traveling lens: Got a d3100 with the standard kit lens and am working on my photography. We're going on a trip to Europe- traveling on trains and I don't have a lot of room. I bought...

momofmany

Got a d3100 with the standard kit lens and am working on my photography.
We're going on a trip to Europe- traveling on trains and I don't have a lot of room. I bought the 50m f/1.8g lens. I was told it is the best all around lens to have. Since it doesn't zoom, it has a bit of a learning curve. I originally bought the 35mm and returned it. Don't have a lot of room. Did I make a mistake. I want to take 2 lens at the most. Prefer to take one. Any suggestions.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

What size standard kit lens was included with your D3100? If you have a zoom lens, this would cover many focal lengths which makes it easy since you can be just about anywhere and you won't have to move closer or farther from the subject as you would with a prime (50mm) lens. Something good might be an 18-300mm?

momofmany

The kit lens is an 18-55mm

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The 50 prime will be a great all around lens including indoors where a flash is not allowed. The 18-55 was likely VR enabled making this a great all around lens although a bit challenged indoor with no flash. You're set up for your trip except for the long(er) zoom of distant sites. If you want some reach at a modest price that still covers wide, look for the 18-105 VR DX. Used will run you around $220.

momofmany

Thanks for your help. Looks like I'm covered.

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

CHG_CANON wrote:

The 50 prime will be a great all around lens including indoors where a flash is not allowed. The 18-55 was likely VR enabled making this a great all around lens although a bit challenged indoor with no flash. You're set up for your trip except for the long(er) zoom of distant sites. If you want some reach at a modest price that still covers wide, look for the 18-105 VR DX. Used will run you around $220.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If want to spend some money and go to the next level, try the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4.

srfotog Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

momofmany wrote:

Got a d3100 with the standard kit lens and am working on my photography.
We're going on a trip to Europe- traveling on trains and I don't have a lot of room. I bought the 50m f/1.8g lens. I was told it is the best all around lens to have. Since it doesn't zoom, it has a bit of a learning curve. I originally bought the 35mm and returned it. Don't have a lot of room. Did I make a mistake. I want to take 2 lens at the most. Prefer to take one. Any suggestions.

I would go with a zoom like the Tamron 18-270mm. It is a great lens, not heavy and it really takes really nice pictures.

JoeM Loc: Sacramento, California

I ditto that reply. The Tamron 18-270 is a very good lens.

drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY

When I am traveling I carry a 28-300 on my D600. I also take either a 20 F2.8 or a 24F2.8 and a 50 F1.4. This is adequate and not too heavy.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mom, you don't say why you returned the 35(I assume it was the 1.8).
The reason to carry a 1.8 is for use indoors, such as in cathedrals or in the late eve/night etc.
The problem with the fifty, it's gonna be a little long for indoor work, as it's a mild tele on your camera.
Problem is, all the zooms are too slow for indoors in low light. The 2.8s are slightly better, but very expensive.
I guess I would reconsider the 35. Good luck. ;-)
SS

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I'm with SharpShooter, in I would have kept the 35mm since you have a crop camera. The 50mm is a little long inside. You could opt for the 55-200 as well. Very inexpensive and a very sharp lens. Just my 2 cents worth. Have fun on your trip!

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

momofmany wrote:

Got a d3100 with the standard kit lens and am working on my photography.
We're going on a trip to Europe- traveling on trains and I don't have a lot of room. I bought the 50m f/1.8g lens. I was told it is the best all around lens to have. Since it doesn't zoom, it has a bit of a learning curve. I originally bought the 35mm and returned it. Don't have a lot of room. Did I make a mistake. I want to take 2 lens at the most. Prefer to take one. Any suggestions.

I have traveled in Europe and Africa as well as a Mediterranean cruise and relied totally on my Tamron 18-270

olcoach Loc: Oregon

srfotog wrote:

I would go with a zoom like the Tamron 18-270mm. It is a great lens, not heavy and it really takes really nice pictures.

The Tammy is a great lens and covers a wide area. It is a lens that can serve for a lot of shots giving you the opportunity to find the lens(es) you really need and/or want. Have fun.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I have an old D200 that I still use though exclusively for travel. I travel with that camera and a single lens, a Nikon 18mm-300mm. That gives me a really good range from wide angle to a good telephoto on that APS-C sensor which is the same sized sensor on your camera. If you want to save some money, Nikon also has the 18mm-200mm which I used for years until the other one finally came out.

Prime lenses like a fast 50mm or 35mm are handy when you're working in poor light and when you need razor sharp images. They're handy too if you're trying to create art. But personally I use them only when I need to create art and when image quality is my highest priority.

When you're travelling the issue is not art, the issue is to capture your experiences and the things you saw. The challenge is to travel as a photojournalist as opposed to a photographer. I find the best way to do that is to use a zoom and those two zooms have been the best I've ever used when I needed a lens that gave me a maximum range.