What one lens to carry for pleasure travel

churin

I want to carry only one lens with Nikon D810 for pleasure travel not solely for photography. What lens do you recommend? I take pictures of landscape, portraiture, flower, wild animal , etc. What I have in mind presently is Tamron version of 28-300mm because it is much lighter than Nikon version and overall performance is reportedly comparable to Nikon version.

Vipmediastar_JZ

For

I take pictures of landscape, portraiture, flower, wild animal , etc. .

Probably the Nikon 24-70 or equivalent/Otherwise a Prime like the 50mm or 85mm (I have done a few landscapes with the 85mm and some zoo shots with the 85mm.)

Since weight might be an issue I would not recommend the 70-200 but you already have the 28-300 so that may not be an option for you unless you upgrade ( I have no expereince with your lens).

churin

No, I do not have 28-300 yet. I can tolerate the weight if it is Nikon 70-200mm f4. But the zooming range is much narrower.

tganiats

Such a tough question as it depends on your style, camera, subject, and what is 'pleasure.' I like wide angle for such pleasure. I love telephoto. I end up with the Nikon 24-120 most of the time. I crop on the D800 image to 'simulate' a telephoto (I know; it's not the same, but the 36 MP allows me to pretend), and the 24 is wide enough for most of what I want). Sure, I carry wider and longer when I'm serious, but if I carry one lens, it's the 24-120 most of the time. I don't like the slowness (f/4), but it has vibration reduction for static subjects.

churin

"Pleasure" means for me include sight seeing, visiting friends and relatives. I have the 24-120 but thought one which has more zoom range to far side may be more preferable. Maybe I might as well use cropping instead.

Vipmediastar_JZ

No, I do not have 28-300 yet. I can tolerate the weight if it is Nikon 70-200mm f4. But the zooming range is much narrower.

Sorry, lack of reading comprehension.

churin

Sorry, lack of reading comprehension.

Maybe my writing was not readable since English in not my mother tongue either.

sevencrossing

". I have the 24-120 .

This my "Holiday" lens and as you will have discovered, produces excellent results

The 28-300mm has quite a few disadvantages

It is not as wide, so not so good for landscapes
it will not be as sharp
focusing may not be as quick
VR may not be as good
build quality will not be as good
The 24 -120 remains an f4 lens for its entire range, the 28 -300 will stop down to f6.3 faster than you think

Only you know if the above are important

You have one of the best cameras in the world

and the 14 -120 is one of the best mid range zooms

why compromise ?

Ironheart

The Tammy isn't available yet in the US, where do you live? Also, is weight your primary concern, or is it focal length?

WestEndBoy

If it was me I would bring the 16-35 F4 and the 58 1.4 for low light/portraits. The 50 1.4 would be a compromise if I could not bring the 58.

I know that I have recommended two lenses, but I cannot bring myself to compromise image quality more than that. The 58 is small. The 50 is even smaller.

If I was really restricted to one lens, it would be the best 50 mm prime I could lay my hands on. Maybe the new Sigma.

Killerbob

My go-to for trips is one of two, the 14-24mm or the 24-70mm. I simply do not need the zoom unless it specifically is a trip to the zoo or other event specific thing. The 24-70mm is probably my most used lens!

Your marvelous D810 is so good you can crop afterwards...

Vipmediastar_JZ

Sorry, lack of reading comprehension.

Maybe my writing was not readable since English in not my mother tongue either.

Nope it's my fault "What I have in mind presently is Tamron version of 28-300mm "
I read "What I have is Tamron version."

Next week I'm going on a road trip the 24-70 made the list and im complentating the 85mm 1.8g or 70-200 2.8. if I had a 105 or a 135 one of those would be my second choice for the reach.

I would take a second lens for backup in case one falls and breaks.

itsnotmeyouknow

If funds allow - the 24 - 70 and the 70 - 200 f/4. the 70 - 200 f/4 is for me the sharper of the two. Otherwise I would suggest the 24 - 120 f/4 which will cover most things and be a lens you will keep using after.

Msmoto

As some know, I like a prime… so, D800E in DX crop mode, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art……
However, in my bag, I will have a couple others as I am headed out to Palm Desert, California, for a few days, then to Colorado, and home.

Might shoot some photos along the way.

donaldejose

The Nikon 28-300 is lots of lenses in one although you are losing IQ compared to a bag full of primes. I like using mine when I want to be prepared for anything and I am willing to sacrifice the great sharpness the body is able to deliver. Why Nikon over Tamron? For me it is about safety of future compatibility. Unless the third party lens is so clearly superior in a very important way (such as the sharpness of the Sigma Art series) one runs the risk of the third party lens having issues with future Nikon bodies while Nikon will insure the compatibility of its lenses with future bodies. Many of us are going to change bodies every 3 to 5 years but will keep lenses for decades.

Hval

One lens to rule them all, One lens to to outshine them them; One lens to focus them all
and in the darkness bind them.

