DSLR lens choice

[gnik]

Hi all. I'm heading to the Annapurna Sanctuary in October & spending time in the KTM valley either end of the trek.

My Nikon D80 DSLR camera will be coming with me. If you were to take a single, all purpose lens, would you take:

1) The Nikon 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 VR2 (full frame equivalent 28-300mm) or
2) The Nikon 16-85 3.5-5.6 VR2 (full frame equivalent 24-128mm)?

I feel the 18-200 would be more versatile & offer more opportunity for candids, but the 16-85 apparantly has better image quality & a wider angle at the short end for those mountain views.

What do ya reckon??

[Escher]

I'd take the 18-200. The extra 2mm at the wide end of the other lens will make hardly any difference compared 18mm. Although you might have better picture quality with the second lens you will have opportunities to take different subjects with 200m. Mountain close-ups, portraits, architecture details etc. Ask yourself:- would you rather have better image quality but reduce your picture taking opportunities or more opportunities and less quality? In any case much of the quality can be down to technique and the photographer. You only really maximise the use of a lens when you have your technique down and can get the best of your equipment. If you have all this sorted then you probably would already have the lenses!

[keanu]

i agree with escher. although 16-85mm lens produce much better picture quality compare to 18-200mm lens, but u may miss the opportunity of getting close view of the mountains, wild animals & birds u may possibly encounter in the route.
it'll be ideal to carry two separate lens but it may add up extra weight on u....so i would rather opt for 18-200mm vr.

[Oli]

I agree also.

And if I was going to take a 2nd lens then I think I'd go for a 50mm fixed length but with a faster f-stop for indoor low light non-flash pics. The f1.8 would be a nice improvement on f3.5-5.6, but if you have a collection of VR lenses then you are maybe rich enough to shell out for the f1.4

[gnik]

Thanks for the replies.

I bought a 2nd hand 18-200 but could exchange it for the 16-85 if I wanted. I should mention that the 16-85 is a little smaller and lighter than the 18-200 (roughly 100g) which is also a consideration.

However, I tend to agree with the replies; I'd rather get a shot with the 18-200 & sacrifice some image quality than miss the shot altogether 'cos I lack the range.

As suggested, I have also been looking at a fast prime (e.g. a Sigma 30mm 1.4 or Nikon 50mm 1.8) for low light / subject isolation.

[Petrus]

I like wide-angles, I would take the better quality, lighter 16-85. I used to carry 20, 50, 135 and 300mm lenses in the old days, ended up using only 20 and 135.

For a faster available light lens try to get as wide as possible, mostly you need them inside buildings and gompas, where 50mm is next to useless with a small sensor DSLR.

[curehead]

I have the Canon 350D and was wondering what lenses I should take on the EBC trek. I have the following:
18-55mm kit lens
50mm fixed focal and
10-22mm ultra-wide angle.

I will most definitely take the wide angle but am just wondering if it is worth taking the other two given that i need to keep the weight down as much as possible. then again the 50mm weighs almost nothing.

ok, i guess the question is, shall i leave the allround kit lens at home?

[Petrus]

Out of those 3, yes, if the 50mm is faster.

[daras]

Hi,
We will visit Nepal Sept/Oct (4 weeks). We plan to take EF70-200 f/4L and EF17-40 f/4L lens. What about filters? Shall we take UV or polarised filters?

Escher: As I remember you have the same lens. What is your opinion/experience?

daras

[Petrus]

With digital cameras UV filter is usefull only as protection, as the sensors are not sensetive to UV wavelengts. For that reason there are now protection filters without the UV filtering effect available. That said, UV filtering does not do any harm, just makes the filter (marginally) more expencive to make.

Polarizer is usefull for effects, with the right light angle, 90 degrees away from the sun, you can make the already darkesh blue sky almost black.

[Escher]

We plan to take EF70-200 f/4L and EF17-40 f/4L lens. What about filters? Shall we take UV or polarised filters?

Escher: As I remember you have the same lens. What is your opinion/experience?

daras

Petrus has said it all already. But having dropped my macro lens on its end and busted the filter but fortunately not the front element I would definitely advise a UV filter for protection!

I did have polarising filters too but I think they are of limited use at altitude. I guess if you take them you might use them but if you don't you can't! But you certainly don't need one. I did find a use for them added to an ND filter to extend the shutter speed for water shots, but my results were rubbish so I needn't have bothered. The only other time I used it was for this picture near Manang and another one near to Jomsom (any excuse to post some more pictures :rolleyes: ), other than that I only used polarisers in Pokhara and Kathmandu.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2371061503_0c54beced1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/2364407578_678381177b_b.jpg

[Anyone]

Hi,

I would suggest to buy a triphood for the 18-200, for long distance "close up" at 200 mm (wich must be around 300 mm I guess) shaking at 5,6 is inevitable and he shots are gone easily.

There are plenty of light weight triphoos areound who are relatively small. I sometimes use even a table triphood on a rock, table or other surface. It all helps to get sharper pictures.

The polarization filter is very useful in high places, also I would look after the white balance, you surely can adjust it on your camera according to situation (with Canon you can, so sure also with Nikon).

Enjoy the trip and the new lenses!

Anyone








Thanks for the replies.

I bought a 2nd hand 18-200 but could exchange it for the 16-85 if I wanted. I should mention that the 16-85 is a little smaller and lighter than the 18-200 (roughly 100g) which is also a consideration.

However, I tend to agree with the replies; I'd rather get a shot with the 18-200 & sacrifice some image quality than miss the shot altogether 'cos I lack the range.

As suggested, I have also been looking at a fast prime (e.g. a Sigma 30mm 1.4 or Nikon 50mm 1.8) for low light / subject isolation.

[marcy]

I just bought a 70-200 F4 lens today. (shooting with the new canon 50D DSLR). Two questions: First, I wanted a UV filter just for protection and the guy in the store sold me a rather expensive one swearing i wanted a good quality filter. Second -- any suggestions for a good easy camera cover for carrying when the 70-200 is on the camera.

[keanu]

I am doing ABC trek early next year, and planning to buy Nikon D90 with:
1. 11-16mm Tokina f2.8
2. 16-85mm VR Nikon
3. 70-300mm VR Nikon

I know its gonna be bit tough to carry all these lenses along with my own rucksack (70L), but am willing to take it as a challenge coz i ruined all my pics taking P&S camera in my last trip. It is just not worth. Any thought guyz? has anyone does this before....ur input will be very helpful.

cheers
keanu

[peteris]

I am doing ABC trek early next year, and planning to buy Nikon D90 with:
1. 11-16mm Tokina f2.8
2. 16-85mm VR Nikon
3. 70-300mm VR Nikon
...
keanu

It seems ok for me. I anticipate that 16-85 will be on most of the time, but as for me, sometimes you definitely need long lens (and some times also very wide). I know that next time I will go with maybe even more serious/heavy kit.
As for 18-200 discussed before - I was with 18-200 in Khumbu and, although versatile, quality isn't very good. Also it's really at 200 mm only if focused to infinity. Between 18 and 16 mm is quite a difference, also 18-200 at 18 mm have very strong distortion. I would go for quality, with only doubt about changing lenses on dusty trail (when you are tired and with heavy backpack - but then you will notice some pheasant and will feel strong enough to run after him :).
18-200 have VR and it isn't so hard to keep it steady. And with newer DSLR's you can set ISO higher than before. I used tripod only for HDR or near sunset/sunrise.