Another "which lens should I get" question...

[Knwilson]

Hello all,

Been lurking for awhile, but thought I would post my first question. I currently have the D5100 with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm "kit lenses". I also have a 35mm 1.8 prime (very cool lens). My questions is related to travel and the overall need for a 18-200+mm all-around lens.

I do a lot of traveling and would like to consolidate gear for the longer trips. I am currently dealing with the struggle between the sigma 18-250mm or the extra cash for the nikon 18-200. I am not going to ask for help deciding between them, rather should I even be considering one? Both the 35mm and 55-300mm have been awesome, so is it worth even considering the "travel" lens???

Interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks!!!

Kevin

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[WhiteLight]

I don't think you should be looking at any 'all purpose lens' cos the ones which you have are really good.
The 18-55 & the 55-300 are great lenses and unless you are looking for something really specific, don't see a need to get a 'all purpose lens'
One thing you must remember that when a lens covers a longer focal distance, the quality is lost naturally.

Besides, if you feel the 'kit lens' you have may not be good enough, you can't be any farther from the truth.

To cut it short, you have a very good collection of lens which should serve any type of photographic opportunity in day to day life...

Save your money!

 

[Phillydog1958]

Hello all,

Been lurking for awhile, but thought I would post my first question. I currently have the D5100 with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm "kit lenses". I also have a 35mm 1.8 prime (very cool lens). My questions is related to travel and the overall need for a 18-200+mm all-around lens.

I do a lot of traveling and would like to consolidate gear for the longer trips. I am currently dealing with the struggle between the sigma 18-250mm or the extra cash for the nikon 18-200. I am not going to ask for help deciding between them, rather should I even be considering one? Both the 35mm and 55-300mm have been awesome, so is it worth even considering the "travel" lens???

Interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks!!!

Kevin

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Your 2 original kit lenses have your focal range covered. I would not buy another lens that I've already got "Focally" covered, unless it was an upgrade in lens. Have you considered an upgrade in "Wide-angle," since you enjoy travel? There are some great wide-angle lenses out there.

 

[Knwilson]

You're 2 original kit lenses have your focal range covered. I would not buy another lens that I've already got "Focally" covered, unless it was an upgrade in lens. Have you considered an upgrade in "Wide-angle," since you enjoy travel? There are some great wide-angle lenses out there.

This is a great point and right inline with my thoughts and reason behind the post.

I guess I was thinking about consolidating the 2 lenses into a single lens to cover the 18-250mm range and then looking into additions lenses for specifics - wide angle, fisheye, macro, etc...

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[Knwilson]

One thing you must remember that when a lens covers a longer focal distance, the quality is lost naturally.
Save your money!

This is a great bit of information. I was unaware of this and figured the 18-200 or 18-250 would simply allow me to consolidate 2 lenses into 1 with "as good" if not better quality depending on the lens.

My original plan was to offload the kit lenses after the purchase to recoup the cost and have a single lens for the entire range. I don't want to lose too much quality however...

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[Rick M]

It sounds like you really want just one lens to travel with? If that's the objective over quality, then get the best one you can afford.

 

[turbobuick86]

Hello all,

Been lurking for awhile, but thought I would post my first question. I currently have the D5100 with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm "kit lenses". I also have a 35mm 1.8 prime (very cool lens). My questions is related to travel and the overall need for a 18-200+mm all-around lens.

I do a lot of traveling and would like to consolidate gear for the longer trips. I am currently dealing with the struggle between the sigma 18-250mm or the extra cash for the nikon 18-200. I am not going to ask for help deciding between them, rather should I even be considering one? Both the 35mm and 55-300mm have been awesome, so is it worth even considering the "travel" lens???

Interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks!!!

Kevin

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I currently have the exact lenses you do and I'm shopping for an 85mm 1.8. Not sure I need it either, but it would seem the 50 or 60mm would leave me wanting more length since I already have the 35.

 

[TedG954]

I don't think you should be looking at any 'all purpose lens' cos the ones which you have are really good.
The 18-55 & the 55-300 are great lenses and unless you are looking for something really specific, don't see a need to get a 'all purpose lens'
One thing you must remember that when a lens covers a longer focal distance, the quality is lost naturally.

Besides, if you feel the 'kit lens' you have may not be good enough, you can't be any farther from the truth.

To cut it short, you have a very good collection of lens which should serve any type of photographic opportunity in day to day life...

Save your money!

Perfect! :applouse:


OP............ if it's just a case of wanting to throw away money, I'll send my address.

 

[Michael J.]

I travel a lot. I tested the 18-200 and it was great but no needs at all cos the 18-55 and the 55-300 on my D5100 were great.

I just updated to a 16-85 cos I saw that the 2mm more are great for cities and some of my needs.

I have got the 50mm 1.8 it does a great job for night shots as well as the 40mm for my walk-around at the market.

But as I said, the 18-55 served me very well at nights also great.

 

[WhiteLight]

Perfect! :applouse:


OP............ if it's just a case of wanting to throw away money, I'll send my address.

Lol.. That's a much better way of conveying the message

 

[Phillydog1958]

I travel a lot. I tested the 18-200 and it was great but no needs at all cos the 18-55 and the 55-300 on my D5100 were great.

I just updated to a 16-85 cos I saw that the 2mm more are great for cities and some of my needs.

