, large aperture is not that big a deal, especially where content is more key for travel photos. I use my primes for other purposes.

But on a normal trip, I will usually just pack the D700, 16-35vr and 24-70. On family trips, I don't even bring a dslr. Just a PnS or the V1.

In the end, you need to gauge on your own, based on the trip you are going. Are you going to backpack? are you going around in some sort of transport where you can leave your bags and equipment? Or are mostly based in hotels? Is this a photography trip, or family trip, or business trip. How much will you be walking with your bags? how much walking with your camera gear only. Your traveling strategy also matters. I usually have a backpack for carrying gear from airport to airport to hotel. Once in a hotel, I switch bags and carry only the gear I need for that period before I come back to the car/hotel. modularize your carrying strategy. To do that, you need to get bags that can fold flat, and a good secure luggage where you can lock your extra gear in. A lot is based on your particular trip, that in the end, will determine the best way to pack and carry your gear.

 

[bruno84sg]

thanks for the advice. I'm going for honeymoon. Indeed, travel light is crucial but I also don't want to compromise on quality since is a rare chance. That's y i got myself a D600 despite having GF1.
I've decided on [Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G], [50mm f/1.8D] & [Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Lens]

By the way, anybody knows if it's cheaper to get the Tamron at Japan? Currently SGP selling at about S$1550 w/gst cash. N how about the warranty, international?