Which lens best: Going on a cruise in June and only want to take one lens. Will be visiting the likes of Rome, Pisa and Florence, Naples, Istanbul and Athens. Probably taking pics of...

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Going on a cruise in June and only want to take one lens. Will be visiting the likes of Rome, Pisa and Florence, Naples, Istanbul and Athens. Probably taking pics of mainly architecture I would imagine. I have Nikon 18-55 and 55-300. Keep changing my mind. Sure you expert folk will advise me of the best bet.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I know you will get different choices on either of the two lenses you have listed and then others will chime in with their selection of other lenses you should take with you on the cruise. On the cruises I have taken I would have been very happy to have the 18-55 IF I could only have one lens. I would want the wide angle capability so for me the 18mm would win out.

Dennis

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

tommckibbin wrote:

Going on a cruise in June and only want to take one lens. Will be visiting the likes of Rome, Pisa and Florence, Naples, Istanbul and Athens. Probably taking pics of mainly architecture I would imagine. I have Nikon 18-55 and 55-300. Keep changing my mind. Sure you expert folk will advise me of the best bet.

Shot them all using a full frame leica and 50 mm sumi'...great pictures but would would give anything to shoot them over with a 35 mm wide angle.

The 18-55 would be a much better choice than the 55-300.

amehta Loc: Boston

tommckibbin wrote:

Going on a cruise in June and only want to take one lens. Will be visiting the likes of Rome, Pisa and Florence, Naples, Istanbul and Athens. Probably taking pics of mainly architecture I would imagine. I have Nikon 18-55 and 55-300. Keep changing my mind. Sure you expert folk will advise me of the best bet.

Why do you only want to take one lens, when you have both?

As Dennis and oldtigger said, the 18-55mm is the easy choice for only one lens. But to bother taking a DSLR on such an amazing trip but then not to have the additional tool does not seem wise.

If you really, really only want one lens, get the Nikon 18-300mm. Or rent it.

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Thanks gents. Have been thinking about getting the 18-300 but all money wrapped up in hol at moment. Only taking one to save space.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I have both lenses and if it were me, and I could only take one, it would be the 18-55.

amehta Loc: Boston

tommckibbin wrote:

Thanks gents. Have been thinking about getting the 18-300 but all money wrapped up in hol at moment. Only taking one to save space.

Take one fewer pair of pants, and take the second lens. :-)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Tom, you need to take at least 2 lenses. In those classic cities, a lot of the photography is indoors, as much as out. You need a fast indoor lens, like a 1.4.
I'll let others pic your outdoors lens. Have a great trip. ;-)
SS

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

tommckibbin wrote:

Going on a cruise in June and only want to take one lens. Will be visiting the likes of Rome, Pisa and Florence, Naples, Istanbul and Athens. Probably taking pics of mainly architecture I would imagine. I have Nikon 18-55 and 55-300. Keep changing my mind. Sure you expert folk will advise me of the best bet.

C'mon Tommy ! Living in this country surely you KNOW that the most versatile of the two lenses you mention for use in Europe the way you mention is the 18-55, because of its wide-angle capability.

If you want better capability in low light you might consider buying the Sigma 17-50 f2.8, or maybe renting it.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

SharpShooter wrote:

Tom, you need to take at least 2 lenses. In those classic cities, a lot of the photography is indoors, as much as out. You need a fast indoor lens, like a 1.4.
I'll let others pic your outdoors lens. Have a great trip. ;-)
SS

Agree. A fast lens is a must.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hello tommckibbin, I went on a similar cruise last year and only took one lens, a 38mm prime, so if I were you I would just take the 18-55. Most of the places you are going to will be very crowded so a big zoom will just get in the way. The main advantage of your zoom would be when you are on the ship to take photographs of other passing ships and the scenery as you approach/leave the various ports.
Cheers,
John.

tommckibbin Loc: Liverpool, England.

Thanks for that. To be honest I don't do much indoor stuff.

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

tommckibbin wrote:

Going on a cruise in June and only want to take one lens. Will be visiting the likes of Rome, Pisa and Florence, Naples, Istanbul and Athens. Probably taking pics of mainly architecture I would imagine. I have Nikon 18-55 and 55-300. Keep changing my mind. Sure you expert folk will advise me of the best bet.

I too did a cruise around the European areas. I took it all on the boat and then choose 2 for each day trip. I would agree with an giving an edge to the 18-55. But, I find that with the 70-200 I have, I can often get over and beyond the people crowding sites. When I knew I would be inside, I took a 1.8.

amehta Loc: Boston

tommckibbin wrote:

Thanks for that. To be honest I don't do much indoor stuff.

Understanding your photographic goals is very helpful for packing! :thumbup:

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

oldtigger wrote:

Shot them all using a full frame leica and 50 mm sumi'...great pictures but would would give anything to shoot them over with a 35 mm wide angle.

The 18-55 would be a much better choice than the 55-300.

totally agree with you. my 35mm on my leica m6 is the best tourist camera around. of course, not counting my contax g2 & g1 system!