Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a single travel zoom for my D850 because honestly I am so over carrying a giant bag of glass everywhere.
I am leaving for a hiking trip in the Dolomites in like three weeks and I am genuinely dreading the pack weight. Last time I went out I brought my 14-24 and the 24-70 and the 70-200 and by day two I wanted to throw the whole kit off a cliff. My back was killing me and I missed so many good shots of wildlife because I had the wide lens on and by the time I fumbled around in my bag to switch everything the moment was gone. Its just so frustrating to have such a powerful camera like the D850 and feel like the gear is actually getting in the way of the experience if that makes sense?
I need one lens that can stay on the body like 90% of the time. I was looking at the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 but Ive heard mixed things about it being sharp enough for the 45mp sensor. Like is it actually gonna look good or am I gonna regret not having my primes? I also saw some people talking about the Tamron 35-150 but that seems massive and heavy too which kinda defeats the purpose. I tried the 28-300mm once years ago and it was just muddy and soft so I really dont want to go down that road again.
Budget is around 1300 bucks and Im totally fine buying used gear from MPB or Keh if it gets me better glass. I just want something that isnt a total compromise on quality but lets me actually enjoy the hike without feeling like a pack mule. Has anyone actually used the 24-120 on a high res body for travel or is there a better all-in-one I should be looking at before I lose my mind and sell everything for a point and shoot lol...
Man, I totally get the throw the kit off a cliff feeling. The D850 is a legendary body but carrying the holy trinity on a hike is basically a gym workout you didnt ask for. I have done the Dolomites with a heavy pack and it ruins the vibe real fast. Honestly, for a one-lens setup on that 45mp sensor, you have a couple solid paths that wont break your back or your spirit.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
- I used this for a year as my primary travel lens. People trash it for the 45mp sensor, but honestly? Its not prime sharp in the corners wide open, but if you stop it down to f/5.6 or f/8 for landscapes, its actually really decent. For like $500 used on MPB, its a steal.
- Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art
- This is basically the sharper, beefier cousin of the Nikon. It handles the high res of the D850 better than the 24-120 does, though it is noticeably heavier in the hand.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
- If you can find a used one within your $1300 budget, the VR version is sharp as a tack. You lose the reach of the 120mm but the image quality is truly top tier. Tbh, Id just grab the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. Its light enough that you will actually keep the camera out instead of buried in a bag. Just click the profile correction in Lightroom to fix the distortion and you are golden for those mountain vistas.
I'd disagree that the 24-120mm lacks sharpness; I'm very satisfied with it.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR (best weight)
- Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art (better optics) It's great!
Building on the earlier suggestion about the 24-120mm, i definitely think grabbing one used is the way to go. You can usually find a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR for under 500 bucks on MPB which leaves you a ton of extra cash for the actual trip. One thing tho... if you get it and it feels a bit soft on that 45mp sensor, do some DIY AF Fine Tune calibration on your D850 before you give up on it. High-res bodies are brutal if the focus is even a hair off, and people often blame the glass when it is just a calibration issue. If you really want to save weight and go even cheaper, dont sleep on the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR. Its way lighter than the 24-120 and honestly pretty sharp for a 'budget' lens if you stop it down to f/5.6 or f/8 for landscapes. Its not a pro-tank build but for hiking those Dolomites peaks, every ounce you save is a win. Tbh, with your budget you could probably buy both used and still have 600 bucks left over for a nice dinner in Italy lol.
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.
> Like is it actually gonna look good or am I gonna regret not having my primes? Just catching up on the thread and man, I feel your pain. I spent years dragging a huge bag through the woods because I was terrified of losing that prime look on my high-res sensors. Honestly tho, you might want to consider going with a zoom from Sigma. I did a similar trip and realized that being able to actually get the shot matters way more than that tiny bit of sharpness you only see when pixel peeping at 200 percent. Be careful with some of the older zooms tho, because the D850 will absolutely show every flaw. I would suggest looking at any of those modern third-party zooms that people rave about for landscapes. Just get any high-end zoom from Sigma and you will likely be happy. They tend to be a bit more affordable than the name-brand stuff while staying pretty crisp. Make sure to double check the weight specs before you buy though, because some of those pro-level zooms are still heavy enough to make you regret your life choices by mile six... Nikon glass is awesome but you pay the tax for it.
