Honestly im so done with swapping lenses mid-shoot, its killing me. Im heading to Japan in three weeks and dragging around my heavy bag of primes is just ruining the trip experience for me. My current setup is way too much to deal with on the street. So I was thinking, maybe I just grab one good all-rounder for my D750? I dont have a huge budget, maybe 600 bucks tops, and I really need something that can handle landscapes and street stuff without making me look like a pro photographer everywhere I go. Should I just look for a used 24-120mm or is there something sharper that wont break the bank? I'm just so lost...
@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, the 24-120mm is a classic for a reason, but it's a bit bulky for street stuff, yeah? If you're really trying to stay light in Japan, maybe look at the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. It gives you that extra stop of light which helps a ton when the sun goes down in Tokyo, and it handles street portraits way better than an f/4 lens. You could definitely snag a used one within your budget if you dig around. Quick tip: bring a decent strap, not the stock neck one, otherwise you'll be hating life by day three. Also, do you find yourself needing the reach more, or is wider usually your go-to for these shots? If you prefer landscape wide-angle stuff, sometimes carrying a smaller Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR is actually way more convenient because it shrinks down so much. It isn't as pro-grade, sure, but it gets the job done without weighing you down. Just gotta decide if you value that f/2.8 aperture over the convenience of a lighter kit. Are you planning on doing much low-light stuff or just mostly daylight street shots?
Re: "@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, the 24-120mm..."
- I actually agree it is the standard, but unfortunately I had issues with mine regarding edge sharpness when shooting wide landscapes. It was not as good as expected for such a pricey piece of glass back in the day. Since you are on a tight budget for Japan, you should consider the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical IF. It is significantly cheaper than the Nikon glass and much lighter for street photography. Sure, you lose that 120mm reach, but the constant aperture is a lifesaver in low light. Just check the used market for a clean copy, you can easily snag one under 300 bucks if you look hard enough. Save that extra money for some good sushi instead of overpaying for gear.
Honestly, I feel your pain. Dragging primes around Japan sounds like a nightmare. If you want to keep things simple for your D750, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is honestly the way to go. You can find them used for a total steal these days, and it covers basically everything you need without the bulk. Here is why I think it works so well:
- The focal range is perfect for street and landscapes.
- The VR is a lifesaver when you're shooting handheld in lower light.
- It keeps your kit small so you look like a regular tourist. Don't stress about finding something sharper. Honestly, the convenience of one lens beats a bag of gear any day. You'll be way happier just enjoying the trip instead of constantly lens swapping.
