Lens recommendation for upcoming vacation?

[macAllen]

Hi guys!

Im planing to purchase my next lens for my Nikon D5100. First off I'm not a pro photographer (obviously from my camera) but I like to call my self an aspiring amateur photographer. Right now in my camera bag I have a 30mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, and my kit lens which I barely use.

I love using my 30mm & 50mm because of the bokeh and large aperture. But what I'm really looking forward in my trip is to take many landscape (tropical trip, Philippines) and as well as portrait photos. So virtually a versatile lens that has some what of a large aperture and short focal length for landscape and as well as a long focal length just incase that picture I'm trying to get is a bit far. Price point would just have to be under 8-900 dollars, as technically my d5100 is a DX sensor.

So is there any lenses that you would recommend based on personal experiences/ownership?

Thanks!

 

[crawler1975]

Hi guys!

Im planing to purchase my next lens for my Nikon D5100. First off I'm not a pro photographer (obviously from my camera) but I like to call my self an aspiring amateur photographer. Right now in my camera bag I have a 30mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, and my kit lens which I barely use.

I love using my 30mm & 50mm because of the bokeh and large aperture. But what I'm really looking forward in my trip is to take many landscape (tropical trip, Philippines) and as well as portrait photos. So virtually a versatile lens that has some what of a large aperture and short focal length for landscape and as well as a long focal length just incase that picture I'm trying to get is a bit far. Price point would just have to be under 8-900 dollars, as technically my d5100 is a DX sensor.

So is there any lenses that you would recommend based on personal experiences/ownership?

Thanks!

For grand landscapes, use a 14-28mm lens or a 10-18mm lens ... have fun in the Philippines (go to places would be Palawan / Boracay for beaches ) ...

 

[El Cabong]

I've been quite happy with the 18-200mm for my past vacations.

 

[Ruahrc]

For landscapes, buy a tripod.

 

[macAllen]

For grand landscapes, use a 14-28mm lens or a 10-18mm lens ... have fun in the Philippines (go to places would be Palawan / Boracay for beaches ) ...

Yes, that actually where I am planing to go! Palawan, and Tao...

I love what the 10-18mm lens brings in a photo, very wide but still landscape photo, however, is there any alternative non-Nikon lens that anyone would recommend that meet that 10-18mm range?

 

[macAllen]

OK, so I did some research on some alternative Nikon lenses.

Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 $499.
The lens says "for Nikon AF with Built-in Motor Digital SLR" Does that mean that it will not focus on my D5100? but the lens is built for DX "Di II" can some one explain this to me please?
http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-10-24m...JI/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1333081913&sr=8-12

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6
Im not so happy about the f-stop right here. Even though I will be outside with abundant light, I always feel safe with a larger aperture.
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-10-20mm...00XK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333083072&sr=8-1

So in general, what brand has a higher quality build and as well as photo quality?

 

[crawler1975]

Yes, that actually where I am planing to go! Palawan, and Tao...

I love what the 10-18mm lens brings in a photo, very wide but still landscape photo, however, is there any alternative non-Nikon lens that anyone would recommend that meet that 10-18mm range?

a very good alternative to Nikon branded lenses is the SIGMA lenses .. they are at least half as cheap but their optics are superb (their EX lines) ...

 

[sl1200mk2]

Yes, that actually where I am planing to go! Palawan, and Tao...

I love what the 10-18mm lens brings in a photo, very wide but still landscape photo, however, is there any alternative non-Nikon lens that anyone would recommend that meet that 10-18mm range?

I just went through this same decision myself. Both my wife and I love wide angle lenses, so I went searching. After reading and watching countless reviews I went with the Tokina 11-16mm. Only been with it for a few days, but absolutely love it so far!

You can pick them up on Amazon for $699. Watch the Youtube reviews and google all the review articles.