Taking a new lens on a once-in-a-lifetime trip... is it folly?

[bmm]

<p>Hi all<br>

I find myself in a dilemma. I am going to Jordan the week immediately after Easter for work, and will have 2 half-days to visit the Dead Sea and surrounds, Jerash and the highlights of Amman, and then a one-day group excursion to Petra. Obviously once-in-a-lifetime stuff, and also obviously not a structure of trip nor the availibility of time to go back to any place that I cannot take good images of the first time around.<br>

Now normally I'd take my preferred light travel kit of D80, 35/2 and 85/2 plus this time I'd add on the 24/2.8 that I have just bought second hand (though not used anywhere near enough to be 'fluent' in its use for such an important trip).<br>

My question is whether I should risk it with the 24, if it distracts me from taking images with the 2 other lenses that I know and like.<br>

Or maybe, particularly as most of these places are outdoors and the light will be good, I should go for the flexibility of the 18-200VR which is an 'insurance policy' to ensure the quick ability to get a wide range of shots, at a minor cost of absolute image quality. Though I mainly shoot with my 2 favourite primes, I have to say that on a trip to the countryside of Thailand last year the 18-200VR shone in this role.<br>

Would be interested in your thoughts on this...</p>

[andreas_manessinger]

Hmm ... I love the 18-200 VR on trips. Somehow I always tend to fall into "documentation mode", and you can't beat that lens in flexibility. I see another problem in your lineup: no real wide. I have the strong feeling that you'd want a 10-20 or at least 12-24 when you are in Petra. Expect small places with big architecture.

[ShunCheung]

<p>If I went on some "once in a lifetime" trip, I would certainly bring some backup equipment. The 18-200 is ideal for that purpose, and I would bring a backup body as well, but that is just me.</p>

[luis_g]

<p> The 18-200, and the type of trip would seem to work well together. Using the 24mm on a D80 would yield a 35mm effective 36mm, hardly anything radical. Every P&S on earth has that FOV available. I also agree with the other posters that you will want a wider zoom in Petra.</p>

[heartyfisher]

<p>I find the tough little olympus P&S, the SW series that can go underwater etc ,to be a great backup camera. Not only as a backup to the main camera if that camera fails, but also when you cant take that main camera out. As when you go sea kayaking or in a dust storm or tropical monsoon or Skiing etc...</p>

<p>I would also agree that a wide angle lens is good for trips. I take my 18-200 and 12-24 on holidays. They dont get used as much day to day anymore. Been playing with some nice second gear lately (An F601 + 50mm AIS .. and the latest addition 35-70 F2.8 AFD just got that 2 days ago..)</p>

[bmm]

<p>18-200Vr support noted, and I must say again that I'm not surprised given my own experience of how handy this lens was on a holiday setting last year in Asia.</p>

<p>Interested though in the other, more general idea in my original post, which is the logic or otherwise of 'testing out' or 'learning' a particular lens on a one-off trip or shoot. I imagine some would say that jumping in is the only way to really learn a lens, whereas others would caution heavily against it.</p>

<p>Given I've had my 24mm prime for just a week with no time to do anything more than a few dozen test shots around the house, its an issue of some interest!</p>

[photo5]

<p>Yes, I would go for the 18-200mm on that trip, but Shun makes a good point, always bring a backup, even if it's just a 50mm.</p>

[bmm]

<p>If I took a single backup it would be my 35/2 - small size and 'normal' on DX, plus gives me better low light than my zoom</p>

[Mary Doo]

<p>The 18-200VR and a nice point-and-shoot for backup and ultra convenience.</p>

[bmm]

<p>Sorry I should probably have made my full list of lens options clear...<br />24mm f/2.8 AF-D<br />35mm f/2.0 AF-D<br />50mm f/1.4 AF-D<br />85mm f/1.4 AF-D<br />180mm f/2.8 AF-D<br />18-200mm VR AF-S zoom variable aperture<br />70-210mm push-pull AF-D zoom variable aperture<br />all currently used DX-style as my body is D80</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>There will be times at Petra when you wish you had something wider and I would NOT go without at <em>least</em> the 18-200.</p>

<p>I went to Egypt with a 17-85mm* as my widest lens, and bought a Sigma 10-22mm practically the day I got back -- still wish it had been the day before. The primes will be useful for lower light situations.</p>

<p>*I admit it, I am a stinking Canon user, but I think the experience is valid all the same.</p>

[bmm]

<p>Hmmm... then I have an interesting potential choice to make as I'll need something wide and good which will work on my D80, but which also doesn't break my rule of not getting any more DX glass as I'm going to D700 in June/July.</p>

<p>Short of the awesome but big and expensive 14-24mm zoom, does anyone have any suggestions?</p>

[photo_galleries]

<p>You will need an ultra wide lens for Petra... RENT ONE.</p>

<p>I shot this with a 15mm on an R-D1S (same sensor size as your D80), so an 18-200mm may not be wide enough. Try to see if you can rent a 12-24mm or 14-24mm or the Tamron, Tokina, Sigma versions. That will be your most used lens in Petra.</p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2694438685_4cef53ce90.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="500" /></p>

[monika_epsefass]

<p>Once in a lifetime? I'd take my best lenses. Seriously. I'm usually unafraid when the occasion occurs.</p>

[Peter_in_PA]

<p>18-200 is a great vacation lens. You want it.</p>

<p>If you can afford it, get one of the Sigma/Tokina offerings at 10/11/12-16/20/24. Then I'd leave the 24 and the 70-210 (at least) at home.</p>

[brooks_lester]

