Holiday Lens Advice

[Wise]

Am going to Vegas in 4 weeks. Have been looking for a tamron 17-50mm but none have came up in my budget yet (around £200)

So just now I have my d3100 18-55mm kit, 35mm 1.8, 55-200mm zoom and going to take my flash gun too. I know the 18-55mm preforms really well, but the only thing that am worrying about a bit is low light/night/indoor shooting. Do you think I could get away with my 35mm, or would I still be best trying to find a tamron? It's for the filters as well, as I would really need a polarizing filter and the 18-55mm front element rotates

Have been looking at 18-70mm but they do have VR so not really going to help in low light

Anyone got any advice? Leaning more towards getting a travel tripod and a 18-70mm

[MysteryLemon]

The 18-70 is a very nice lens. A good step up in build quality from the 18-55. The 18-135 is also a nice lens if you need the extra length, or you should be able to get the 18-105 VR within your budget. None of them will benefit you much over the 18-55 apart from the differing focal lengths. The VR will be helpful but still not going to make a huge difference in dark situations.

The 35mm is a great all round lens but will be limiting with the set focal length. Also, the faster apature will only be a benefit in certain situations. If you are planning on shooting in the dark outside, you will still need a tripod to steady anyway. Same with using a VR lens.

[nonuts]

Is it the first time you've been? You also need to think about whether you want to be carrying around a camera the whole time. I certainly didn't.

I took most of my favorite pics with my 35mm or 10-20mm but also had a point and shoot when I didn't want to carry the SLR.

If you're just taking one lens I'd take the 35mm and personally unless it's pics of people I can't think when you'd want a flash.

There are some of my vegas pics at the start and end of this set, but totally depends on what you're planning on doing / wanting pics of:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/no-nuts/sets/72157627...

[Wise]

Only real reason am looking for another mid range lens is because the 18-55mm front element rotates, so not going to be very good for using a filter...

Could probably get away with using my 35mm for most low light shots, but it will be a bit limited for indoors shots... But then again thinking about it, the tamron is only a 2.8 at 17mm and the nikon kit's are 3.5 at 18mm so only really one stop and with VR would help a bit as well. So as long as I kept the kit wide open at 18mm and used my feet to zoom then I should be ok..... Hmmmmmm

[Wise]

nonuts said:

Is it the first time you've been? You also need to think about whether you want to be carrying around a camera the whole time. I certainly didn't.

I took most of my favorite pics with my 35mm or 10-20mm but also had a point and shoot when I didn't want to carry the SLR.

If you're just taking one lens I'd take the 35mm and personally unless it's pics of people I can't think when you'd want a flash.

There are some of my vegas pics at the start and end of this set, but totally depends on what you're planning on doing / wanting pics of:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/no-nuts/sets/72157627...

Thanks, yeah its my first time going to the US at all, and taking my camera on holiday. Am also going for 2 weeks so planing on doing a good few trips and hiring a car etc maybe evening going to LA. Wont be carrying it about with me all the time, the misses will be taking her point and shoot as well.

[The Jolly Todger]

Wise said:

Only real reason am looking for another mid range lens is because the 18-55mm front element rotates, so not going to be very good for using a filter...

Could probably get away with using my 35mm for most low light shots, but it will be a bit limited for indoors shots... But then again thinking about it, the tamron is only a 2.8 at 17mm and the nikon kit's are 3.5 at 18mm so only really one stop and with VR would help a bit as well. So as long as I kept the kit wide open at 18mm and used my feet to zoom then I should be ok..... Hmmmmmm

Just because the front element rotates doesn't mean you can't use a polariser. Just lock the focus, rotate the filter and take the picture. Not ideal but not bad.

If I was only taking one from your current selection though it would be the 35mm f1.8. Great lens.

[Wise]

Cheers for the advice.

Managed to get a mint condition sigma 10-20mm of £210 so going to take that my 35mm and my 55-200mm now