I'm going to Ireland for a week in August (Dublin and then who knows) and I want to bring nice photo gear because I don't know if and when I'll go back and I want to come home with quality photos. However, I also want to pack relatively lightly while keeping the most expensive gear at home in case something gets lost or stolen. I plan to buy an FX camera soon so I'm hesitant to buy a new DX lens but, all things considered, I think it's for the best. All I know right now is I'll take my D7000 along with the FX 70-300 VR (I like it on the D7000) and I'll leave at home the 18-55 that came with D7000 because I don't like it. That means I need a wide to slightly telephoto zoom as my second lens. So if you were going on a once in a lifetime trip and money were no object which lens would you get? I typically buy Nikon but if another brand would better fit my requirements I'm open.
I need a Travel Zoom DX Lens
- Thread starter jwstl
- Start date
Scott Murray
Senior Member
I am off to Africa soon and am taking these lenses, 90mm 2.8 macro, 50mm 1.4, 80-400mmvr, 16-35mmvr. Hope that helps 
I run a 24-85 nikkor on my D7000 as the walk around zoom, not as wide as the 18x55, but a nicer build.
Hope you throw in in 50mm prime 1.8 D for small low light inside of buildings.
I think if I was traveling to Ireland,, I would carry a 20mm, 35 mm, 50mm, and then one 70-300 zoom. I would want high quality primes for that once in lifetime trip, they are all so small, you can keep the lens in cargo pants pockets. That is what I do,, and if a bit chilly, I throw these
tiny primes in my coat pocket so lens switchout is fast.
Now I am talking the D lens, not the hunker huge G versions! since you have a 7000, no issue with the focus motor in camera issue.
ok ok,, and I would still have the 24-85 for when I want to be lazier and zoom, or would not have the time to switch lens.
you can also get rid of the 20/35 combo and go with the 28 D lens,
but, there might be times where you have to stitch photos together due to not having wide angle.
which is why when traveling, the FX format can work better. or you could get a sigma or whatever 10-20 for those beautiful Irish Fields with the stone fence,, broken down house,, grumpy farmer glaring at you (oh wait, that was my trip...laughs,, course, I took a Nikon FM2, 43-86 lens and that was ALL! besides a pile of slide film and pre-paid mailers which was so cool to get home, and have most of the pictures already developed).
Anyway,, it is the photographer,, that matters, one 24-85 lens, and you would be close to my original 43-86 days).
speaking of the 43-86,, if you get a version from the last two years, they are nice little zooms. and super super cheap,, because the rest of the photography world HATES THEM,, God Awful lens, worst lens EVERRR!!... laughs, so you can pick them up for like 10 dollars.
Hope you throw in in 50mm prime 1.8 D for small low light inside of buildings.
I think if I was traveling to Ireland,, I would carry a 20mm, 35 mm, 50mm, and then one 70-300 zoom. I would want high quality primes for that once in lifetime trip, they are all so small, you can keep the lens in cargo pants pockets. That is what I do,, and if a bit chilly, I throw these
tiny primes in my coat pocket so lens switchout is fast.
Now I am talking the D lens, not the hunker huge G versions! since you have a 7000, no issue with the focus motor in camera issue.
ok ok,, and I would still have the 24-85 for when I want to be lazier and zoom, or would not have the time to switch lens.
you can also get rid of the 20/35 combo and go with the 28 D lens,
but, there might be times where you have to stitch photos together due to not having wide angle.
which is why when traveling, the FX format can work better. or you could get a sigma or whatever 10-20 for those beautiful Irish Fields with the stone fence,, broken down house,, grumpy farmer glaring at you (oh wait, that was my trip...laughs,, course, I took a Nikon FM2, 43-86 lens and that was ALL! besides a pile of slide film and pre-paid mailers which was so cool to get home, and have most of the pictures already developed).
