Trading in 17-50mm Zoom for Primes for travel?

<p >I think a zoom is essential for travel. I use my Nikon AF-S DX 18-105. BUT I use my Sigma 30mm F1.4 when I need to shoot available light street scenes because I find the noise above 1600 ASA with the D300 is unacceptable. I also use my Nikon 50mm F1.4 as my prime museum lens. Great in these no flash situations and great for people photo’s too… (Effective focal length: 75mm).<br>

Rafi</p>

<p>i'm not sure if i made this clear, dan, but an 18-135 and a 50 is a pretty good lightweight travel kit right there.</p>

<p>you could add a 10.5/2.8 fisheye for wide shots and still have a fairly compact kit.</p>

<p>i would hold on to the tamron if i were you, though.</p>

<p>May I suggest a different approach--namely pick a camera bag first, then select the gear to fill it to an optimal level or weight. Optimal might mean the weight you can carry on your shoulder or back for a full 8 hours or more, without fatigue. In the days of film, that could be a Domke 803 satchel bag with a pair of OM slrs plus 4 primes (Zuiko 21F3.5, 28F2.0, 50F1.2 and 100F2.0). In my case, that's a Nikon D60, with 18-55VR, 35F1.8 and either the 55-200VR zoom or the new Tamron 60mm F2.0 macro lens--the selected bag for me being the medium (DR-467) Kata backpack camera bag.</p>

<p>As for primes, the new (and still not widely available) 35F1.8 is Nikon's ONLY DX prime amid a stupendous range of DX zoom lenses. Btw, the 35F1.8 was the SOLE reason I selected the Nikon D60 over the Panasonic G1. With the D80 and it's built in AF motor, you of course have a wider choice of Nikon FX AF primes.</p>

<p>I guess that zoom lenses have become so ubiquitous that many people don't even realize that there is such thing as a lens that only has one focal length, much less imagine what that might be good for. That's kind of a shame too, because I think learning to use a single focal length well hits somewhere in the top five for best ways to learn to see and to make good photography. Could even be in the number one spot. I wonder how all of those greatest of the great photographers managed to make all of those famous photographs without the benefit of a 70-200 2.8 VR AFS ED EX DG? No way could all that have been done with only a mere 35 or 50mm lens. Or could it be that one can learn to work within those limitations to the point where they no longer are?</p>

<p>Yeah, zoom lenses are definitely convenient and sometimes necessary for things like sports and such, but if you think you can't possibly get by without one while travelling (okay, you might be going on safari, I spose I'd want a long zoom for that) think again. Maybe you just need to work a little more at 'seeing' photographically. Once you learn how to work well with just one or two fixed focal lengths, you will not only get most of the shots you want, you'll be spoiled by their superior speed and image quality.</p>

<p>I travel constantly for work. I use one film camera with nothing but a fast 50 and that gets me probably 90% of everything I shoot for. I have a little compact digital (Canon G10) for those instances where I just have to have a little more reach (or color) and it only occasionally comes out of my bag.</p>

<p>In my opinion, you should keep your Tamron, or some other zoom in the focal lengths you like, but try going for a week or two with just one prime screwed into the business end of your camera and you just might be surprised what you can do with it.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>When I was shooting film, I traveled mostly with primes. I never traveled with more than one zoom, Generally the Zuiko 28-48. With my Xpan, there was no choice.<br>

I never, never, never felt limited. Although after a trip to Italy with the D3 and the 17-35 I got some good shots, there was never a time when I wouldn't rather have had something smaller and above all, faster.<br>

Bill Pearce</p>

<p>I am a fan of primes - at least for film. But, the fact of the matter is that I think that good modern zooms out-resolve my digital camera anyway, so zooms are very useful. <br>

last year I took the 17-50mm on vacation with me. this year I took the 18-70 (nikon) because I would be in inclement weather a lot (and it has a seal around the mount). I found my results with the 17-50mm to be much better (who knows, there are lots of explanations). A good standard zoom is a fine lens to have on vacation, unless it is a "photo" vacation. In which case take some fast primes as well.<br>

James</p>

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<p>It also depends whether you are travelling alone, or with your family or travelling companions. If not alone, can or will they wait for you when you change lenses? Are you out all day, and want to travel lighter? The best lens is the one you have on the body when a photo op suddenly emerges.</p>

<p>To be short, I'll bring the zoom to be prepared, and leave the primes home on a travel. (on a photo shoot, however, things may be different)</p>