Going to Vegas - What lens to take?

AdamCaudill

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I'm going to be going to Vegas for a week and I'm thinking about renting a lens to take with me. Renting a fast zoom seems like the think to do - though not sure which would be best. Here's what I've got now:

  • Camera - Nikon D80
  • AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
  • AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D
  • Sigma 100-300mm f/4.5-6.7 UC

Between the two zoom lenses I've got pretty good coverage though both are slower than I'd like to do street photography at night - which I imagine will be the bulk of what I'll be doing.

What do you think? What's the best lens for this trip?
 
Out of what you have, the 18-135 would be the best. You're going to need the wide end if you want to get the casinos and their "bling" in the frame, and 135mm should be plenty of zoom for most scenarios. It's not a particularly fast lens, but for night shots you'll be on a tripod anyway (I hope) making the speed a non-issue.
 
I've been to Vegas twice and just as a general thought here...the "Vegas strip" is lit up like daytime and although the 135mm 5.6 is "slow" it MAY not be a huge factor depending on your subjects. At ISO 400 you will most likely need to be wide open but still fine for stationary subjects and photographing hotels with their millions of lights. I AM JUST A BEGINNER AT DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY so please remember this is just a general thought. I did shoot FILM ASA 400 with a 80-200mm f4/5.6 a few years back without a tripod ( Las Vegas) and was not a problem. BUT a monopod or tripod would have been nice. Safety concern: Be very very wary of wandering off the strip especially at night! It is a deceiving environment so stay smart and safe, please!
 
you can probably leave the tele at home, when I was in vegas I didn't have mine with me and I didn't notice I really missed it. Take the 18-135 and 50, that should be all you need.
 
And as another post said the 18-135 is your best choice I believe. Getting far enough away was probably the most common problem I encountered. Are you venturing away from Las Vegas? Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire or Grand Canyon?
 
IIRC, the Hoover Dam is only about 30 miles away from Vegas. It is well worth going a little out of your way to see it. Day or night, it is spectacular!
 
Are you venturing away from Las Vegas? Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire or Grand Canyon?

I won't be able to get away as much as I would like - I'm going for a conference and will be tied up till about 6PM every day that I'm there. So I should be able to get out in the evenings but unfortunately during the day I'm going to be tied up.

I've been to Vegas twice and just as a general thought here...the "Vegas strip" is lit up like daytime and although the 135mm 5.6 is "slow" it MAY not be a huge factor depending on your subjects. At ISO 400 you will most likely need to be wide open but still fine for stationary subjects and photographing hotels with their millions of lights.

Though I've done a lot of traveling this will be my first trip to Vegas - I've heard about how bright it is, but wasn't sure if it would be enough. I really like the range of the 18-135 as it covers the majority of "normal" shots - but it is on the slow side.

I'm still somewhat tempted to rent seomthing like the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 AF-S ED DX - though it doesn't have near the range, being able to at f/2.8 does offer up a few upsides. But, if there really is enough light to shoot with the 18-135, I would hate to spend the $100+ to rent a lens for nothing.
 
I think the wider the better. Bring a tripod and get some shots at the Bellagio of the fountains at night, Its incrediable.
 
Hey, I'm going on Tuesday and am bringing a bag with four lenses...go to Red Rock for an afternoon. Just a little drive from the city, and the picture-taking there is great.
 
The following was taken with a 55-250mm @F4, 1/10, ISO 100, handheld.
Offering it as an example, and this certainly wasn't a "bright light" situation.

3714732607_d466e501ef_o.jpg
 
The following was taken with a 55-250mm @F4, 1/10, ISO 100, handheld.
Offering it as an example, and this certainly wasn't a "bright light" situation.

Nice shot - and point well taken. I think I'll stick to the gear I've got and use the 18-135 as the main lens. It should do what I need.

Thanks for all the feedback!
 
Im planning on making a trip to Las Vegans in February. If you can post some pics so I can have ideas of where to shoot at.
 

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