Wide zoom advice [Archive] - Talk Photography

andyt70

19-01-2008, 08:43

I'm looking for a decent wide angle zoom to take on holiday, nothing too bulky, dont want to be swapping lenses about so something of the order of 18-250 for around £250 - £300
most of the work will be wide angle landscapes, with the option of decent zoom when needed.

Tall order I know.

Anyone feel like offering advice?
I had looked at this Tamron AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Di II LD Asph (IF) Macro which seems reasonable on paper..

thanks all.

kevshore

19-01-2008, 09:06

There seems to be a few Nikon 18-200mm lenses on ebay at around £300. Great carry around lens. I have one and use it a lot on holidays. There is a bit of an issue with creep, but you learn to live with it.
I tend to prefer Nikon glass. Just my personal choice.

Steep

19-01-2008, 10:49

I reckon you'd be better off with a shorter range wide zoom, the glass is likely to be better quality, I guess it depends how much you would use the long end though.

andyt70

20-01-2008, 10:38

Thanks Steep, would you have any recommendations though?
As for how likely to use the long end? not really sure, as it happens I am thinking I want one for my trip to loch ness in a couple of weeks time. Have been several times before so I know I will love soaking up some nice landscape shots, but just feel I know I will regret not having a zoom when I see some deer or other wildlife off in the distance.
I also dont fancy having to change lenses especially given the likely weather :)

p.s. is there much snow up there yet?

Steep

20-01-2008, 10:46

Plenty snow on the hills, wet everywhere else :)

How about a 17-85 IS? I use one as my walkabout lens.

andyt70

20-01-2008, 13:42

wildtracks

20-01-2008, 13:59

Hmm. My advice would be - keep the 18-70 (its pretty good IQ) and add a 55-200VR. I've seen them as low as £140, which is an absolute bargain. That way you get the VR where you need it and don't have to lump such a big lens around attached to the camera. Its light and small enough, although you might need another bag to carry 2 lenses?
HTH

andyt70

22-01-2008, 23:43

thanks wildtracks appreciate the input, i had thought about something like the nikon 55-200 but one of my aims is to be able to go out especially on holiday with just one lens to cover the landscapes to the wildlife - although the 55-200 at £150ish is far more attractive to the wallet than £300-450 for a 18-200VR
i fear i may end up on this holiday with the 18-70 and just seeing how frustrated i get with shots i cant quite make as i simply cant make my mind up what to buy...

echelvan

23-01-2008, 05:51

i'm hoping it snows more for start of feb :)

i currently have a 18-70 so was looking for a single decent lens covering that range and then some
now got my eye on the nikon 18-200 VR i know a few different lenses would probably be better IQ but hopefully the loss will be minimal compared to risks swapping lenses in wintry highland conditions :)

I know you understand that with a single lens to cover wide-angle to telephoto, you compromise on quality while gaining some convenience. Personally, I prefer a 2 lens setup.

Nikon is rumored to replace the already good 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S with the 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR. That would be my first lens. The second one would be the Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR.

If changing lens is the biggest issue, you could get a second body to mate with the second lens and forget about changing lens. The Nikon D40 would be a sweet second cam.

Cheers,
Elan Elango
http://www.dslrgossip.com