Walk around lens for traveling

[Horoscope Fish]

I love that everyone jumped into lens recommendations (NAS anyone? LOL) without asking more what you want to do with the lens. Are you looking to use it for snapshots, family candids, vacation, indoors, outdoors. . . will you have time to compose, have a tripod/monopod, have a flash. . . is the travel a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. . .what are you trying to accomplish?

Maybe because "walk around vacation lens" seems to be enough information to work with? I mean, are there specific lenses for tripod/monopod use or vacation use vs. "once in a lifetime vacation" use? I think certain assumptions can be made based on the information provided and trying to pick the "perfect" lens for specific shots is a fool's errand unless you know in advance you're only going to be doing something specialized, like macro. Otherwise "walking around", I think it safe to say, translates into "general photography" of ones surroundings and so general lens recommendations are perfectly acceptable.

 

[Eduard]

Maybe because "walk around vacation lens" seems to be enough information to work with? I mean, are there specific lenses for tripod/monopod use or vacation use vs. "once in a lifetime vacation" use? I think certain assumptions can be made based on the information provided and trying to pick the "perfect" lens for specific shots is a fool's errand unless you know in advance you're only going to be doing something specialized, like macro. Otherwise "walking around", I think it safe to say, translates into "general photography" of ones surroundings and so general lens recommendations are perfectly acceptable.

Agreed but I think it also warrants discussion. If I'm visiting somewhere for the first and potentially only time, I'm bringing my best glass (e.g. Nikkor 17-55) regardless of weight. If I'm going to be on organized events (e.g. tours) or if weather is a concern where I won't have time or opportunity to change lenses or control pace, I'll bring a general purpose zoom (e.g. Nikkor 18-200). If I'm going somewhere with the family and only doing candid shots, I'll bring my V1. If I'm going somewhere that I've been before or may be scouting out, I might bring a general purpose lens or the V1 kit.

Personally I rarely bring a tripod or monopod on family vacations so I tend to bring faster lenses.

The OP didn't say if space, weight, convenience and/or available time were deciding factors. IMHO they can and should impact the discussion as much as lens features and capabilities.