TheDman Loc: USA

Hehe, bingo! I've always thought the same thing.

"What lens for Paris?"
Oh, you'll need the Canon 24-70mm 'Paris' lens, the only one capable of being used in Paris. :)

MtnMan Loc: ID

There are any number of things that are different when you travel including the travel itself, environment (e.g. humidity, sand), subjects, security, and other things that will affect what you will actually use.

For example, on a three-week trip I completed on Sunday I left my D800 and all it's wonderful lenses, my nice stable carbon tripod, and all my lenses but one for my D5300 at home. That turned out to be a great decision. The key fact was portability and the usability on tour was quite limited. I might have been even a little happier if I took the old P500. It was a vacation...not a photojournalists job.

The one mistake was to lug along a tripod...which given the situation I never took out of my duffle bag.

I bring and use all that stuff when I photograph locally.

Likewise when I have travelled to the Caribbean photography has not been my main reason for going. Knowing the subjects I'd want to photograph and the ardors of travel I'd take the same kit there: the D5300 and Sigma 17-50 only. Which is why I recommend the 18-55 for the OP.

Oh, I did take two other things that I would recommend to the OP, although not asked. A CP (lot's of water shots) and a spare battery. Although the latter probably isn't necessary with the D5100 unless you use live view a lot.

On the road again Friday to Florida for a funeral. The only camera with me on that journey will be the phone and ipad ones. Once again it depends on the situation. (Although I have done some great bird trips in this area of Florida and for that bring the Sigma 150-500.)

MarkD Loc: NYC

A lot of people like a superzoom lens for travel. The Nikon 18-200 VR , Nikon 18-300, Sigma 18-250 Macro, Sigma 18-300, Tamron 18-270 VC PZD, and Tamron 16-300 are all worth considering. I'm very pleased with my Sigma 18-300.

Some people like superzooms, and others don't. They aren't as sharp, especially at the long end, as good lower ratio zooms, but many find them to be sharp enough for their needs. If you don't want a superzoom, consider the Nikon 18-140 VR.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would bring the 18-55. It's small and light, and it will get good shots of things close to you. Carrying multiple lenses and changing them while sightseeing can be a nuisance.

I always carry a small camera in a belt case.

Lingen Loc: Grenada, Caribbean

I live in the Caribbean (Grenada). The 18 - 135 (Canon) rarely leaves the camera, partly because of its versatility, partly because of the dust and humidity.
I strongly agree about the Olympus Tough. Excellent and sandproof! Only drawback is that it has no viewfinder, and in the bright sun a screen can be borderline useless.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I bet your 18-55 will be your most used lens. Your 50 and 35mm lenses are very good for low light photography if that will be part of the trip.
The next lens I would carry would be the 55-300.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

I leave on a C cruise tomorrow morning and will take my canon G10! That's it. Then again in while in Asia the US Army issued me a leica 3g and a 50 mm lens. Shot all of asia with it and never needed more.


No need for all that gear when traveling.

I always felt that a long lens on a small island was over kill.

As Capa said:

"If your picture aren't good enough, you aren't close enough."

JPL

I would recommend to bring the 35 mm lens f 1.8 and an 18-200 or 18-300 lens. I would use the 18-200 or 18-300 at daytime and switch to the 35 mm at dusk.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Been to the Carribean a lot and didn't have a DSLR then. Will be going in October and now have a DSLR and similar lenses. I might leave them all at home and take my two point and shoots. One is waterproof. If I did take my DSLR, I would take my 18-140 and 35 mm lens for low light shots. I don't enlarge many photo's and primarily share them via email with family and friends. That's just me though. With your current lens selection, I would go with the 18-55 and the 35. Save the money for your trip.

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The Nikon 18-300 (with op-tec strap) is my standard travel lens--it covers most everything, but it may be too heavy for some (thus the op-tec). The Tamron and Sigma versions are considerably lighter and less expensive, but have somewhat less range. All are rated about the same by dpreview.com.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I would always opt for at least one lens with some reach. I've traveled to the Caribbean extensively and found that my favorite pictures are really the seal life (whales, dolphins, flying fish, turtles, etc.) that you see everywhere. I also like the more candid street pics of the people who live there.

But you will want some scenery shots as the ocean and sunsets are wonderful so cover that too.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

This is really a personal preference thing and one that would be easier for you if you had some sense of your shooting style but I suspect that you, like me, haven't quite nailed it down yet.

For what it's worth, I only have three lenses, the 18-55, the 55-300, and the 35 f1.8. Even with degenerative arthritis in both knees this is not a real burden to lug around and until I have a grip on what I want to shoot with and when, I will continue to take them all.

As was mentioned in my previous post, the 18-55 is a handy focal length and others in this thread have echoed the same sentiment, so by all means, take it. I was truly at a loss in St. Thomas until we found a camera shop and bought the new and improved version (the new one has VR). It's not the sharpest crayon in the box but will take very respectable pics if you give it a lot of light. The same applies (at least for me) with the 55-300. You would have to spend your vacation budget to get something of better significance and image quality IMHO but l do let us know what you decide. :-)

Tom47 Loc: Gettysburg, PA

I would go with the 18-300 and a 35mm 1.8, these will cover anything that the caribbean has to offer. Both are great lenses and will provide great range. I have learned to travel light and only take 2 lenses and one body either a D90 or 7100 a few filters.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Therein lies his dilemma Tom. With the exception of the 50mm, he has the exact same lenses that I do and the big zoom is 55-300. If it were the 18-300 I would totally agree with you.

Maybe that could be an option though, trade in the 55-300 for a lens with less reach on the bottom. That would solve a host of problems.

What do you think DrD? Would that work? Having 11 kids I really hate to suggest that you throw money at the problem but you did mention that it was an option...

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I spent time in Sicily with a similar camera, the Nikon D3100, and both kit lenses. I found the 18-55 the most useful for landscapes, architecture, processions, etc. I don't think I ever used the 55-200 (my kit lens) during the trip.