BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

If you are restricted to only one lens, for WHATEVER reason, then the 18-300 should serve well.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Ouch!!! I guess you hit me too, as I frequently carry just one camera body/lens.
However, I do wish you well.
Smile,
Jimmy T Sends

pila

Quite helpful.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I would not consider at trip to a national park without a lens that gave me at least a 15mm length (FF eq) You are going with a FF eq field of view of 25mm. Take your 10-20 with you.

Also, if you have not already done so, get you parks pass. If you are over 62, get a senior pass. It is good for life! It now costs $80 (I was part of the last group to get them for $10) But it is worth it. You can buy a senior pass at some parks on a visit or you can get one online at:

https://store.usgs.gov/senior-pass

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi group,
I agree with MT Shooter. My wife and I love our Tamron 18-400 on her D7200. We think it's a great all-in-one lens. Take care & ...

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am sure that you want to take the best images that you could since this could be one of your best photographic trips. National Parks have a lot to offer and I am sure you do not want to miss those opportunities.

You have mentioned that you own the Nikon D7500 but you mentioned only one lens, the 18-300 VR as your favorite lens unless we had other choices for you to consider. Perhaps the 18-300 is a very convenient lens for a trip like the one you are about to make but we are all different and each one of us has its own photographic style and taste when it comes to selecting lenses for a trip. Since I do not know which other lenses you have I would like to suggest a wide angle and depending on your experience using wide angles the choice could go to something like a 24mm prime to give you a 36mm perspective with your camera to something wider like a Nikon 10-20 f3.5-5.6 VR in which case you will have a lens that will cover more but you need to know how to use it for best results if you do not already. The 70-300 will cover intermediate to long shots and could be of help if you encounter wildlife photography. Nikon makes a 12-24 f4 AF-S lens that is sharp and useful. I own that lens and I use it in my travels.

In my case I do not want to be limited to just one lens for a trip like that.

F-2 Guy

I think that 'Zoom' lenses limit your abilities in the field, + the depth of field sucks if you have too large an aperture. You should always carry a 50mm F/1:8 for most general photography.

Although I am far from being anything professional, other than a reasonably decent Trim Carpenter, and only an amateur photographer, I have used Nikon prime lenses since the mid 70's for most everything and my go to long range lens is a Nikkor 180 mm ED f/2:8 AI.

These are not expensive anymore and with a Nikon TC 200 teleconverter will get you out to 370 mm. Once again, watch that DOF.

As I see above, wide angle lenses are recommended but these are super expensive for most cameras as you get smaller and smaller towards 13 mm. Invest if that is the type of photography you enjoy.

As a great many people smarter than me have remarked, It is not your gear that makes a good or even great Photograph, It is always the light that rules us and remember to 'Zoom' with your feet.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

You might consider the Tamron 18-400mm F/5.6-F6.3 lens. It is an excellent lens and is pretty light. Check it out.

ICN3S Loc: Cave Junction, OR

👍 Sometimes a trip and a camera are about fun and memories. I don't own that camera or lens but I would think you can get some great photos without breaking the bank or back!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

He already has a Nikkor 10-20mm, which should be sharp enough and wide enough, but I agree he should pack that also.

Harry13

Whether I'm going across town or on a 2500 mile journey, I carry my camera bag. In it, I have two Canon 5D classics and a couple of lens: a 50 1.8, a 28-135 IS, a 70-300 IS (non L) and a 70-200 f 4. And a 1.4 extender. The lens all have protective filters. Plus a card or three.

I 'spose if I was going to the Grand Canyon I'd pick up a 500 or 600 mm prime. In the East/Midwest, which is where I live and shoot, 300 mm with the extender meets my needs. I shoot mostly city and land scapes plus English Cocker and Pointer field trials when I have dogs running. And the occasional cardinal, blue jay or finch.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Oops! Thanks, I missed that.

Harry13

Oh, plus I have a 24mm hanging out somewhere and a battery or two and a car charger. S'why I need a bag. I don't do much in the way of WA though. I started years ago with one lens, an 85mm so I guess I never really think of WA although I do have a 24mm but I seldom use it. It just lives a quiet life in the darkness of my bag, seldom seeing the light of day so for all I know, it's blind. <g>

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

OK, most of the posts start by talking about which lenses they would take. What would help us is to know (1) what types of pictures you like taking and what you hope to do with them; (2) what lenses do you have now and (3) How are you traveling--by car, bus, bicycle, motorcycle etc.? Oh, and a (4) comes to mind is what type of budget do you have if you need to buy another lens. If you think about these issues you may answer your own question or if you tell us we may have more on the point suggestions.

For general photography (some smaller prints and social media and even using them in stories as I do) your 18-305 will probably do a great job. In my opinion changing lenses is overrated unless you're after very specific and very different shots. I've used my Nikon d7100 with a Tamron 18-400 lens for many different travel destinations (including national parks) and it did a great job for what I wanted - things I mentioned earlier).

One thing I would recommend is the low light situation. I think your d7400 is better in low light than my d7100 but your 18-300 is still not a very fast lens. If you think there is any chance you'll be shooting in low light then a smaller fast lens could be helpful. I sacrificed distance for a fast lens a 50mm 1.4 Nikon. This is a relatively inexpensive lens with a very good IQ and it's great in low light (inside Mosques and in nature settings at night).

So unless you're hoping for really professional photographs or very artistic prints you have a very adequate setup and should have a great trip. My advice, keep the photography as simple as possible so you don't miss all the grander you're going to see.

dick ranez

Five national parks on one trip makes me assume you're driving so weight or airline restrictions wouldn't seem to be a problem. Also, national parks indicates beautiful vistas so I would add a wide angle 10-something zoom which you may find you'll use more than you expected. I'd also take a "faster" something, probably a 50mm since the price points for those lenses seems more reasonable than others if only to use where the lighting isn't so great. The 18-300 you have seems to cover most everything else. I'm not a big fan of flash, but if you have one you might as well load it in as it won't take up that much space. By the time you add chargers, filters, lens pens, microfiber wipes and whatever, you should have a bag full that you can leave in the car. Sounds like a great trip, and don't forget to post some "winners" when you return.