So I've been shooting with my D7500 for a few years now and I usually just swap between my 35mm prime and the old 18-55 kit lens but man I just booked this big trip to Italy for next month and I'm starting to panic a bit. I thought I had my kit dialed in but I went for a hike last weekend to test things out and realized I absolutely hate swapping lenses in the wind and dust. It's such a pain. I love the sharpness of the 35mm but it’s too tight for some of those narrow streets and then the kit lens feels kinda soft when I really zoom in.
I'm looking for that one holy grail DX lens that can stay on the body 90% of the time. I’ve heard people talk about the 18-140mm but is the image quality actually decent or is it just a convenience thing? Or maybe that Sigma 17-50mm f2.8? I really need something that can handle low light for those old churches but also get some wide shots of the coast. My budget is around 700 bucks give or take and I'm totally okay with used gear if it's solid. Anyone have a setup they swear by for long walking days where you don't wanna carry a bag full of glass? I really don't want to miss shots because I was busy fumbling with rear caps...
If you are willing to go used, ignore the 18-140 and grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR. I have been incredibly satisfied with mine for years. It is basically the gold standard for DX travel glass. That 16mm wide end is a lifesaver in tight European streets... those extra 2mm dont sound like much on paper but they are huge for architecture. Plus, the Nano Crystal Coat handles flare way better than the kit lens ever could. Its got a fast f/2.8 aperture at the wide end which works well for low light churches, and the 4-stop Vibration Reduction is super solid for handheld shots when you cant use a tripod. You can find them used for around $500 these days, well within your $700 budget. TL;DR: Grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR. It has better range than the Sigma and way better optics than the standard kit lens.
