Lens

I am a relative newbie not only to the D3100 but to photography. I would like to ask about my lenses. I have a kit lens 18-55 and a 55-200. Also a 50mm D lens. I am off on holiday soon and want to take my camera but only 1 lens. Which one is a general all rounder. We are going hiking and hope to see a lot of nature. Thanks in advance for your advice.

​Maureen

Maureen59 said:

I am a relative newbie not only to the D3100 but to photography. I would like to ask about my lenses. I have a kit lens 18-55 and a 55-200. Also a 50mm D lens. I am off on holiday soon and want to take my camera but only 1 lens. Which one is a general all rounder. We are going hiking and hope to see a lot of nature. Thanks in advance for your advice.

​Maureen

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I would take the 18-55. It's a wide angle to very slightly telephoto which is what you typically want for landscapes. If you are more concerned with photographing wildlife, birds etc. then take the 55-200.

I second jwstl's advice.
The wider 18-55mm will give you the landscape pictures you want, but the 55-200mm will be better for wildlife.

The 50mm D won't autofocus on your D3100 by the way (in case you weren't aware)

I will add a third for the 18-55... same caveat... scenery, good to go, wildlife you would need to 55-200

Pat in NH

Just to be awkward I would go with the 55-200 as I have found you can always stitch multiple shots together to make a great landscape picture with software and have the zoom for wildlife. Or treat myself to an 18-300 sigma or similar so you have the best of all worlds.

​Have a nice holiday

theregsy said:

Just to be awkward I would go with the 55-200 as I have found you can always stitch multiple shots together to make a great landscape picture with software

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But difficult to do if you aren't using a tripod and, if the OP is traveling so light as to not want to carry 2 lenses, I doubt carrying a tripod is desired.

Nope, no tripod needed I always shoot freehand for this type of shooting when its outdoor and usually well lit then no I have no worries about shooting free.

Given those options I too would have to say 18-55mm.

I'd sure try to find a way to pack the 55-200mm though...

get a belt pouch,, and carry the 55-200 too, you will barely notice it,

stmv said:

get a belt pouch,, and carry the 55-200 too, you will barely notice it,

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That is what I would do and have done in the past. I now have a Lowepro Backpack that goes everywhere with me. I may leave it in the car and only carry one lens on the camera for a while, but I have the option of which lens to put on for that outing. I have been known to shoot for a while with one lens and then go back to the car and change lenses and go back and shoot for a little while longer. But in your case a belt pouch is a great idea. I found a camcorder pouch that was just the right size to carry my 55-200 and it fit on my belt.
Whichever one you carry will turn out to be the wrong one. At least that is what always happens to me.

I have found you can always stitch multiple shots together to make a great landscape picture

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On the opposite scale, how about shooting using 18-55 and crop & magnify to make it like taken with zoom?

Out of the 3, I'd take the 18-55 as it is most general purpose lens.

For travel photography, you might want to buy any of these lenses based on your budget.

• Tamron 18-200 (on a shoestring budget)
• Tamron 18-270 VC PZD or Sigma 18-200 DC II or Sigma 18-250
• Nikon 18-200 (very pricey)

Thanks Guys, looks like I will have to take both. Need to buy a backpack. I know the 50mm doesnt autofocus but I thought I would never learn if all my lenses were autofocus. One day I would like to take a shot where I set everything myself ( a long way off). It was on offer so I thought why not. The site is great and the advice very welcome. Thank You.

​Maureen

If you can fit it into your budget, get yourself an 18-105 VR lens. Versatile and an excellent walk around lens for vacations. Just another option.

However, as previously suggested, stick with the 18-55 for now and yes...do take along the 55-200. This way, you cover the 18 to 200 mm focal range.

While I am on the subject of lenses, can someone advise me on a macro lens? I have a raynox dcr250 just to try out macro but would eventually like a proper lens that will autofocus.
Thanks, all the way from a rainy UK!
​Maureen

Maureen59 said:

While I am on the subject of lenses, can someone advise me on a macro lens? I have a raynox dcr250 just to try out macro but would eventually like a proper lens that will autofocus.
Thanks, all the way from a rainy UK!
​Maureen

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Easiest way to find out is to Google "Nikon Macro Lenses". There's a plethora of information on the subject.

My personal favourite macro lens is the Nikon 85mm Macro. Others like the 105 macro. It's a matter of preference really, and what you want to take macro pictures of.

Hope you find the one you like.