Which Nikon D5100 travel lenses make the most sense for China and Nepal?
Asked 3/12/2012
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2 answers
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I’m traveling through China and Nepal with a Nikon D5100 and want a practical, fairly light lens setup for temples/monasteries, landscapes, people, and general sightseeing. I’ll also be outdoors at places like the Great Wall and in the Himalayas, and may shoot from moving vehicles. Budget is limited, so I’d prefer one versatile daytime lens plus possibly a fast lens for low light.
I’m considering:
- Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S for interiors, low light, and people
- Nikon 18-200mm AF-S VR II as a walk-around travel zoom
I’m unsure whether a 50mm prime would be better than the 35mm on APS-C, and whether the 18-200mm is the best choice versus something like the 18-105mm or 16-85mm. I may not truly need 200mm, but I do want flexibility for landscapes and occasional wildlife. I’ll also have a tripod for panoramas, video, and timelapses.
Would this two-lens setup make sense, and are there lighter or better alternatives within a similar budget?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Were I taking this trip, I would need a super wide angle lens, and would be looking at the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X or the same maker's 12-24mm f/4. Combined with the 18 - 200 VR, and my wonderful, cheap and very light 50mm f1.8, I would have most things covered, although I might be cursing having left my 70-300mm at home - oh, no, I think I'll take it too, and find a sherpa to carry it all!
Originally by user8884. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8884
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Your proposed pair is a sensible travel kit for a D5100. The 35mm f/1.8 is a strong choice on APS-C for indoor temples, evening scenes, and people; it’s generally more useful than a 50mm if you want a normal, flexible field of view rather than something tighter.
For daytime travel, the 18-200mm VR is exactly the kind of all-in-one lens many people take for trips like this. Despite mixed chart-based reviews, users often find it performs well in real-world shooting, and the convenience can easily outweigh minor sharpness concerns while traveling.
If you’re unsure about focal lengths, a good way to decide is to review your past photos by focal length and see what you actually use most.
One possible gap in your plan is ultra-wide coverage for dramatic interiors and big landscapes. If that matters to you, a lens such as an 11-16mm or 12-24mm could add something your current choices won’t cover. But if weight and budget matter most, the 35mm f/1.8 plus 18-200mm is a practical, well-rounded setup.
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