So I just got a Nikon D5600 and I am super excited to take it on my family trip to Colorado next month! I need a solid everyday lens that can stay on my camera most of the time.
I read online that the 35mm f/1.8 prime is amazing and super sharp, but then others say the 18-140mm zoom is way better for travel. Im kinda torn between wanting that low light capability of the prime and the flexibility of a zoom.
My constraints:
- Budget is around $350 max (open to buying used)
- Needs to handle landscape shots and quick snapshots of the kids
- Lightweight enough for day hikes
Which one should I go for, or is there another option I missed?
I actually bought that exact Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR zoom a couple years ago for a family trip to Zion, expecting it to be the perfect do-it-all lens. Unfortunately, it was not as good as expected. The lens felt pretty heavy on my neck after just an hour of hiking, and the image quality at the long end was kinda soft. The biggest issue was shooting the kids at dusk. With that slow variable aperture, my shutter speed dropped so low that almost every shot was blurry. It was just super frustrating... Instead of the 35mm prime which can feel a bit restrictive for landscapes, I ended up picking up a used Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM for my DX camera. It was a total game changer. You get that crucial wide end at 17mm for those massive Colorado mountain vistas, but you also get a constant f/2.8 aperture. Having f/2.8 throughout the zoom range means you can actually capture your kids indoors or during sunset without cranking your ISO to noisy levels. Its a bit heavier than the 35mm, but way more versatile than the 18-140mm. You can easily find them used within your budget.
> Budget is around $350 max (open to buying used) I went through this last year and got a used Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR for just $120. I've been incredibly satisfied with it. It is lighter than the 18-140mm and works well for outdoor landscapes. No complaints at all, and it saved me a ton of cash.
> Regarding what #1 said about the weight of the 18-140mm, I totally agree. Hikes demand lightweight gear. In my experience, the best compromise is:
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (around $120 used for low light)
- Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (super light, cheap landscape option) You can easily get both used under your $350 budget. Let me know if you need links to trusted used gear sites!
