Robin54

I have Nikon D40 with 18-55 mm lens and 55-200 mm lens. I am going on a trip in August to San Francisco..Sonoma valley taking Amtrak to Seattle then Alaskan tour...I am considering up grading to Nikon 7100 .. My question what lens..the lens I have are they interchangeable with 7100 if so I don't want to purchase bundle with same lens...for the trip would the 18-200 be enough plus not too heavy..that way I would not have to worry about changing. Thanks in advance for your comments!!

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

The lenses you have will fit the D7100.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

After traveling with my camera equipment and myself for years my wife just told me to tell you to leave your camera equip at home. take the kids and have fun. if you need a camera just take a pocket instamatic.



So this summer we are traveling in separate vehicles

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

The answer to all your questions is yes. The D7100 is worlds ahead of the D40.

I'd go for a D7100 refurb for about $700 and a refurb or used 18-200 lens for about $400. For about $1K-$1100 you'll have everything you need for an excellent one camera/one lens traveling salvation show.

I did a 3-week trip last year with that combo and don't feel like I ever missed a shot.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

You've got it right. :D :thumbup:

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Good choice for traveling.

leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

Do you find your photos are soft at the 200 mm end with your 18-200 mm lens?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Most consumer zoom lenses are softer at the long end. A little sharpening in PP will take care of it.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Yes the will work and you have also made a good choice with the D7100 and 18-200.

Robin54

Well I am going to start looking for the 7100 18-200!! I am so excited about the trip and looking forward to many pics..thank you all

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I would wholeheartedly endorse this suggestion. This combination will serve you well for years to come. The 18-200mm lens never leaves my D7000.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I agree that a refurb d7100 is a great choice. I would also check out the Sigma 18-250 macro lens. At $350.00 it is hard to beat. That is my favorite "walk around" setup. Have a great trip and looking forward to seeing some of your photos.

jgordon Loc: Boulder CO

Sometimes wives can be quite insightful.

Traveling to collect images can be a lot different from traveling to collect experiences. I like both approaches -- but they are not always consistent. When I have taken extensive trips I have always packed the camera gear. But I wonder if traveling with one small camera (I have one I like with a fixed lens) wouldn't also be a good way to go.

Looking for images helps me see my surroundings more intensely and that can add to the travel experience. However, being too involved with the gear can limit my ability to deeply experience an adventure. Also, carrying a relatively large camera and lens can get old after a few hours on the street. Traveling with a small and relatively simple camera can help in that regard.

On a trip to Buenos Aires several years ago I brought a Nikon 7000 with an 18-200 mm lens. I also brought a little Fuji point and shoot camera. On some days I wandered the streets with the Nikon and got some great shots. I did that alone and with the specific goal of doing photography. On most days, however, I went on family adventures and carried the small camera. I got some great shots with that as well.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

This is hilarious !!!! But - there is some truth to it. You may want to throw a Point and Shoot in your bag too. Just incase your 7100 starts to get heavy or you go somewhere you don't want to lug it. I always carry both - DSLR and P&S. I have had days when my DSLR started to ruin my day because it was too big.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

What to do with the camera and lenses may depend on your expectations with the "Alaskan tour", what ever that is...

The simple way is indeed a D7100 and an 18-200mm lens. No need to ever be changing lenses, and you carry what you need in one hand.

Less money would be buy the D7100, and take both the D40 and the new camera. Use one lens on each. Not as convenient, but saves the cost of the 18-200mm lens.

However, if your Alaskan tour includes perhaps Denali Park, and any intension of getting wildlife photos, change everything. Think about a Tamron 150-600mm instead of the 18-200mm. Take both cameras and always have both available with the two most likely to be used lenses. In the park, the wide angle for landscapes and the long zoom for wildlife. But if you aren't into wildlife at all, there probably is no need for anything longer than 200mm.

And all that said... I'll give you my standard rant about "touring" Alaska. This is one really big place, with more diversity than you can imagine. There is no way to see anything other than a very small portion. I think most tourist make a horrible mistake in choosing what to see and where to tour. The Highway System is the part of Alaska most similar to the Lower-48. Go for an 800 mile loop close to home, and you'll see just as much and it won't cost nearly the same.

Or you can see the Alaska that isn't the same. And given the cost of just getting here, that seems like a smarter idea too! When you get to Anchorage consider how close it is to Alaska... Only one airplane ride away! And Fairbanks... that one ride is shorter and costs less.

Go to Bethel, Unalakleet, Nome, Kotzebue or Barrow. Or if you are brave, Aniak, McGrath, Anaktuvuk Pass and Kaktovik are all really cool places. I do highly recommend Barrow as the easiest to visit and at least as unique as the others; not because I live here, but rather I live here because that is true. Barrow is an all day every day adventure!