Nikon Lenses for backpacking

[firewolfsm]

I'll be backpacking in SE Asia soon and I'm want to make sure i have the right lenses. Ideally, I would have a WA zoom, the 35, and the 85 1.8. Right now I have a 50mm 1.8D and a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 which I'm trying to sell. I got an offer for 320 on the Tamron, which I could use to buy a Tokina 12-24 maybe.

If you were traveling for a few months, could a 12-24 and a 50mm do the job? It would be a light setup, even with my D300.

 

[jpeyton]

I'd get the Sigma 10-20mm, 35/1.8 and the 55-200VR (or 70-300VR if you can swing it).

 

[Pneumothorax]

Depends if you're doing portraiture mostly or landscapes. Honestly for a DX nikon, any good UWA + 50mm 1.8 would make a great all-purpose kit. I've not used teles as much when travelling, except when shooting animals.

 

[firewolfsm]

Any thoughts on a Bower 14mm + 35mm 1.8 + 50mm?

 

[Dubb]

nikon 17-55 + your 85 1.8. Maybe swap the 85 for a 70-300 if you think you'll have more telephoto shots.

 

[Pneumothorax]

nikon 17-55 + your 85 1.8. Maybe swap the 85 for a 70-300 if you think you'll have more telephoto shots.

Sold the 17-55 after 3 months of ownership when I was still shooting with the D300. I always felt it was either too short or never wide enough. I'd take the 16-85 DX VR + fast prime anyday for travelling. Much more versatile lens. The 17-55 was only used when I would shoot weddings. Too bulky for travel.

 

[soydios]

wide zoom and telephoto zoom. maybe a tiny normal prime.

 

[996GT2]

If you don't want to change lenses: Nikon 18-200

A complete 3 lens kit for $1000: Tokina 12-24, 35 f/1.8 Nikkor OR 50mm f/1.8, 70-300 Tamron VC USD. That'll cover you from ultrawide to tele with good image quality at every setting in between.