I’m heading to Asia for 3 months – can anyone recommend a good mix of lenses to take for my Nikon DSLR? I like to shoot pretty much anything – landscapes, architecture (old and modern), candid portraits, photojournalism-style shots in public places, night photos…
So far my mix includes the kit lens (17 – 55mm), a 50mm f1.4, and possibly a Sigma 10-20mm for wide angles. I don’t really want to take more than two lenses, though, because I am hoping to store all of my gear in a small inconspicuous shoulder bag that doesn’t scream “steal me”. So I’m thinking of leaving the kit lens at home, even though I am used to using it as a default in just about any situation. Am I going to miss the range it offers, or will the 10-20mm work as a default lens?
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I don’t do digital, so can’t offer any specific recommendations.
With that in mind, were I you, I would likely take the 10-22 and 50mm 1.4. I personally love wide angles, as well as low-light shots, which is why those two would be my choice. I will often go out with only a 20mm or 24mm on my film cameras, and if I had such a lens as you had, it would probably be one of my favorites.
My other inclination would probably be to pick up the 18-200 VR, if you can find one, and take that along with the 10-22. The 18-200 seems to get great reviews for what it is, and these two lenses would certainly cover you well.
Your 50mm is small enough, though, that I would personally take it along regardless of what other lenses I took. Most of the time, you’ll hardly know you’re carrying it around with its size and weight. When the light gets low, though, you’ll be glad you brought it along.
I’d take the 17-55, and if you think you’ll be in lots of low light, the 50mm. I use a 24-85 as a walk around lens on my F100 film camera, but I have been using the 18-135mm kit lens on the D80. It’s actually a fairly decent travel lens if you can ignore the distortion at the wide end. It’s fine outdoors, but inside it can be pretty noticeable.
If you really like WA, then the 10-20 might have to pack along as well.
Oh well, I overpack both my camera bag and my suitcase, what can I say?! Have a great trip.
Your best bet for a good general purpose lens is the 17-55mm zoom. Unless you’re expecting to shoot in some very low light situation, I would leave the 50mm at home, you basically have it covered the the 17-55mm. As for the 10-20mm, the question I have is, is the 10-16mm range that you don’t get from the 17-55mm going to give you enough of an edge to warrent taking it? Wide angle lenses are good for landscapes and architecture shots, buy they really aren’t much good for protraiture, wildlife, or, as you put it, “photojournalism-style shots in public places.” You really need some kind of telephoto to fill in there. You might want to consider taking a 75-200mm or a 70-300mm zoom. That would give you a reasonable portrait lens at 75mm; plus you would get a lens you can use to capture shots that for what ever reason you can get close enough to your subject to get any kind of reasonable detail.
If you only want two lenses, then I would go with the 17-55mm and get something arround the 75-200mm range. If you wanted to add a third lens, I would look at a 60mm micro lens, which will give you a better portrait lens plus give you some close-up shooting possibilities.
I would also look into getting a monopod which doubles as a walking staff. Something to help you while walking, and something you can use to steady your camera as you need to.
It does not matter what camera you own. A good combo to have is a 28-80mm and a 80-210mm. That is the best of the full range and can shoot just about everything. I have been all over asia. Japan, Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore. I love asian even my wife is from the Philippines. Dont take to many lens because you can lose them or have them stolen. So keep it simple.
Nihl_of_Brae seems to have as good a suggestion as any here. However, if I had your opportunity I would take a good long lens as well. You should be able to get so many good shots in that amount of time. Try to avoid the “tourists” shots.
Good question.
Two lenses?
Nikon 12-24, Nikon 28-105.
Your kit lens and the 50mm prime should be able to handle just about anything. They are a little short, so getting a 50-200mm VR or an 18-200mm VR with the 50 prime should cover just about everything.
Use the 17-55/50-200/18-200 for everything except for low light indoors and you should be OK.