I have got the 50mm 1.8 it does a great job for night shots as well as the 40mm for my walk-around at the market.

But as I said, the 18-55 served me very well at nights also great.

The 16-85 is an excellent travel lens. It's not as long as you might want, but it's worth the loss in length.

 

[fotojack]

You have the 18-55 and the 55-300. If you put the total focal lengths together, it covers 18-300. There is one lens that does that....the 18-300, but it's about $1,000.


For a walk around/vacation lens, I'd like to suggest to you the 18-105mm VR AF-S. Lightweight, covers a lot of ground, and it's inexpensive compared to the other lenses.

 

[Knwilson]

Thanks for all the responses. I am really glad I asked the question, but now my heads spinning again. It would be nice to lighten the load with a single lens, but I definitely am not trying to throw money away. If I did consolidate down to a single 18-250 I would sell the other two lenses to offset the cost (possibly completely cover the cost).

I really liked the idea previously recommended to get a wide angle instead. This is something else I never thought about, but sounds like a great idea based on types of shots I often find myself capturing.

At the end of the day, I guess i just don't want to be hauling around 4-6 lenses. Just feel like I am asking for trouble (damage, theft, etc...).

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[Marcel]

This is a great bit of information. I was unaware of this and figured the 18-200 or 18-250 would simply allow me to consolidate 2 lenses into 1 with "as good" if not better quality depending on the lens.

My original plan was to offload the kit lenses after the purchase to recoup the cost and have a single lens for the entire range. I don't want to lose too much quality however...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Are the shots that you will miss because you don't have the right lens on at the right moment more important than the quality difference?

Are you earning money with your camera and lenses?

You are the only one that can answer these questions and make the right choice for you.

Me, my DX travel kit consist of a D7000, 18-200, 35 1.8 and Sigma 10-20 WITH a monopod.

 

[riverside]

Thanks for all the responses. I am really glad I asked the question, but now my heads spinning again. It would be nice to lighten the load with a single lens, but I definitely am not trying to throw money away. If I did consolidate down to a single 18-250 I would sell the other two lenses to offset the cost (possibly completely cover the cost).

I really liked the idea previously recommended to get a wide angle instead. This is something else I never thought about, but sounds like a great idea based on types of shots I often find myself capturing.

At the end of the day, I guess i just don't want to be hauling around 4-6 lenses. Just feel like I am asking for trouble (damage, theft, etc...).

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Having been engaged in heavy travel I completely understand your desire to eliminate excess baggage and the appeal of a single lens. I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced seemingly endless airports and hotels can grasp how irritating and inconvenient "extras" can become. Most major camera/lens retailers offer a 30-day return period. Try an 18 to whatever mm of your choice and see what you think. If it doesn't produce the quality you feel your skills warrant, return it.

 

[Knwilson]

Are the shots that you will miss because you don't have the right lens on at the right moment more important than the quality difference?

Are you earning money with your camera and lenses?

You are the only one that can answer these questions and make the right choice for you.

Me, my DX travel kit consist of a D7000, 18-200, 35 1.8 and Sigma 10-20 WITH a monopod.

Having the correct lens is important, but my skill level isn't at the point where I even know which lens is needed for what...

I do not make money with my camera. All pictures are just for capturing memories or family events and holidays. Usually stored as digital scrapbooks with the occasional hard copy. Never blown up to large print (at least not to this point).

I do like your lens lineup. I have the 35 and have been checking out the 10-20. I might try to sell the kit lenses for the 18-250 and stick with three lenses as well.

Kevin

 

[Knwilson]

Having been engaged in heavy travel I completely understand your desire to eliminate excess baggage and the appeal of a single lens. I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced seemingly endless airports and hotels can grasp how irritating and inconvenient "extras" can become. Most major camera/lens retailers offer a 30-day return period. Try an 18 to whatever mm of your choice and see what you think. If it doesn't produce the quality you feel your skills warrant, return it.

Another great piece of info I was not aware of. I have always purchased online. I guess I could purchase and return within 30 days if not in love.

Thanks again for all the opinions and advice everyone.

Next trip is Portugal. First time there and no real plan of what I will be shooting. I imagine a bunch of street/city, portrait/candid and maybe some landscapes.?.

 

[Hairsy]

I have the Sigma 18-250 lens and am really pleased with it. It is quite possible that the ultimate quality is lower than if I had a multiple lenses covering the range but my skills are far exceeded by what I have so there's no real issue for me.

I've had multiple lenses in the past and am so pleased to have now gone down the single lens route. I get so many more photos. I was sat on a coach through Cuba a few days ago and kept switching from wide 'scene' type photos to zoomed pictures of people, cars, etc. Without the single lens, I would probably have left the camera in the bag.

 

[Knwilson]

Sold the kit lenses over the past few days and pulled the trigger today on the Sigma 18-250mm. Also decided to get the 10-20mm as well. Now I have the walk-around/travel lens, a fun ultra-wide to get creative with and the 35mm prime for indoor/low-light stuff.

Thanks for the responses and input!!!

 

[fotojack]

Sold the kit lenses over the past few days and pulled the trigger today on the Sigma 18-250mm. Also decided to get the 10-20mm as well. Now I have the walk-around/travel lens, a fun ultra-wide to get creative with and the 35mm prime for indoor/low-light stuff.

Thanks for the responses and input!!!

Nice setup for travel! Now don't forget to get a monopod..and bring it with you on your trip!