Best walkabout lens for Nikon DX ?

Hertsman

Hertsman

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I have the standard non VR 18/70 and its an ok lens.

Body is a D300.

Mine sadly has some mould on the front leNS which removed the coatings internally, so Im considering upgrading as we are off to Venice in a few weeks.

Would prefer to buy used, so any thoughts welcomed.
 
16-85 or 35mm f1.8g
 
I also tend to stick my 35mm on most times if travelling light. Sometimes go with my 18-105mm
 
:agree: with the 16-85. A decent range & not too heavy or bulky.
 
If you're wanting longer, rather than wide, what about a 70-300?
 
OldCarlos said:
If you're wanting longer, rather than wide, what about a 70-300?
Click to expand...

Have on those as well. but was trying to :
a- not take the long one on hols
b-replace the 18/70 with something newer/better/shinier....
 
How about an 18-55 VR kit lens? There are lots of them on the second-hand market (as people upgrade) and yet it's a very versatile and lightweight lens - perfect for travelling.
 
I think the 16-85mm is the best all round lens for DX. I've bought one twice, because I think it is the best lens. The 16mm is surprisingly wider than the many 18mm options, equivalent to 24mm angle of view on a FX camera. The 85mm nicely overlaps the 70-300mm lens many people have, and limits the need to change lenses as often. If I had the money I would get the new 16-80mm, as I think it is an improvement, but for me they have set the price too high. I would have been tempted to try and get that lens with the D500, but they were knocking very little, if anything at all off, so not for me atm. Or ever if the price doesn't come down. :(

If the link to my images on 500px is below, that has many images of Venice. Almost all were taken with the 16-85mm. Imho, 35mm wouldn't be wide enough for the narrow alleys, canals and squares.
 
Another 18-70? Or an 18-200 to cover most bases and reduce (or even remove) the need for lens changes which increase the chances of dusty sensor.
 
When I first bought my D300s 6 years ago, I also bought an 18-200VR to go with it. For an all rounder you can't go far wrong with it, quite comapct (ish) and not too heavy.
 
I think Ive narrowed it down to either replacing the current 18/70 for another newer version OR the 16/85....

16/85 would be another hundred or so on top of the hundred for a used 18/70....

Thoughts ?
 
Hertsman said:
I think Ive narrowed it down to either replacing the current 18/70 for another newer version OR the 16/85....

16/85 would be another hundred or so on top of the hundred for a used 18/70....

Thoughts ?
Click to expand...

Did you have any problems with your existing 18-70? If not, get one.
If you did, do you think those problems will be sorted by getting a 16-85. If so, get one.

Alternatively: want to know if an extra £100 will make any difference and can afford to give it a try? Get the 16-85

Those are my thoughts ;)
 
On my Nikon DX body, my most used lens is a Sigma 17-50 2.8. I can get nice bokeh when wide open, a reasonable reach if doing street/action as it's DX, it's light and unobtrusive, although it doesn't compress the perspective, it's very sharp and fast, which suits my style.

It's a very subjective question you've asked - it's all about the style of photography you like, as this will dictate the best type of lens! ;)
 
Hertsman said:
I think Ive narrowed it down to either replacing the current 18/70 for another newer version OR the 16/85....

16/85 would be another hundred or so on top of the hundred for a used 18/70....

Thoughts ?
Click to expand...

I found the 16-85mm a big improvement on the 18-70mm. The VR is very useful too, which the 18-70mm does not have. The biggest plus for me though is the wider angle of view with the 16mm. Imho the 16-85mm is worth well more than a hundred pounds than the 18-70mm if it is in good condition.
 
16-85mm is my recommendation. On my 3rd one now! Everytime I move away from a Nikon and end up getting another one this is the first lens i buy! Others worth considering are maybe the 18-105 or 18-140 and if you budget will stretch the 18-300? Lots of convince with that one as the possible cost of image quality.
 
Ok, so anyone got a 16-85 for sale or a link to a good deal ?

MBP have one for £244 and like to keep the price down if possible....
 
Bought what looks to be a mint 16/85 with box and everything for £215 delivered.....
 
redhed17 said:
That looks like a very good deal. ☺

I bought both of mine for about twice that, but I bought new.

Please let us know what you think of it. ☺
Click to expand...

Fly to Venice 13/05, prepare for pics....

If they half as good as your set I will be over the moon.....
 
Bit too late now but one has just come up in the classifieds on here - always the way ;)
I'm sure you will be happy with the one you have just bought - one lens I will always keep while I have DX bodies.
 
Last edited:
Hertsman said:
Fly to Venice 13/05, prepare for pics....

If they half as good as your set I will be over the moon.....
Click to expand...
Thanks, very kind. :oops: :$ :)

If you need any tips let me know. I've been lucky enough to have been there 5 times, and thankfully I was on my own, so saw quite a bit of it all. ;) :) My biggest tips are walk as much as you can, and look about, especially behind you, as you sometimes miss stunning by having a bit of tunnel vision as you walk down the many alleyways. Enjoy the silence, it is amazing to go somewhere where, if you don't want to, you don't have to see or hear cars.

Careful though, it can be addictive, hence the 5 visits. ;) :LOL:
 
Got back a bit earlier today.

What can I say ?
The16/85 was/is the perfect walkabout - for Venice in particular.

Plus, what a breath taking beautifull city.

I could shoot the place for weeks and still not duplicate.

Every togger should visit.

BUT - not in peak season. It was busy now and we were extermely gratefull to retire to the island of Giudecca in the evenings and get away from the touristica.....
 
Thanks for coming back and updating us. Glad that you had a nice time. :)

It is such a beautiful city, and no way could anyone see everything in one visit. Be careful though, after five visits I had to try and go other places. ;) :rolleyes: :LOL: I found Oct/Nov and Apr good times to visit. I did also visit once in Dec, but while it was a lot less busy, the days were short, and obviously a bit chilly. It was still very warm in Oct/Nov and April. Never been during the high summer months so don't know how the amount of Tourists compare.

I think the 16-85mm is the perfect lens for any city holiday, so I'm glad you found it useful for Venice. :)

Hope you got some pics that you are happy with. The experience of the place stays with you always though. ;)
 
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