Ive shot DX for years on my D7200 but mostly used high-end glass. Now im helping a cousin build a kit on a $250 budget for his trip to Zion next month.
My logic was the 35mm 1.8G but hes wanting more reach. What are the best sleeper budget lenses that actually hold up?
Honestly, for Zion your cousin is gonna want more than just a prime. I have been super satisfied with the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR lately. Tbh it is a total sleeper lens. The focus is crazy fast and it is way sharper than the old versions. You can usually snag one used for under $150 which leaves plenty of room in that budget. Another solid pick is the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. It works well as an all-in-one hiker lens. I used it for a week in the mountains and had no complaints about the reach or the weight. It stays glued to the camera most of the time. Both of these definitely hold up on the 24MP sensor of the D7200.