Anyway,, it is the photographer,, that matters, one 24-85 lens, and you would be close to my original 43-86 days).
speaking of the 43-86,, if you get a version from the last two years, they are nice little zooms. and super super cheap,, because the rest of the photography world HATES THEM,, God Awful lens, worst lens EVERRR!!... laughs, so you can pick them up for like 10 dollars.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
18-105mm
Or, you can buy my 28-300 and leave everything else home.
Or, you can buy my 28-300 and leave everything else home.
I have the the 24-85 AF-S which is really a fantastic lens but on the DX it isn't quite wide enough. I also have the 20, 24, and 28 2.8 Ds but it's the same problem as the 24-85: not wide enough.
I considered the 16-85 since I've read good things but I don't think it's fast enough. I'm also considering a used 17-55 2.8 but that one lacks VR. Anyone use the 17-55? Decisions, decisions.
I considered the 16-85 since I've read good things but I don't think it's fast enough. I'm also considering a used 17-55 2.8 but that one lacks VR. Anyone use the 17-55? Decisions, decisions.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Go the 16-35mmVR its a great lens.
Fred Kingston_RIP
Senior Member
What the hippie said... 28-300mm VR
the 16-35 is an interesting choice, but 1.5 lbs,, which could be tiresome after a while..
when I was in Europe last, I still had my D300, and well used the 18-200 zoom. also 2lbs, but gives you a really flexible range, and you would not have to carry the 70-200 lens.
so many choices,,, I thought you wanted a compact zoom, hence the 24-85,
but 18-105 or 18-200 would fill the bill, maybe the 18-105 better if you are carrying the big zoom. Nice two lens combo. I actually like having overlap, so you don't have to immediately switch from one lens to other, but you have this like gray zone... where either lens works.
when I was in Europe last, I still had my D300, and well used the 18-200 zoom. also 2lbs, but gives you a really flexible range, and you would not have to carry the 70-200 lens.
so many choices,,, I thought you wanted a compact zoom, hence the 24-85,
but 18-105 or 18-200 would fill the bill, maybe the 18-105 better if you are carrying the big zoom. Nice two lens combo. I actually like having overlap, so you don't have to immediately switch from one lens to other, but you have this like gray zone... where either lens works.
I still like my 16-85 for travel. It really does a bang up job of combining everything you want in a lens and a little bit more as well. It's awesome and probably the best investment I've made since my D7k.
If you bring that plus a 24 2.8, you're pretty set. Maybe throw a 35 1.8 in there just for good measure and the fact they weight nothing!
If you bring that plus a 24 2.8, you're pretty set. Maybe throw a 35 1.8 in there just for good measure and the fact they weight nothing!
Cowboybillybob1
Senior Member
I use a Tamron 18 - 270 mm f3.5 - 6.3 zoom and it is on my D7000 90% of the time. Great lens, nice and sharp, lightweight and much smaller than you might think. It is VR and AF. It's about $650 and a $100 mail-in rebate on top of that.
I think that lens and either a 35mm or 50mm 1.8 would do you fine.
I think that lens and either a 35mm or 50mm 1.8 would do you fine.
I may end up going with the the 16-85 since it's on sale right now. I like the range and the fact it has VR. It's not as fast as I'd like but I have some fast MF lenses I could bring for speed.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
This would be my two lens approach as well: A wide to medium zoom on the camera with a fast 35 or 50 at the ready and I'd be out the door.
KISS Method and all that.
Yes, I think you are on the right path, and you can always sell the 16-85 DX lens at a later date, buy it quick while the sale prices stay active.
and to mix it up,, if you really want to be cheap, buy a used 18-70 DX lens, a real bargain basement gem that is built way better than the current 18x55, built when Nikon entry lens were built tough.
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I have some old MF lenses that work very well on the D7000 when I have time to focus. I have an 85 1.4, 105 2.5, 180 2.8 ED, and my very favorite (beat up but works great) 50 1.2. The 50 I consider a speciality lens but for the right subject shot at 1.2 it's beautiful. Unfortunately, I find them all difficult to focus in my older age.
Renting is a good idea. Do you miss VR on the 17-55?
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