Im getting so annoyed trying to pick a lens for my D7500. My budget is like 600 bucks tops and I just want one solid piece of glass for travel and street shots here in Chicago. I keep seeing people rave about the 18-140mm kit lens but then others say it is total garbage and I should grab a 35mm prime instead. Like, do I sacrifice the zoom range for sharpness? Ive been digging through forums for three days and my head is spinning. Im leaving for a trip in two weeks so I need to pull the trigger soon. Is there actually one lens that doesnt suck for everything or am I chasing a unicorn here?
Honestly, if you want one lens that does it all for Chicago without breaking the bank, look at the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM. I used this thing for years on my crop sensor body and it honestly hits a sweet spot that kit lenses just cant touch. Its got a constant aperture which is huge for those darker city streets at night or when youre in a museum. Sure, you lose some reach compared to the kit glass, but the image quality is way sharper and feels more professional. You can usually snag one used for way under your 600 buck limit, leaving you extra cash for a decent filter or a spare battery for your trip. Stop overthinking it and just grab this, itll save your head from spinning before you fly out.
Honestly, skip the kit lens. I had issues with sharpness on it. Just grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G instead, its much better for street shots imo.
Jumping in here. Are you more into wide cityscapes or tight street candids? I used a variable zoom for ages until I realized I hated swapping gear mid-shoot, so I just stuck with one.
