Travel lens for Full Frame

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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Planning to go on a family vacation here in Asia this June. I would like to limit my lens choice to just one that can cover just about everything. Between the lenses that I currently have, which one would you choose? This is the time where I wish I still had the Nikon 24-120mm f4 VRII. :confused:

D800E, SB 900 with

a. Nikon 16-35mm f4 VRII
b. Nikon 28mm f1.8G
c. Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
 
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stmv

Senior Member
depends,, are you planning any landscape,, or mostly people? I personally would pick the 16-35, and then pick up for 120 dollars a 50mm 1.8 that slides in a pocket. I tend to use my 24-85 quite a bit when I travel, and I pack a 15mm on a belt pocket for those wide angle, or a 20mm 2.8 prime.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Pros and cons between the two are the f stop difference, range in focal length and weight.

It is mostly to capture family outing and a little bit of landscape.
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
Of the three I'd choose the 24-70. I love my 16-35 but if I could only bring one lens on a big trip I just don't think it would cover the range I'd be looking for.
 
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jwstl

Senior Member
None of those choices "cover just about everything" but the 24-70 is closest. It's wide and slighty tele and fast enough to get some low light shots.


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eurotrash

Senior Member
if you can afford it, the 24-70 f2.8 would be my choice. I'm saving for one now.
It's the most versatile great in low light and you will likely never need to upgrade. It will replace countless primes and its an amazing looking piece of glass. Take a faster prime as well, possibly a 50 1.4 with you and you're ALL set.

Remember, you can always shoot a panorama at 24mm if you need wider coverage (24 on FF is wide anyhow!) and if you need to get closer, you could probably do that. I feel like everything in Asia is pretty condensed so you won't have issues reaching out and touching a subject with the 70mm reach. my opinion of course. Just don't take a bag full of crap, it'll weigh you down and start to annoy you quick! :p
 
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BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
If these are your only choices, 24-70mm is the one I'd take. 16-35mm next, but it would depend on where I was going. The extra wide probably won't buy you a lot, but if you're doing more in town/city things it may serve you better. But I'd need to be doing a LOT of in town stuff to bring that over the 24-70mm.
I'm on the hunt to reacquire a 28-300mm for these situations. The only time I could see using it is family vacations. For your purposes the 24-120mm might be the better fit, but you're not looking to add. If you don't want weight, grab the 24-85mm for travel.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
First of all, thank you for your sound advices. Just for clarification, I do have all three lenses already. I do not intend to buy any additional prime lenses such as the 50mm f1.8G, although it is affordable, I think this is more of a redundancy with the 24-70mm f2.8 covering that range already.

The reason that I included the 28mm f1.8G is that with my D800E, I can use it in full frame, 1.2x and 1.5x (DX) mode and still get approx. 15mp of resolution. It is light weight and is very good with low light. Not bad if you are walking around all day unlike lugging the 24-70mm f2.8 which is around 900 grams.

The reason why I wanted the 16-35mm f4 is that one of the stops is a white sandy beach resort. That's when the ultra wide angle becomes more ideal since I will not be bringing a tripod with me. Luggage will be limited which is why I am trying to choose the best all around lens. The images will be mostly with wife and kids.
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
I love my 24-70mm but I've carried around for days at a time and it gets mighty heavy after a full day of holding it up to your face.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Dave_W said:
I love my 24-70mm but I've carried around for days at a time and it gets mighty heavy after a full day of holding it up to your face.
Click to expand...

That's one of the consideration that I was thinking Dave. Following my wife as she shops around the entire day will make me wish that I should have brought a point and shoot camera. ;)
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
High ISO noise on the D800 is good enough that if you find yourself "needing" to shoot at f2.8 you can boost it a notch and use the 16-35. Since it covers the 28mm territory (you can just as easily do you cropped frame - but why? go ahead and crop when you get home) then I think your decision comes down to 1 factor - do you want to carry that weight? You know what the Beatles said!!
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
gqtuazon said:
The reason why I wanted the 16-35mm f4 is that one of the stops is a white sandy beach resort. That's when the ultra wide angle becomes more ideal since I will not be bringing a tripod with me. Luggage will be limited which is why I am trying to choose the best all around lens. The images will be mostly with wife and kids.
Click to expand...

Since you are concerned about the weight of the 24-70mm, I'd suggest taking the 16-35mm and utilizing its wide angle capabilities. Close up shots of the family's faces may not the type of photos you take with it, but after seeing some of your work, I'll bet you would rock with the 16-35mm!
 
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Geoffc

Senior Member
We're planning a trip next year and I'll have a similar dilemma. Like Jake I'll probably be looking at the 28-300 as the 24-120 might be a little short. It would probably only be a vacation lens though which makes me question if its the right thing to spend my funds on.
 
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Sambr

Senior Member
Glenn look for an old 28-105 3.5-4.5 it has virtually no distortion it's light works great on my D800 & bonus has 1to1 macro great all round lens. The best feature is you can find them on EBay or camera stores for $250.00
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
I might end up with the 24-70mm f2.8 and just suck it up on the weight.

I value getting the image quality more than compromise the other factors. I guess that is the main reason why I kept it over the other lens.

I just need to be a little bit more cautious when lugging a D800E, 24-70mm f2.8 and a SB 900 since that tends to attract some attention on some countries. Snatchers can sneak at anytime if you don't pay attention.
 
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