Going to Greece. What lens do I take? (Page 2): My mantra is "travel lite, travel right". I would be tempted to take only the pocket camera but your Olympus TG4 only has a 4X zoom...

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

dm6869 wrote:

I just got my first DSLR, a NIKON 3400D with 2 kit... (show quote)

My mantra is "travel lite, travel right". I would be tempted to take only the pocket camera but your Olympus TG4 only has a 4X zoom, but it is f2.0, which is faster than the two Nikon lenses your considering. But the limited range of that Olympus will not let you get those monasteries in the distance. You will need the Nikon 70-300 for those, if you want them.
That leaves a problem, you need the reach and you should have a wide, so, if you are taking the Olympus and the Nikon with the 70-300 your still taking two items. If it was me, I would take only the Nikon camera and both lenses, leave the Olympus at home.
That said, this is why I take my Sony HX90 V, it has a 24-720 mm zoom with built in flash and built pop up view finder. It costs about $450.00 but it is a all in one, small, all purpose vacation camera. Did I mention is also has a Zeiss T* lens, those lenses are great for capturing the true colors of your trip. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

JoeC7100 Loc: Rhode Island

Before you consider going out and buying a lens consider an online rental you would save substantial money on a lens you may not use very often. I am off on vacation my self and decide to rent Nikon's 24-70 f/2.8G for about $120.00 and it retails for about $1,300.00, Enjoy your trip

ELNikkor

Definitely take the 18-55, you will use it for the majority of your photos. The 70-300 only weighs 14 ounces, (the lightest 70-300 on the market!), so take it, it won't bog you down a bit! (If you spend a lot of money on an 18-300 or 18-400 do-it-all lens, a) it will weigh as much as both of your Nikon "P" lenses put together, b) you'll be lugging it "front down" everywhere, as it will make the camera balance front-heavy, and c) you will be being unnecessarily redundant in your kit.

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

This is exactly why I opted for a Panasonic fz1000. I would not suggest that the image quality is as good as my DSLR, but I always have the right lens on a lighter weight camera, and the IQ is always acceptable. The FZ1000 is now selling for about the same price as a DSLR lens in the 18-300/400 range. I tried a well regarded Sigma 18-250 and the quality was not great. I have the DSLR kit (minus the 18-250) for use at home or when ultimate quality counts, but the Panasonic travels with me all the time and I actually use the DSLR very little. The FZ1000 is a fairly large camera so I also have a pocketable camera when I want to be less of a target.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"Take the 18-55. Case closed."

I partially agree. I am quite sure that the 18-55 kit lens will be the lens she will be using more often BUT, there will be occasions when a longer lens will be necessary.
Her only problem is that the 70-300 version she has lacks VR so unless she takes a tripod she risks blurred images. A used 18-200 VR that usually sells for around $200-220 would be a great choice.

cmcaroffino Loc: Sebring, FL

WJShaheen wrote:

I haven't had a chance to take my D7500 out on any traveling yet but wonder what everyone would think of the 18-140mm DX for this lady's trip?

I think it would work great and would be my recommendation for an all round lens, it is sharp and lightweight.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

camerapapi wrote:

"Take the 18-55. Case closed."

I partially agree. I am quite sure that the 18-55 kit lens will be the lens she will be using more often BUT, there will be occasions when a longer lens will be necessary.
Her only problem is that the 70-300 version she has lacks VR so unless she takes a tripod she risks blurred images. A used 18-200 VR that usually sells for around $200-220 would be a great choice.

I agree.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Just my experience, but when I have been on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I have always come back appreciating that I had my longest reach lens with me!

Have a GREAT and SAFE trip!!

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

russjc001 wrote:

I know this is not the answer you are looking for but I would take both. Most of your scenic shots will want to be wide angle. On our trips the majority of my pictures were with a 16-35 wide zoom. My 70-200 was used when I wanted to bring something of interest closer or taking panos. I also pack a travel tripod in my suitcase.

Agree with this response. I too am going to Greece this October. I have done some research on lenses. To shoot the monasteries in Meteora you will need a mid tele photo lens. You will need a wide angle for close-up and interior shots. To capture the Acropolis from the hill (famous shot) you will need a lens between 70 and 135. You will also want to shoot at the beginning and end of the day with exposures too long to handhold with these lenses. You will regret not having a tripod and a remote release. I have the 70-200 f2.8 which is a beast to carry. (After Greece I am walking the hilltowns of central Italy). I am planning to purchase the 70-200 F4 because it is inches smaller and nearly half the weight. These numbers assume Fx so if your camera is DX adjust for that. Enjoy your travels.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

If you can’t take a tripod, you should at least try to find a small hand clamp tripod or beanbag after you land. They’re cheap, so you won’t feel bad leaving it behind.

Andy

ed3 Loc: Belton, MO

Having taken a trip through Greece an Turkey and shot about 7000 pictures, my advice is to take both lens. I used similar lens and did often switch as the shot required. Enjoy the experience, you will relive the trip through the shots you take. Better yet is to journal your experiences and take pictures. On our trip my wife wrote down our experiences and I took the pictures. When we got back from our trip people wanted to know about our trip so my wife married a few pictures of each day with a written description of the events. Around 60 people had requested info about our trip, so she would send an email out chronicling the events. I think we got as much out of reliving the trip as we did in taking the trip. It was amazing how much insight we gained from this secondary revisit of the trip. Enjoy

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

I just came back from Greece having traveled with my D800E, the AF24-120 VR, and the prime AF85mm 1.8D for portraits and extra sharp photos, plus the hoods and extra disks. I have a heavy tripod there. I didn't miss long reach too much. The main problem these days is carrying the equipment safely and undetected. There are wonderful and light backpacks, I used a smart one from B@H made by Lowepro with space for two cameras and three lenses, plus lots of space for documents, wallet and gifts.
Have a safe trip.

JohnD3 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Two years ago my wife and I spent the month of July in Italy and a trip up the Rhine. Preparatory for the trip I took a friends advise and purchased a Nikon 18-200 VR for use on my D7100; best thing I ever did, it covered the entire range of shots I wanted and did it beautifully. I fact even though I have all the lens you mentioned (and then some) the 18-200 has become my go to lens for nearly every occasion.

Here is a link to the Ken Rockwell review that greatly assisted me in making my decision (as well as my friends advise). https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

d3200prime wrote:

Take the 18-55. Case closed.

👍👍👍

Dennis

pappleg

dm6869 wrote:

I just got my first DSLR, a NIKON 3400D with 2 kit... (show quote)

I know this is not part of your question but the one indispensable accessory I take on all travel trips (especially if not taking a tripod) is a beanbag-make it of coarse material (canvas) and fill it with lightweight plastic pellets you can find online. Sized at 4"X4" it will stabilize your camera on most any surface, even vertical posts, and fits in pocket or purse. I have taken nighttime photos of a second or less and it works perfectly. Enjoy your trip and I agree you should take both lenses. If you do not I can almost guarantee you will wish you had.

Pat