Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1166860-REG/nikon_af_s_dx_nikkor_16_80mm.html?ap=y&gclid=CjwKCAjwwo7cBRBwEiwAMEoXPElAOA1Au0YWpYf64MrRk0o7riCCRTuxtkMgSUcLADcDaIWtg14L_BoCIYUQAvD_BwE&smp=y

I have a D500 I use this Nikon lens as my walk around. I used to have the older 18-200 vrii and have not once missed the longer reach with the 16-80 mm (I use my feet!)

Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

Thanks everyone for the input. I still have my 18-200 i can carry with my on my vest that will give me a little more reach. You all answered the real question I had which is will I run into wildlife out on the hikes (sounds like i might). I am not a big fan of the superzooms but to be honest I haven't tried some of the newer versions. I had the Tamron 18-270 pzi but sold it when I got the Nikon 18-200 vrii.

ELNikkor

18-200 for hikes, show us what you got when you come back!

Dossile

To get good shots of wildlife in Yellowstone, you don’t need to hike much. I have great shots of bison standing next to the door to one of the back lodges at Canyon. In the Lamar Valley, I have plenty of shots from my car. A shorter lens doesn’t help much if your after wildlife. To get close enough to bison or bear to make a shorter lens take photos that pop is dangerous when hiking. I can’t tell you the stupid things I’ve seen people do. There are books about dumb things people do in Yellowstone that you can pick up on Amazon. With other animals, they’ll scatter or go into their hole before you can get a shot off. But personally, I don’t enjoy hiking with a big lens like a 150-600. In my opinion, the best hikes in Yellowstone are not in Lamar Valley. I did see a Grizzly and cub from a distance meander along a slope on a hike there. But generally, I consider it a great place for drives. A couple hikes there do give you a nice panorama. The hikes in Yellowstone that I enjoy most have been to waterfalls (ie around Canyon or Tower Falls), or smaller lakes (around Canyon), or geysers/hot pots (ie around Norris Basin, Old Faithful). Stunning. The smaller lens and a tripod or monopod gets you some great nature shots on these hikes. I used to see elk and moose on these trails, but there numbers are down due to changes in Grizzly behavior. So for me, I hike with equipment to do landscape photography and drive with a lens for wildlife. If wildlife is your only passion, take a few Advil and the 150-600 and enjoy the hike. One piece of unsolicited advice. If it were my first time to Yellowstone, I would spend one sunrise driving the Lamar Valley taking a short early morning hike and another with a tripod set up at Painters Point shooting the falls. The early rays run right down the canyon creating contrasting shadows before illuminating the falls this time of year. Driving to the falls from either direction usually gets you some nice shots of wildlife in the early morning as a bonus. I’m hoping to slip away for a weekend coming up, I love Yellowstone in the fall. Maybe I’ll see you there.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Lamar Valley is one of the more peaceful places in the park, albeit there is plenty of traffic in season. It also offers some of the best hikes in the park from Specimen Ridge area, to Slough Creek, Trout Lake, Pebble Creek and on and on. For a warm up on your way out, the Yellowstone River Picnic Area Hike is one of the best kept secrets in the park!

awis01

I'm in favor of the big glass. As one of the replies said you don't want to takea picture of a grizzly with the 80 mm

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I've been to YSNP many times, last was in May, great time for bears. I take three lens, Nikon 18-200 VR II, AF-P 70-300 FF and Tamron 150-600 G2. I traded my 18-300 for the 70-300, it's lighter and sharper. We sat in our pickup in a herd of cows and calves Bison which at times were 5ft from us, loved it. We use a pool noodles on the windows to steady the cameras. Have a great time is an amazing park.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

A 150-600 is a great lens for anywhere that you may find wildlife, including Yellowstone. But it's a poor choice for hiking. It will bog you down. If you carry a daypack of some sort and don't mind the weight you might want to toss it in. But you will almost certainly need a tripod to stabilize it as well in spite of the VC feature, adding even more weight. And remember, you'll be hiking at 8,000 feet or more elevation. Certainly a consideration when packing more weight. Personally, when hiking, I carry a Tamron 16-300 attached to my 7500. This combination is relatively small and lightweight considering the wide focal range. Since you have 21 mpx, cropping is not out of the question to bring the animals closer. And honestly, for me, hiking in Yellowstone requires something a little more potent than bear spray. Have a great trip. And bring lots of memory. It's easy to fill a card there. And if you get down to the Tetons, definitely get the sunrise. You won't regret getting up early for it.

Dossile

What Dave O says is very true, they are nice hikes. Living in the west I get spoiled. The Lamar Valley hikes have beautiful but fairly common scenery for the Rocky Mountains. These are serene and beautiful areas. I just tend to look for high points when hiking that are absolutely unique to Yellowstone.

wetreed

The best choice for you would be the Tamron 18-400. It covers every focal length you would need and is a lot lighter and more compact than the 150-600. If you are just going to shoot wildlife go with the 150-600, but the 18-400 will allow you to be ready for a lot more. After using the 18-400 for six weeks I can recommend it very highly.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

The 16-80 mm ( I assume Nikon) lens is an excellent lens and will cover many photographs. It is my go to lens. For wild life you might like to consider a Nikon 70-300 or Sigma 100-400 these are smaller lighter lenses that just might do the job. Incidentally, I have a nice picture of a group of elk taken at 55mm.

WaM_Photo Loc: Sandia Park, New Mexico

I spent 10 days in Yellowstone last summer. The lens that never seemed to leave my camera and proved to be good for both wildlife and landscapes was my Nikon 28mm-300mm lens. I shoot a Nikon d750.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I used my D7200 with my 18-200 VR ll most of the time, but in my sling pack I had my D7000 with my 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR and a mono pod, and a 50 f/1.4 if I needed more light.
Also used the same combo two years ago in Glacier.
Duane

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

The suggestions above are good ones. There was another bear attack this last week so don't forget your bear spray. Have a great time.

steinr98

All said and done, I have the Tamron 18-400 A "SUPER" walk around lens. if you can afford it, that is the key lens to have with you- forget the 150 to 600 it will drag you down because of the weight especially on a hike in the mountain areas. I know the 600mm is great to have but... 400 is a bit mor than the old 28-300's etc. the extra from a 300mm to 400mm is a plus. The Tamron 18-400 gives the best of both worlds for near and far. It is a pretty darn sharp lens- Not the top of the line of the Canon or Nikon lenses but pretty darn sharp!! If the hikes are very strenuous, you will croak with the 150-600!! it does no good in a backpack so you will have to carry it out front and that could be a problem unless you are Charles Atlas. Keep it in the car just in case- that is a plus!! Good luck - A great trip!!