Travel Lens Recommendations for Nikon DX Body (Page 2): I have both the Nikon 18-200mm and Sigma 18-250mm macro. I've had the Nikon lens since 2006 and it is my standard travel lens.

AGO

I have both the Nikon 18-200mm and Sigma 18-250mm macro. I've had the Nikon lens since 2006 and it is my standard travel lens. The Sigma is also excellent. I bought it for the macro capacity. The extra 50mm reach is nice, but not necessary. I also recommend the Sigma 10-20mm when you need a wider angle (e.g. at the Grand Canyon) and the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for those low light situations.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

wthomson wrote:

I'm looking for a 16/18mm to 200/300/400mm lens for travel (assuming that COVID will allow travel in 2021) with a Nikon DX body. What do you recommend for light weight, reasonable weather protection, reasonable quality option among Nikon, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina? Personal experience with recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

For the best reach considering size and weight would be the Nikon 18-200 VRII. This lens is sharp, light, easy to carry, and covers a lot of ground. It would have an effective field of view of 27-300 mm on a DX body.
Again, it is small and you can get exceptional prices used off ebay or other vendors.
The shot below was taken with that lens on a Nikon D7000 camera. It is of the Gap of Dunloe in Ireland.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"18-200 Nikon DX is a good lens."

I agree and it has enough flexibility as a walk around lens. I use the 18-70 AF-S and the 18-200 AF-S, VR the latter has the great advantage of using VR.
I have been very pleased with the images I get from both lenses. I would consider the 18-200 VR if traveling.

tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois

wthomson wrote:

I'm looking for a 16/18mm to 200/300/400mm lens for travel (assuming that COVID will allow travel in 2021) with a Nikon DX body. What do you recommend for light weight, reasonable weather protection, reasonable quality option among Nikon, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina? Personal experience with recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Sigma 18-300 Contemporary is my choice

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

For me, I like my Tamron 18-400. It takes great photos and is the one that stays on my camera most of the time. It’s a little heavier than a smaller range zoom but I like the flexibility. It’s been to Africa, Iceland, Hawaii, Israel, Asia. I would like a bit better weather seal, but if it’s a little more adverse weather conditions, I use a “plastic bag” that is made for this purpose. B&H and Amazon carry them.

Good luck in your search. There is always a trade off and it depends on what photos you like to take. If you are taking a lot of indoor shots, you may want a different lens , as this is not optimal for lower light situations.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

wthomson wrote:

I'm looking for a 16/18mm to 200/300/400mm lens for travel (assuming that COVID will allow travel in 2021) with a Nikon DX body. What do you recommend for light weight, reasonable weather protection, reasonable quality option among Nikon, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina? Personal experience with recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

I have the 18-200 zoom, and it can be a very convenient travel lens. It is pretty quirky, and isn't very fast...f/5.6 over much of the long end, which can be really limiting for indoor photography, should you need the longer focal lengths in those situations. I've mostly replaced it with the 24-120mm f/4 VRII lens.

One thing you might think about is depending on what body you are using, how much flexibility do you have to crop your images? The ability to crop a little lets you get by with a little bit shorter lens, which can save quite a bit of space and weight.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Kmgw9v wrote:

18-200 Nikon DX is a good lens.

That's what I used with my D7xxx cameras.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Kmgw9v wrote:

18-200 Nikon DX is a good lens.

Based on UHH advice I purchased this lens and it stays on my camera 95% of the time. Although it doesn't have the reach of a more extreme zoom like an 18-300 mm lens, it offers better clarity.

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks very much for the multiple responses--they narrow my search considerably.

The (slightly) lightest of the bunch appears to be the Nikon 18-300 3.5-6.3, but how is its quality (esp. weather sealing), compared to the Nikon 18-200 and the Nikon 18-300 3.5 -5.6. And I've read that the Tamron 18-400 doesn't actually reach 400 (range of 350 to 380). Is this accurate?

I find when I travel, I'm usually outdoors and using the long and short ends of of any lens most of the time.

AGO

In terms of a travel lens, it really depends on where you are going. In Europe for example, I find that in the cities and villages, I use the wide end of my Nikon 18-200mm more than the tele end. I generally use my 10-20 mm about 5-10% of the time. It is rare that I would want anything more that 200mm. However, in the scenic areas of the U.S. I generally take along my Nikon 55-300mm and find that I use the 300 end quite often. Although I haven't travelled to Africa, I would expect that longer reach would be necessary there.

Weight is also an issue as I get older, but so far, the 18-200 on a DX7100 hasn't ruined my neck.

Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

I can highly recommend the Tamron 18-400.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

View Ken Rockwells site (kenrockwell.com)...18-300 is a fantastic all around lens

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

wthomson wrote:

I'm looking for a 16/18mm to 200/300/400mm lens for travel (assuming that COVID will allow travel in 2021) with a Nikon DX body. What do you recommend for light weight, reasonable weather protection, reasonable quality option among Nikon, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina? Personal experience with recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Tamron 16-300 on special at Adorama

https://www.adorama.com/tm16300nk.html

billmck Loc: Central KY

I have a Nikon D7100 and I almost exclusively use the Tamron 18-400. None of my photos will ever be taken as high art, but that lens works well for my needs.

ELNikkor

When you consider what it is you will be taking photos of, (distant birds? or Arizona landscapes?) you'll have to consider the balance of weight/cost/length of time of your outing. My friend just sold his 18-140 DX, though it was (a great lens, only weighed a pound), and got the DX 18-300 (weighs almost 2 pounds) for his D7500. Since you mention you have a Nikon DX camera, I'm guessing you already have an 18-55 kit lens. Rather than have a heavy expensive 18-300, I suggest you look at a DX VR 70-300. The AFP version weighs less than a pound and will cover those distant birds without weighing you down all the time. It is also much less expensive than the 18-300. You only shoot at one focal length at a time, and it only takes seconds to switch lenses.