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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Nikon Lens Advice Please
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06/04/2015 04:32:12 PM · #1
I am planning a three week trip to India at the end of the year and was struggling with what lens to take. A colleague suggested I buy a 18-200mm (macro) which sounds as though it would cover everything I needed in just one lens. Was wondering what the wider audience thought, taking into account:

-I only have an entry-level Nikon 3100
- I have three lens already; macro 60mm (Nikon), standard 18-55mm (Nikon), and 70-300mm (Sigma).
- I'm pretty broke!
- I'm not sure that top of the range would make any difference but need all the help I can get!
- Have found Tamron (£121), Sigma (£239) and Nikon (£329) - all new
- I don't want to miss/corrupt the photo opportunity of a lifetime for want of weight/ cost!

I suppose I'm trying to decide whether I am prepared to carry weight and switch lens as required versus an 'all-round' solution. Any advice would be welcomed.

06/04/2015 04:44:25 PM · #2
It depends on what you are planning on photographing...if it is more landscape and indoor (churches...etc) I would go with a 12-24mm or even lower...that way you can get the wide angle. You have the upper end covered for anything in the distance. But you don't have the lower end covered (IMHO)...

When I went to Paris, I used my 12-24mm, 18-270mm & 70-300mm lens...didn't use anything else.
06/04/2015 05:26:43 PM · #3
I often think of my 18-200 as being exactly that... a vacation lens. It's not as sharp as my best lenses by any means, but in cases where I don't want to drag along a large amount of gear, it's great to be able to go that wide and that far with the same lens.
06/04/2015 05:26:54 PM · #4
That's a tough one. When I traveled to China with my Nikon D5100, I took both my 18-55 and 70-300. I don't think I took a macro - I don't think I had a macro at the time. If you can swing some sort of backpack or camera bag that has some 'purse' type space for your wallet and then a dedicated space for the camera/charger, then the multiple lenses should be too much of an issue. The weight did not bother me much in China, and I walked quite a bit each day.

For me when traveling, I find the normal and wide angle lenses more critical since my eyes are taking in such different whole scenes.

I have switched to Fuji but am taking a 10-24mm, 18-70 mm, and 55-200 mm to Alaska. I'm not all that convinced I need the reach the of the 200mm. But just in case there is wildlife, at least I might get some sort of shot.
06/04/2015 05:43:44 PM · #5
The 18-200 is a great lens, as long as you get a good copy.

It seems to me an indoor wide angle lens would be something important. The Sigma 10-20 F3.5-5.6 might do the trick for not a lot of cash. The Nikon ultra is a better lens, but more money.

For architecture, which I would think would be plentiful in India, I love my fisheye...you could pick up a Samyang/Rokinon manual fisheye for Nikon for pretty cheap.

And that's pretty much my D7100 travel kit: 18-200, Sigma 10-20mm, and the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye.

(Now I'm downsizing even more to the Fuji though like Jules!)
06/05/2015 12:43:53 PM · #6
I had the Nikon 18-200 for a while and was very happy with it. I only traded it because I wanted the Sigma 17-70 Contemporary, otherwise I'd still be using it. However, if being broke is one of your criteria, then I would say that you probably have sufficient capability with your current lenses as is. You can do a lot with that range. If you're willing to take the hit, then I'd recommend the Nikon - it seemed sharper to me when I tried the same 3 lenses.
06/05/2015 01:55:52 PM · #7
It's a great question because I know more-and-more large-sensor point-n-shoots are the choice for travelers. Of course, finding the right one of those is likely an even tougher question than what lens to get.

You can look at my profile for lenses I have have experience with / can recommend. They are relatively inexpensive. The 18-200 I was not a big fan of. Once you've shot wide open on a 2.8 or 1.4, it's tough to not have that option.

Another option if you want to go high-end would be to rent a lens (and maybe even a body). Maybe a Nikon 17-55 2.8.
THere are web-sites that do that as well as camera shops.
06/05/2015 11:16:04 PM · #8
Since you have plenty of time before your trip, take your current gear and go out and shoot local scenes in the manner that you would want to shoot when you're in India.
That way, you will have a pretty good idea of what you will be needing in order to have the right combination of long and wide.
My guess is that you will be wanting a very wide, like a 12-24 to cover the situations where you are in close quarters and can't back away from the subjects to get the whole scene.
There is something about a super wide lens that gives street shooting a nice, personal, up close look as well.
They also make a 3 lens kit for phone cams now, that just clip on the phone, and they are light & small.
06/06/2015 03:28:29 AM · #9
Speak with Sarah - Salmiakki - she shoots Nikon, and has made repeated trips to India. There are some super photos in her portfolio.
06/06/2015 04:02:11 AM · #10
Sell it all and buy Canon otherwise all your shots will be out of focus ;-p
06/06/2015 01:12:21 PM · #11
Thanks to all of you for your really useful and thoughtful advice (and to Salmiakii for her inspiring shots). I still have a few months in which to decide (and if necessary, save up!). I like the idea of practicing with what I've already got; a really sensible idea. I could amuse you all with shots of British stately homes entitled 'Delhi Palace' or a Tabby Cat called 'Tiger'? Maybe I could find some elephants in Wiltshire..... ?

Lots of food for thought and I'll let you know the outcome. Hopefully I may even get a few half decent images for the site.

Off to practice......

:-)

P.S. The best camera in the world is unlikely to resolve my focus issues :-)
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