BabaGanoush

On my last trip out of state I took my D800 with my 24-120mm f/4 + 70-300mm AF-S. Decent IQ and yet not too heavy to schlep around all day. On my last trip out of country, I left my D800 at home. Instead I took my M43 camera (Panasonic G6 + 14-140mm zoom = 28-280mm FF equivalent), although this year I'll be traveling out of country with a Sony RX-10 + Sony A6000, giving up Nikon IQ in return for less bulk and fewer regrets should I accidentally drop my camera overboard into the ocean.

tcole1983

Well I am shooting DX, but my one lens I brought on my current trip with me is my 17-55 or 24-70 equivalent for FX. Not having the lens I might lean towards the 24-120, but it really depends. I am on work and wanted to bring some camera, but didn't want to lug lots of lenses and didn't have the room...so I just threw my camera in my carry on with my 17-55. Kind of all purpose. Won't be good if I see animals, but didn't expect it. If I thought I might run into a certain condition or situation I might be more inclined to bring additional lenses. When I was in Chicago last week I took my whole bag. Although I messed around with several lenses I really shot my 17-55 most of the time anyway.

However if I was traveling for recreational purposes I would be more inclined to carry everything. When I am on work time I don't usually have the luxury of carrying everything and taking the time I do when traveling for fun.

henrik1963

My usual "do it all lens" is 24-70 2.8. It does most things very well. If I could only bring one lens that would be it.

But this year - as I went by car - I got a bag full of lenses. And in the morning I decided if I wanted the Sigma 1.4 Art or the Nikon 85 1.8G on the D800 for the day. I only used the 70-200 2.8 twice.

Having a prime lens on your camera forces you to think - forces you to move. And that is a good thing :-)

IF only one lens - 24-70
IF two lenses - 35 and 85 + a little footwork :-)

donaldejose

Sure, a prime makes you think and work and move and will give you better Image Quality. However, on my last quick trip my wife wanted nice shots for her Facebook page and I wasn't going to print any of them. So I took my D5100 and my 18-200 zoom. I did shoot many shots at both ends of the extreme: 18mm for castle interiors/beach scenics and 200mm for portraits which would isolate the person from the sand dunes in the background. The zoom allowed me to crop in camera from the best veiwpoint. My camera bag was small and light and I never had to change a lens. Just some examples of quick snaps while touring with the DX focal length (approximate FX in paranthesis) noted for comparison with the 28-300 FX lens.

18mm (28mm FX)


18mm (28mm)


24mm (35mm)


32mm (50mm)


44mm (66mm)


80mm (120mm)


105mm (158mm)


120mm (180mm)


Remember the original poster asked about one lens for pleasure travel not solely for photography. The versatility of a zoom cannot be beat if you are willing to sacrifice Image Quality.

tcole1983

@donaldejose I too appreciated the small package and versatility of my D5000 and 18-200. I also hit the limits on both sides often (18 and 200). I wanted a faster and higher quality lens so I went with the 17-55...later I got my 300 F4 for the longer end and it was for the purpose of wildlife. I still miss the large range of the 18-200 though. At times I wish I had it still. When I had to drive around for work I kept my camera in the seat next to me with my 18-200. It was so convenient to grab and jump out to get a landscape or animal picture. I love the versatility for that. All of my current lenses besides my 35 F1.8 are a bit hefty...I hate to carry most for long periods.

Golf007sd

My usual "do it all lens" is 24-70 2.8. It does most things many things very well. If I could only bring one lens that would be it.

Take one CPL and ND filter...then call me in the morning.

I. personally feel FX bodies, should have FX glass. Having said that, heartyfisher topic here does have some "food for thought."

tcole1983

I mentioned the 18-200 because of donalds post but I would refer it to something like the 28-300 he mentions for fx. Didn't mean to sound like I was promoting the 18-200 for fx use.

Golf007sd

tcole1983: I know where you are coming from....it is all good...cheers

P.S. I think now you get my meaning in not selling your gear :P

Bokeh_Hunter

I have the 24-120 f4 vr and what I found for travel this last winter, I really would have liked to have the 28-300vr instead. When it comes down to traveling (in all forms) when one does not have a planned shot in mind, desire to be as light as possible and are just wanting to capture whatever they encounter, that is where the all-in ones thrive. They certainly have their limits and draw backs, but to be able to capture near to far with one lens can really make or break many shots. Getting a shot is better than missing one. Getting a shot with a lens with faults still will produce a better shot than with a great lens that you have to crop over 50%.

I have many other lenses that make up for an all-in one so it is easy to say I would get one if the time came up again. 2nd to the 28-300vr I would easily put the 24-120 f/4 vr. Following those, I would probably suggest one of the Nikon 1 series and a 10-100.

Hval

One lens and one lens only? Then it would be my 18-200mm.

Even my wife prefers that lens to all others. It is not a great lens in low light, so a monopod is needed or some sort of support. Despite having a load of quality lenses I have kept my 18-200mm purely because it is such a versatile lens. A lens that is good for holiday photographs.

Having written that, I am now looking at using the following as my holiday kit - Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 and Nikon 80-400mm (the new one). These two with a Gitzo monopod should do the trick. I don't know if I will take a flash even. I am also not sure if I would use a D300 or D800.