Need a cheap, lightweight general purpose zoom for backpacking..

[Destin]

What about the 18-105? Super cheap and I don't remember it being heavy at all. I used that as my walk around lens for a while before I got the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 (also a great lens, IMO).

Used to have one and loved it, but it's a dx lens :/

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And the D810 is full frame.....

No point in buying a lens that only uses part of my sensor.

 

[ac12]

I have a 28-85 AF on my F4. That is a good GP lens.

Here are a few other options:
28-80 Nikon Nikkor 28-80mm F/3.5-5.6 D Late (Minimum Focus 1.32FT) Autofocus Lens {58}
35-105 Nikon Nikkor 35-105mm F/3.5-4.5 Macro Early Autofocus Lens {52}
35-135 Nikon Nikkor 35-135mm F/3.5-4.5 Macro Early 2-Touch Autofocus Lens {62}
I don't know how well they work nor the optics.

If you are already taking the 20 and 50, why not just add a 105 or 135 prime?

 

[chuasam]

ditch the FullFrame, carry a mirrorless like the EM5 II

 

[ac12]

ditch the FullFrame, carry a mirrorless like the EM5 II

I've been looking at the EM10-mk2 or mk3, as a smaller/lighter travel/tweener camera, or a D3400/D5600 which can still use my Nikon lenses.
But the Olympus micro 4/3 lenses are smaller, so the entire package is smaller and lighter.
Besides travel, as I have gotten older, weight has become a major consideration in my gear selection. So I expect that at some point, I will downscale to a m43 system.

By "tweener" camera, I mean something between the pocket size P&S or phone camera and a larger dslr (DX or FX).
What I found is that I will take my P&S because I don't want to carry the heavier and larger dslr. So a "tweener" camera is a camera in between the P&S and dslr in size and weight (bulk), and thus more convenient and likely to be grabbed and used. And thus I shoot more.

 

[Destin]

ditch the FullFrame, carry a mirrorless like the EM5 II

I’ve heavily considered it. But I want to me able to get really good photos of the Milky Way while I’m out there. The D810 is definitely going with me.

 

[Braineack]

And the D810 is full frame.....

click my flickr link and find the Charlottesville album. the majority of those shots are with the 28-105mm D.

look at the zoom range on the Lawn at 28mm and 105mm. look at the fine detail on the church façade image.

 

[Destin]

And the D810 is full frame.....

click my flickr link and find the Charlottesville album. the majority of those shots are with the 28-105mm D.

look at the zoom range on the Lawn at 28mm and 105mm. look at the fine detail on the church façade image.

Wow! Those look great!

I think I might have to pick one of those up!

 

[Braineack]

Like I said, I was going to buy one for my trip, but I have since decided just to bring my big lenses and deal with it. Especially since I'm doing a 4-hour photo tour.

 

[Destin]

I just picked up a 28-80 D on eBay for $25 shipped to my door. For that price I won’t lose money on it even if I don’t like it and I certainly won’t feel bad if I break it while hiking.

I’ll report back when it arrives.