Travel lens quandry...

[marke_gilbert]

After having abandoned 35mm almost entirely in favor of MF, a few

months ago I picked up an F6, Mb-40, 50mm 1.4, and 14mm f2.8. LOVE the

camera, and it has already paid for itself.

<P>That being said, I am taking a trip to Korea in December, and

looking to travel reasonably light. I tend to shoot wide to normal

lengths, so I am trying to decide what to take-- At this point, I am

thinking F6 (without the MB-40), the 14mm, 50mm, sb-800 and either:

<P>Choice 1: 20/24mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 85mm 1.8

<P>OR

<P>Choice 2: some wide/tele zoom, in the 24/28-70/80 range, fixed 2.8

(I am not opposed to third party).

<P>All thoughts and experiences appreciated.

<P>Thanks

<P>Marke Gilbert

<P>www.mdgfineart.com

[photo5]

I use a 35mm f/2 AIS lens as my normal lens on my F3. It sees the world like I do, and doesn't have too much distortion for people photos. I find the 50mm focal length pretty boring compared to the 35mm, so I would leave that lens at home if I were you...

 

14mm, 35mm, 85mm primes should cover about all you need. If you're into saving weight, I found the Nikon 28-105mm 3.5/4.5 zoom to be very nice for traveling too.

 

Dave

[armando_roldan]

I go with the widest zoom you have. Unless you are shooting wifelife or sports overseas. I have taken some big lenses with me like a 80-200mm and 300mm ( using film)and found I rarely used them and added quite of bit of weight to my bag. I went to Australia 3 weeks ago and only took one lens this time,a 24-85mm AF-D. I was on a D2h. I used the same lens before and used it 90% on film but I could used a wider lens on the digital. Maybe carry a teleconverter? I could of used one when Cucktoos,Galas and Rosellas were feeding in my new Australian home's backyard. I once went to London and only took 2 lenses( with film), a 19-35mm AF and the 80-200mm AF. I needed the tele only once for the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace.

[robert_m3]

Bite the bullet and get yourself a 28mm 1.4 AF D!

[Mary Doo]

Don't be in a quantry -- be decisive! ;-)

 

For light travel to the other side of the world, get the inexpensive and exquite do-it-all travel lens -- the wonderful Tamron 28-300mm! Don't laugh, I would pair this lens with my F6 at any time unless I am on a photo tour. An additional wide angle would be nice too.

[jeff h.]

My one lens choice is my Nikkor 28-105/3.5-4.5D: great optics (for a consumer zoom),

good size and weight, 62mm filters (like my #2 lens, my 20/2.8D)...and it consistently

takes great pictures.

[michaelging]

Marke, I have a F4 and a F5 , and most of the nikon AF lenses. I just spent 3 weeks in Croatia and Italy. I have learned over the years to travel lighter than I used to . On this trip I took my contax G2's for the great biogon wide angles and a Nikkormat FTN with a 180mm 2.8 maunal focus lens as well as the 24mm 2.8 nikkor. I did use the contax and shot chrome for a travel story, but most of the photos I took that I really liked, out of the 50 rolls of film I shot, were B&W using the 180mm.This camera does not have all the bells and whistles ,but the meter was right on. I probably would have taken my Nikon F with the straight prism as it's just as light, I just sometimes don't have that extra hand to deal with the removable back.

[low light]

24mmF2.8,35mmF2 and 85mmF1.8. That should cover everything and will not weigh you down.

[greglyon]

17-35 is my favorite travel length for 35mm. That + a fast 50 and either 85 or 100 does it most of the time. I'd take the 14 if I owned one as you do, maybe even ditching the 85...

[joseph_smith3]

For travel, I take my Nikon 28-70mm AF f3.5-4.5, and a 24 mm AF f 2.8 or a 20mm AF f 2.8, or both, depending on how wide I think I need to go. All of these lenses are small and light weight but take excellent quality images. If I have room, I add the 70-210mm AF 4.0-5.6 zoom lens, which usually gets used only a few times, usually for portraits and details on buildings, etc. I use the 28-70 zoom about 80% of the time. A better choice would be a 24-xxx zoom lens around f 3.5-4.5. My daughter uses a Nikon 24-120mm f 3.5-5.6D AF-IF lens and it produces great results. Definitely take the flash. Not all of my recommendations are still being made by Nikon, but are available used. Joe smith

[sandy_blanche]

Why are you going to Korea?

[photojim]

One lens? Easy. AF-S 24-85/3.5-4.5 G. No, it's not f/2.8, but I love 24mm more than I love f/2.8. It's a good range, it doesn't weigh too much and it's very sharp.

 

If I don't care about weight I'll take my 20-35/2.8D, 80-200/2.8 ED and maybe a 50/1.4. Slower lenses might be desirable if you're going to be walking much.

[ilkka_nissila]

I'm afraid lenses don't take boring or interesting photographs, photographers do.

 

My favorite travel setup is 20/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.8, 105/2 and 180/2.8. You have the 14 mm, which is quite extreme on film, I have the same lens but haven't really figured out what good to do with it on film (I use it on my D70 though).

 

A 28 mm would fit well between your 14 mm and 50 mm. But the 14 mm and 28/1.4 are quite heavy together, so the 28/2.8 might be a better bet (although it probably isn't quite as good). I really love the 105 mm focal length and would definitely consider the 105/2 for travel. Fabulous image quality.

 

Zoom? Well, the 17-35 fits between your 14 mm and 50 mm and is generally known as an excellent lens. However, it's again a heavy lens.

[alam eldin]

Hi Marke,

 

I prefer the ultrawide range in f/2.8 like 17-35 for interior where low light is there.

 

I have found that most pics where with 85mm so my travel combo is 17-35mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.4 or 1.8 and 180mm f/2.8 I may even go without the 180mm by this you gruantee 1- high qualiy pics 2- minimum weight 3- minimum risck when changing lenses.

 

Whaever you choos, good luck

 

Mohamed Alam Eldin