Which Lens? My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for...

dluznicky Loc: Bella Vista, Ar

My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for good landscaping photos. Or is there a decent all purpose lens? I don't want to spend too much as I will never be a professional! For me that would take the fun out of it. So far I'm not impressed with the photo quality, but have been told it is due to my "crappy" kit lenses!

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Maybe consider the Nikon 18-140...but really...how much do you plan on spending?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

<loaded question>
I use an 18-200 Sigma as my walk around lens. It allows me to crop in camera, covers kinda wide (crop sensor) and decent telephoto. The kit lenses aren't "all that bad" but granted, not as good as expensive glass. (My Sigma was not that expensive.)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Nikon has a host of VR enabled 18mm to 'x' lenses with 18-300 being the widest in zoom range. They differ mostly on cost. For general purpose on your camera, look at the cost of either the 18-105 VR or the 18-140 VR. Both would be great for your trip as one lens for your needs.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

dluznicky wrote:

My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for good landscaping photos. Or is there a decent all purpose lens? I don't want to spend too much as I will never be a professional! For me that would take the fun out of it. So far I'm not impressed with the photo quality, but have been told it is due to my "crappy" kit lenses!

The Nikon D3300 is an excellent bargain priced DSLR with 24 megapixels. A friend has one with the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm lenses. Yes. the lenses are inexpensive just like the camera. Not great, but good enough. Excellent lenses are not cheap. Check refurbished or used at the good customer service photo shops like Adorama, B&H, Nikon USA. and others.

ggttc Loc: TN

All of the above are good suggestions...my wife has a nikkor 24-120 which you can buy refurbished for about $600 or so.

Secondly, give your kit lens a chance...are they superior lenses...no...but they are darn good...practice with those before you take the plunge and find yourself getting the same results for more money.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

dluznicky wrote:

My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for good landscaping photos. Or is there a decent all purpose lens? I don't want to spend too much as I will never be a professional! For me that would take the fun out of it. So far I'm not impressed with the photo quality, but have been told it is due to my "crappy" kit lenses!

28-300mm

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

ggttc wrote:

All of the above are good suggestions...my wife has a nikkor 24-120 which you can buy refurbished for about $600 or so.

Secondly, give your kit lens a chance...are they superior lenses...no...but they are darn good...practice with those before you take the plunge and find yourself getting the same results for more money.

This is really good advice. I would suggest investing about $25.00 in a instructional book to help you set up the shots you will be taking. There are also a lot of instructional videos on the internet that will improve your technique and maybe change your attitude about the lenses you have. Leon

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Nikon has some great lenses - but - if you are concerned with cost vs performance or value vs cost - you should be looking at the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 Contemporary

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

dluznicky wrote:

My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for good landscaping photos. Or is there a decent all purpose lens? I don't want to spend too much as I will never be a professional! For me that would take the fun out of it. So far I'm not impressed with the photo quality, but have been told it is due to my "crappy" kit lenses!

Your kit lens should not be "Crappy". Perhaps it is broken. Even "Kit lenses" are generally pretty good optics.
Not knowing your budget and your lens does not meet your quality requirements I would go with the 18-140mm Good price and good quality photos good size for general purpose. Also if you move to a FF sensor ever it can go with you there as well. Happy hunting.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I have an array of lenses and my wife ended up sticking with the 18-140. It offers a decent range without being cumbersome. Thousands of pleasing shots that range from Yellowstone to family.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

ggttc wrote:

...
Secondly, give your kit lens a chance...are they superior lenses...no...but they are darn good...practice with those before you take the plunge and find yourself getting the same results for more money.

:thumbup:

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

dluznicky wrote:

My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for good landscaping photos. Or is there a decent all purpose lens? I don't want to spend too much as I will never be a professional! For me that would take the fun out of it. So far I'm not impressed with the photo quality, but have been told it is due to my "crappy" kit lenses!

first, when I bought my first camera with kit lens, the photos were fairly poor, some keepers, but mostly poor. I discovered that it was not the lens, but my inexperience. once I got a lot of practice, the "lens" started producing much better photos.
that said, a great all around lens for your camera would be an 18-300 lens. it covers the wide angle for landscape and gives you a fairly good zoom for wildlife and close up photography. there will be a learning curve with that lens as it is larger and harder to hand hold for sharp photos.
you may purchase the lens, or another of your choice, used at places like B&H photo, adorama, and a few other online retailers for a savings. there is nothing wrong with used lenses, just pay attention to the condition rating. anything above 8.5 condition is great.

lovitlots Loc: Tottenham, Ontario, Canada

Why not research a few focal lengths and see what they will do, then see if you can rent some or all of them in the time between now and when you leave, then see what the one you like will cost. If more than you can afford, see what compromises are available to you. That way you get what you want and not what someone else prefers. You can listen to the suggestions but ultimately, you're the photographer here and all that matters is what suit your tastes. You may wind up choosing a lens that is more money than you wanted to spend, but if it's the lens you really like using it won't hurt so bad when you buy.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

dluznicky wrote:

My husband and I are planning a trip in about a year for our anniversary. I just got my first DSLR (Nikon D3300) and would like suggestions on what lens I should get for good landscaping photos. Or is there a decent all purpose lens? I don't want to spend too much as I will never be a professional! For me that would take the fun out of it. So far I'm not impressed with the photo quality, but have been told it is due to my "crappy" kit lenses!

IF I was taking only one lens on a trip I'd take my Sigma 17-70, on my T4i or T1i it works out great, I can live without the longer lengths and the F2.8 at 17mm is fast enough. Ends up being an all purpose lens, just a bit heavy but not unbearable on a long day. bob.