DrDrake Loc: Greensboro NC

Good Morning Hogger,
My wife and I are planning to to travel to a Caribbean Island in January.
What is a good lens to carry around. My main interest are landscape with people in the picture. I have a D3200 camera with 18-55, 55-300, 50 1.8 and a 35 1.8. Need advice on which to carry or should I purchase another lens.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

For really good coverage, take them all.. Or if you have to buy something, an 18-300 will take in most situations and cover most all focal lengths. My two cents.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

For landscapes or in-town shots I would go with the 18-55. For evening or lowlight it would be either of the 1.8 lenses. Probably the 35mm, since I think the D3200 is a crop sensor body. (Not too familiar with Nikon).

gotr

My say would be if just one the 18-55
Some like the sharpness of the 35 but sometimes I think it's too close

In the future check out the 18-200 I recently bought...Nikon usually has some good refurb deals. It GAS 've2 and isn't that heavy

But 18-55 kit lens works nicely for all around. Have fun on trip and with pictures

Remember early morning and dusk for awesome colors

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

been there, done that and agree.
Focus carefully, and use good light; you'll like the results.

DrDrake Loc: Greensboro NC

Thanks a lot, we will

MtnMan Loc: ID

The 18-55 is all you need.

While the 55-300 is a great lens only take it if you want to go after birds. You won't use it much.

I'm just back from a three week tour of Europe. I bought a Sigma 17-50 for it. I'd have the same images and less weight if I had kept my 18-55...only used the f2.8 a couple of times. My wife lugged her 18-300 but used the tele end of it very little.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

All answers have a simiar theme but I didn't how much I used the 18-55 until I stood up to get off of a bus in St. Thomas and the camera and lens fell of my lap.

After a collective Oh! from the crowd the pieces of the lens were collected and tossed and the D7100 had its battery and cover put back on.

A valiant effort was made to use only the 55-300 but it does't work well when you are close to things.

The 35mm is a recent addition so I can't comment on that but I have done all of our vacations with the lenses you have for a lot of years and my only gripe is the sharpness, or lack thereof, with lower end lenses.

Hopefully someone will be along soon that may be of some actual help.

DrDrake Loc: Greensboro NC

Thanks

MtnMan Loc: ID

I bought the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 for the sharpness and lower f-stop...which can be useful indoors but not for landscapes. It is sharper but weighs twice as much as the Nikon 18-55 and cost much more. In retrospect I would keep the 18-55. The high ISO performance of the D5300 is good enough for indoors. And you won't do indoors in the Carribbean.

DrDrake Loc: Greensboro NC

Thanks

ronwande Loc: Hendersonville NC

Let me ask a dumb question. I'm very capable of that. I see a lot of questions like this. I'm going to X, what equipment should I take.

Is there something about a Caribbean island that is so different than your home? What lens(es) do you use the most at home?

That said, if you want to travel light, take the 18-300. I have an 18-200 and several other lenses. I find that I almost always have the 18-200 on my camera.

DrDrake Loc: Greensboro NC

Thank

mdsiamese Loc: Maryland

I don't think it is a dumb question. You have to think about the kind of things you would photograph on any trip, and yes, there are definitely things that are different about a Caribbean island than where most people live. #1 - sand, #2 - sun. Those are my top two answers, I'm sure there are others, and both will affect the lens you carry.

#1 will affect the switching of lenses. You don't want to be switching them very often in a place where there is so much sand, unless you can do so sandlessly. So you need a versatile lens that you can keep on your camera most of the time.

#2 means you will have lots of light during the day so don't need those wide apertures then. You will want to capture beautiful sunsets.

So looking over my own lenses, I would take just two lenses to a Caribbean island, my 24-70mm and my 14-24 ultra-wide. I would leave the other 5 lenses that I have at home even though I normally use them in various situations at home.

Back to the OP, I think the 18-55 mm is going to stay on your camera a lot. The 55-300 might be useful if you see some pelicans or birds that you like, or want a bit of zoom. If you are thinking of purchasing a lens for the trip, I'm not sure you should bother. Save your money, use what you have. Spend money on getting to the photos. But definitely take a lightweight tripod and brush up on the time-release of your camera for those sunsets.

Have fun! Use plenty of sunscreen.

photobyal Loc: Canton, Ohio

Well I have some info you may or may not agree with. Your going on vacation is this a camera shot vacation or just a fun vacation, sand, beach, bars, water sports. and the like ? That's the question you need to ask....Ok if it's a camera shot and your looking for the great sunset sunrise and your getting up at dark early to catch it, bring the large SLR tripod, filters,2.8 wide angle lens and one good 2.8 telephoto 70-200 will work well. be sure to remember to bring the lens cover to prevent sand salt from getting in.

When I'm going on vacation sand or snow I bring my Olympus Tough, I love this tough baby, sand, snow, water, rocks, salt . drop proof, water proof, and the pictures ARE GREAT. the lens is fixed and covered. Check it out !