<p>Is your gear insured? You bought the lenses to use them, not store them. None of your lenses is irreplaceable or particularly expensive. I would also take an ultra wide lens - one that goes to at least 16-17mm on DX - and 12mm would be a better wide extreme. Be aware of dust when changing lenses. Enjoy the trip - I'm jealous! </p>

 

[james_symington1]

<p>Bernard,</p>

<p>I go to Jordan constantly (I work for a Jordanian bank in London as it happens and am married to a Jordanian) and know the country very well and if you want to make the most of your free time there I would suggest a rethink of your itinerary.</p>

<p>Group trips are by definition photographical disasters unless you like photographing the people you are with and not having any control over anything you do. If somehow you can get down to Petra the night before you are due to go in (hire a car to take you or drive yourself even if you are adventurous), your positive experience of Petra will be magnified tenfold. Stay at the Crowne Plaza which is a hundred yards from the main gate of Petra and be up and ready at the entrance for 6am the following morning. It will be cool, you might possibly be on your own, and the sun will be low enough for a while that you can photograph the Treasury without any sunlight on it when it looks at its pinkest.</p>

<p>Day trips from Amman means arriving with 10,000 other tourists, walking in the boiling sun from the moment you arrive and having dozens of people in your photographs all taken in the worst overhead light. I really really really recommend you try to alter this plan if you can. It will make an enormous difference. Your hotel will happily arrange a driver to take you to Petra and the hotel there will just as happily arrange a driver to take you back.</p>

<p>Petra can be tiring if you go to the Monastery - a must - at the far end of it up a mountain. My recommendation for there is your D80, the 18-200mm and a tripod to take succesful shots in the Siq (canyon leading to the Treasury) and nothing else (apart from batteries, memory cards, water, cash and a hat). You can hire a donkey to take you up to the Monastery which is a great relief but you will miss good photographic opportunities on the way. You will definitely need the widest lens you own in Petra. It is obviously very sandy/dusty so lens changing should be kept to a minimum.</p>

<p>As for the rest of the trip i t depends on what you like - Amman (ancient Philadelphia for those who don't know) is not worth spending any time in at all if time is at a premium which it seems to be. It's main redeeming feature is the amphitheatre but if you go to Jerash you can see two of them there anyway. Jerash is well worth a visit if you have not seen good Roman ruins (Baalbak in Lebanon is another great example if you ever have to go there). Mount Nebo is also worthwhile just from the historical/religious perspective as you get to see the Dead Sea from high up, the 'Promised Land' in the distance. The Dead Sea itself is probably not worth going in if time is short, the novelty of bobbing around like a cork is short-lived believe me.</p>

<p>For me the real jewel in the crown of Jordan is the desert of Wadi Rum which is further south from Petra - I've not seen scenery like that anywhere either with my own eyes or in photographs. It is quite distinct from the American southwest too. I have spent several days sleeping out in the desert there (a million star hotel they say) and it is a humbling place to be. If you want scenery there is nothing better in Jordan.</p>

<p>Enjoy yourself there.</p>

<p>James</p>

[carl_becker2]

<p><br />Bernard, I have looked at the 17-35mm f2.8 AF-S many times but I still like my primes. You can find these used, still expensive but it reads as a very good lens and is FX. It also takes a filter which for me is important.</p>

[Two23]

<p>My thinking is to judge lenses by their usefulness for the job. My other thinking is the lighter I can travel, the better. I have used the D80 for a year & half and know it well. What I would do is bring the Nikon 18-200mm VR because it's very versatile and you would be changing lenses a lot less in dusty conditions. Do not forget about dust. Second thing I'd bring would be the 35mm f2 for low light use. Finally, I'd buy a used Sigma 10-20mm from eBay. You don't have a D700 but need an ultrawide now. Buy a used one and you can likely resell it for about what you paid for it. Maybe even more if inflation starts to really kick in at the end of the year as many predict. Those three lenses have you covered for just about anything, reduce lens changes in the field, and is a lightweight compact set. Image quality from the 10-20mm is actually very good. It's better than my Nikon 20mm f2.8 AFD anyway.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[gerardo]

<p>Hi<br>

I was in Petra last year with my Nikon 18-200 VR and Sigma 10-20, and only used the 18-200 for about 5% of the shots. </p>

[chris_v1]

<p>For a once-in-a-lifetime trip I'd take only one lens, my favorite prime which is the 28mm f/2.8 AF-D at the moment. I'd shoot only what impresses me and avoid falling into the "documentation mode", like Andreas said. I usually prefer primes and I won't take a zomm lens on a trip like this to spend my time deciding on what focal length I should use and also no "backup" lenses to carry them around.</p>

[Peter_in_PA]

<p>Cristian,</p>

<p>You obviously don't travel with a spouse. ;-)</p>

[joseph_smith3]

<p>Bernard, it looks like you definitely need something wider than what you have. Since I have gone digital my 24mm f 2.8 has never been used. I use my 20mm f 2.8 instead. It is the prime that goes with me on all trips with my D 200 and D 300. I suggest you consider adding it to your lens kit. By the way, I just got the new Nikon 35mm f 1.8 DX and really like the results.<br>

I second the recommendation to avoid the tours and hire your own driver, etc even if you are on a tour. I learned this while traveling in Europe and in Egypt on business. For the same money or just a little more, you can get your own car and driver who knows the territory and can bypass the roadblocks often that confront tours and do photography when the light is best, like in early am or late afternoon when the tours have you still in bed or eating dinner. Joe Smith.</p>

[rick_m.]

<p>Listen to James Symington. He is wise and experienced. His landscapes are breathtaking. How could you hope for better advice? I just printed his post for my trip next year. </p>

[josephbraun]

<p>i'd bring the 18-200mm and the 12-24mm. and one or two primes.</p>