Two essential walk-around lenses? I plan to do some traveling around in Central America soon and must travel light. I want to get by with a Nikon D-90, a tripod and two lenses. What...

Lmarc Loc: Ojojona, Honduras

I plan to do some traveling around in Central America soon and must travel light. I want to get by with a Nikon D-90, a tripod and two lenses. What would be your recommendation for a reasonably good "walk-around" lens set that will cover close-ups (not necessarily macro) as well as scenics up to 200-300mm telephoto? TWO lenses only.

Any information is appreciated!

RacerDan Loc: Virden Illinois

Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD, with this you would only need the 1 lens. Do a search on tamron 18-270 and you will find a number of members here already have one and they love it. It is $549 with the $100 rebate good to the end of September. I have and reseached for weeks and finally bite the bullet yesterday and ordered mine.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Fast 35mm or 50mm (or equivalents for crop formats).

If you need more, you need to work harder on your compositional skills, and on capturing the moment.

Cheers,

R.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
50mm f/1.8
At least that is what I would take. I realize the nifty fifty is included in the Tamron, but it's a darn good portrait lens

Lmarc Loc: Ojojona, Honduras

Thanks so much to all for the replies! I will check out all the suggestions.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lmarc wrote:

I plan to do some traveling around in Central America soon and must travel light. I want to get by with a Nikon D-90, a tripod and two lenses. What would be your recommendation for a reasonably good "walk-around" lens set that will cover close-ups (not necessarily macro) as well as scenics up to 200-300mm telephoto? TWO lenses only.

Any information is appreciated!

I would take my 18-200mm and 12-24mm, ideally on two bodies, but not for a big trip like that. One body would be enough.

richnash46 Loc: Texas

Lmarc wrote:

I plan to do some traveling around in Central America soon and must travel light. I want to get by with a Nikon D-90, a tripod and two lenses. What would be your recommendation for a reasonably good "walk-around" lens set that will cover close-ups (not necessarily macro) as well as scenics up to 200-300mm telephoto? TWO lenses only.

Any information is appreciated!

If I can only take two lens for walk around, then I would take my AF-S DX18-55mm and my AF-S DX55-300mm both with VR. Enjoy your trip!

GEEJAY Loc: witness protection

Like Jerry,I carry a Nikkor 18-200 and a Tokina 11-16.A do all set up.Two Bodies.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Why carry 2 lenses? I would suggest the new Nikon 18-300mm VR II and go with the all in one deal.
I use the 28-300mm VR II myself as I do not buy DX lenses, but the close-focusing ability of it is wonderful, and with the 300mm range at close focus you get 1:3 ratio from 4 feet away.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

As well as considering the Tamron 18-270, look at the Sigma 18-250. I use the Sigma 18-250 as my main walk around lens and it would be the one lens I would take.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Gotta agree with MT, Nikon 18-300mm VR II, in fact I think in yesterday's posts there was a discussion comparing Tamron with Nikor Glass...a no brainer comparison.

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

The two lens that I took were a Nikon 28-300 and a 12-24 .... I don't know how you will be traveling ... but a tripod is a lot of added weight and I doubt that you will need it ....

ToadSlayer Loc: England

Although it may be tempting to reduce the kit to one wide-range lens, such as the excellent Tamron 18-270mm, if you are intending to go to 'out of city' areas, it is tempting fate to rely on just a single lens.

If, for any reason it fails to function, gets smashed or stolen, then you have no camera to work with.

Take TWO lenses, as you first suggested.

If it was me, I would take a 17-70 and a 28-300 of whatever make suits you best.

GOOD LUCK with your trip.

Patriot66 Loc: Minnesota

MT Shooter wrote:

Why carry 2 lenses? I would suggest the new Nikon 18-300mm VR II and go with the all in one deal.
I use the 28-300mm VR II myself as I do not buy DX lenses, but the close-focusing ability of it is wonderful, and with the 300mm range at close focus you get 1:3 ratio from 4 feet away.

I agree with Shooter, just got the 18-300 Nikkor and love it. Have it mounted on a D7000 and makes a good combination. Then you have the energy to slep the tri or monopod along as well.

Opus Loc: South East Michigan

MT Shooter wrote:

Why carry 2 lenses? I would suggest the new Nikon 18-300mm VR II and go with the all in one deal.
I use the 28-300mm VR II myself as I do not buy DX lenses, but the close-focusing ability of it is wonderful, and with the 300mm range at close focus you get 1:3 ratio from 4 feet away.

I would have agree with this statement but if I had to choose between the lens I now own I would take my Tokina 12-24 f4 & either my 18-200 VR or my 70-300 VR.