WHAT GOES/WHAT STAYS - TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

[Nici]

The old question - quantity versus quality and more or less I'm in the same predicament. I like to travel light mostly cause I travel solo and not all that young anymore. I'm torn between taking my Nikon 35mm Prime lens apposed to my Sigma 18-250mm Zoom. I'll be taking a lot of nature shots some landscapes, but not sure if my very light an convenient 35 will live the expectations. Any suggestions out there? By the way, I know some will suggest me taking both, but I wouldn't want to constantly switch between lenses either. Ohhh and another by the way, my work buddy is a Nikon D7100.

 

[tirediron]

If all you want are happy snaps, then the 18-250 would be the way to go, but if your goal is quality images, then I suspect both choices will disappoint; the 35 due to its restrictive nature, and the 18-250 from an IQ perspective.

 

[robbins.photo]

Of the two I'd probably take the Sigma 18-250. The 35 would give higher image quality I'm sure but I think yo'd find the focal length fairly limiting.

 

[robbins.photo]

Another option would be to consider possibly adding another lens to your collection, when I'm travelling light I use a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8, it's fantastically sharp and takes great photos. I bought the old non-vc version without the built in focus motor, snagged it for $100 off of ebay. Best part about the 7100 is that it will use a lot of those older lenses that the 3xxx and 5xxx won't, so a lot of times you can get those lenses dirt cheap from Ebay, KEH and other sources.

 

[Nici]

If all you want are happy snaps, then the 18-250 would be the way to go, but if your goal is quality images, then I suspect both choices will disappoint; the 35 due to its restrictive nature, and the 18-250 from an IQ perspective.

Makes sense. May I ask what you mean by an IQ perspective? The idea is not just happy snappy's but also something worth while. As I'm still in the learning phase, I can do with as much advice as I can get. The aim is to improve my photography and I'm open to all suggestions and advice.

 

[robbins.photo]

If all you want are happy snaps, then the 18-250 would be the way to go, but if your goal is quality images, then I suspect both choices will disappoint; the 35 due to its restrictive nature, and the 18-250 from an IQ perspective.

Makes sense. May I ask what you mean by an IQ perspective? The idea is not just happy snappy's but also something worth while. As I'm still in the learning phase, I can do with as much advice as I can get. The aim is to improve my photography and I'm open to all suggestions and advice.

IQ means image quality. The sigma 18-250 like most all around lenses won't be as sharp and the overall image quality won't be as good as you can get from a prime lens like a 35mm.

 

[Nici]

Another option would be to consider possibly adding another lens to your collection, when I'm travelling light I use a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8, it's fantastically sharp and takes great photos. I bought the old non-vc version without the built in focus motor, snagged it for $100 off of ebay. Best part about the 7100 is that it will use a lot of those older lenses that the 3xxx and 5xxx won't, so a lot of times you can get those lenses dirt cheap from Ebay, KEH and other sources.

Thank you for the advice. I sure will keep that lens in mind. The trade off on the Sigma zoom is definitely sharpness versus the prime. Appreciate your feedback.

 

[robbins.photo]

Another option would be to consider possibly adding another lens to your collection, when I'm travelling light I use a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8, it's fantastically sharp and takes great photos. I bought the old non-vc version without the built in focus motor, snagged it for $100 off of ebay. Best part about the 7100 is that it will use a lot of those older lenses that the 3xxx and 5xxx won't, so a lot of times you can get those lenses dirt cheap from Ebay, KEH and other sources.

Thank you for the advice. I sure will keep that lens in mind. The trade off on the Sigma zoom is definitely sharpness versus the prime. Appreciate your feedback.

No worries, happy to help.

 

[Nici]

If all you want are happy snaps, then the 18-250 would be the way to go, but if your goal is quality images, then I suspect both choices will disappoint; the 35 due to its restrictive nature, and the 18-250 from an IQ perspective.

Makes sense. May I ask what you mean by an IQ perspective? The idea is not just happy snappy's but also something worth while. As I'm still in the learning phase, I can do with as much advice as I can get. The aim is to improve my photography and I'm open to all suggestions and advice.

IQ means image quality. The sigma 18-250 like most all around lenses won't be as sharp and the overall image quality won't be as good as you can get from a prime lens like a 35mm.

Thanx. Now I get it. Yes I agree the 35 is nice and sharp but restricted. Someone mentioned the Tamron 17 - 50. Any thoughts on that from your side.

 

[robbins.photo]

Here's a sample I took recently using the 17-50:

20160317 029 by Todd Robbins, on Flickr

 

[Nici]

Here's a sample I took recently using the 17-50:

20160317 029 by Todd Robbins, on Flickr

Wow awesome... Love the detail. Any landscapes you can share?

 

[robbins.photo]

Wow awesome... Love the detail. Any landscapes you can share?

Not really a big landscape shooter myself, mostly critters. Think the closest I got to a landscape would be this:

20150907 III 232 by Todd Robbins, on Flickr

Dang Elk photobombed me though.. lol

 

[tirediron]

If buying another lens is on the table, then an excellent and very inexpensive (used) suggestion would be the Nikon 18-70. This was the kit lens that came with the D70 way back when, and is, IMO, the absolute best kit lens ever. The build-quality is so-so; what you'd expect, but the IQ is fantastic. It's a bit slower at f3.5-4.5, but I never found that to be an issue.

 

[Nici]

Wow awesome... Love the detail. Any landscapes you can share?

Not really a big landscape shooter myself, mostly critters. Think the closest I got to a landscape would be this:

20150907 III 232 by Todd Robbins, on Flickr

Dang Elk photobombed me though.. lol

Nice and sharp. I assune this is the 17-50 at work?..I really like the clarity of the shot. I'm impressed. Thanx for the info. I appreciate it.

 

[robbins.photo]

Nice and sharp. I assune this is the 17-50 at work?..I really like the clarity of the shot. I'm impressed. Thanx for the info. I appreciate it.

As I recall I think I shot this one with the Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8.