Walk around lens suggestions for a D500 (Page 4): Another vote for the Nikon 24-120.

Drip Dry McFleye

Another vote for the Nikon 24-120.

Kiwi1 Loc: New Zealand

'Walk around lens' is clearly open to wide interpretation. I have a preference for something light weight and wide to short telephoto. On a D7200 I use the excellent nikon16-85 DX VR. While the wide end is 24mm eqiv I sometimes like something a little wider so I purchased a Tokina 12-28 f4 giving me a wide end of 18mm and have been very pleased with it. All the review articles I could fine at the time put this lens in the excellent category with very low distortion. 18mm equiv is very useful for including close forground detail and getting in close for more dynamic composition.

therwol Loc: USA

Bill_de wrote:

Amazing how using a prime instead of a zoom makes you look at things a little more before you press the shutter button.

--

It certainly does, but if you're "walking around" as a tourist, in museums or cathedrals and then outdoors on the street, you may find yourself carrying more than one. I use primes in specific settings. I really like the lighter weight and easier handling. I use a 24-120 on my Nikon D810 when I'm "walking around." I think it would be a decent choice on the DX D500 except for the wide end. Not wide enough in my opinion.

Sir Motley

Tamron 18-200 3.5

DMGill Loc: Colorado

A lot is going to depend on what you are looking for in a walking around lens. If you are interested in versatility but don't care about weight you would be best off with a different lens than if light weight is important to you.

I use two different lenses for a 'walking around' lens on my D500. Depending on what I expect to be shooting, I'll take either the Nikon 28-300mm or the 18-200mm. The obvious difference is the 18-200 has the edge with wide angle while the 28-300 can reach out further for wildlife. The 28-300 is also a lot heavier than the 18-200. I used the 28-300 for photographing some canoe camping trips on Rivers last year with spectacular results. Mine is sharp (even on my D850 except at f20 and 22).

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

AF-S Nikkor 18-300 mm 3.5-5.6 ED VR. It is heavy at 29.3 oz (830 gram). the camera weight is 760 grams. There is 3.8 pounds hanging from your neck . I find it sharp and the combo focus fast.

Kiwi1 Loc: New Zealand

The 24-120 may be the right choice for the D810 but not for the D500. The 16-80 or 16-85 is the 24-120 equivalent for APC sensor cameras. Thing is if you have invested good money in a D500 body you need to be careful to put a good quality lens on it. If you dont want to pay new price then look for the best quality used lens in your budget. Yes primes are great but 'walk around' usually suggests something versitile is where zooms come into their own. I tested the Nikon 17-55 but it is was too limited at both ends for what I wanted. Photography equipment is constantly a compromise so you need to think about what will cover 80 percent of what you expect to encounter on a given day.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I use the Nikon 28-300 mostly but if I know there'll be no need for reach, I prefer the Nikon 24-120.

JoeM845

DaveO wrote:

Yeah, but you're old.

But not past his prime!

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

laschambach wrote:

Looking for suggestions for a versatile walk around lens in a moderate price range. Any great experiences?
Thanks

I have a Tamron 16 - 300. I discovered I was rarely using the higher level focal lengths.

I now use mostly the Tamron 20 - 70 on my D500. It is not light. Quality of the lens, the F 2.8, and the D500 make up for the weight, especially when the lighting is lower than desired.

Bill_de Loc: US

therwol wrote:

It certainly does, but if you're "walking around" as a tourist, in museums or cathedrals and then outdoors on the street, you may find yourself carrying more than one. I use primes in specific settings. I really like the lighter weight and easier handling. I use a 24-120 on my Nikon D810 when I'm "walking around." I think it would be a decent choice on the DX D500 except for the wide end. Not wide enough in my opinion.

Try working with one prime for a day, in different situations. You may be surprised at what you come home with.

--

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

18-200. Available used or refurb at very good prices.

Kiwi1 Loc: New Zealand

Remember we are talking about a D500 here not full frame. If I was to chose a prime lens for the day it would be a 35mm equivalent and thats where the problem starts with the Nikon selection for DX cameras. Read some of Thom Hogans comments in lack of prime lenses for DX. So the best option would be a 24mm FX but they dont come cheap.

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

I like my 24-85, but I'm thinking about a good macro also...

Bill_de Loc: US

Grant Payne wrote:

Remember we are talking about a D500 here not full frame. If I was to chose a prime lens for the day it would be a 35mm equivalent and thats where the problem starts with the Nikon selection for DX cameras. Read some of Thom Hogans comments in lack of prime lenses for DX. So the best option would be a 24mm FX but they dont come cheap.

I don't know Thom from a hole in the wall. I do know the Nikkor 35mm F/1.8. Feels cheap, but sharp as a tack, and very affordable.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-111352-1.html

--