Ugh, Im so sick of carrying around a giant bag of glass every time I go for a walk. I have a Nikon D7500 and honestly Im just done with swapping lenses every five minutes when I travel. I saw a ton of people online recommending the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 but that thing is massive and heavy and it lacks range so I dont really get why people call it an all-around lens? Then I looked into the Nikon 18-140mm but some guys on a different forum said the sharpness is trash at the long end so now Im back to square one. My budget is around 600 bucks tops since I just spent a bunch on a trip to Colorado next month and I need something that can handle landscapes and my niece running around the backyard without needing me to be a bodybuilder to lug it around. Does anyone actually have a lens they swear by that isnt going to break the bank or make me regret taking my camera out of the bag? Im just so confused by all the conflicting reviews out there and honestly just want one piece of glass that doesnt suck...
> I just want one piece of glass that doesnt suck... Late to the party, but you should grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR. It is fantastic! You get that extra wide 16mm reach for landscapes and way better glass than the kit options. If thats too pricey, the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM is amazing for the money and handles macro shots too. Both stay sharp!
^ This. Also, I grabbed a Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II used for cheap. Saved me hundreds. Just watch that zoom creep when walking.
Honestly, I feel your pain. Lugging a bag around is the worst, and I actually had issues with the Sigma 18-35mm too because, like you said, it is way too heavy for casual walking. It is a sharp lens but definitely not a travel lens. Unfortunately, those super-zooms like the 18-140mm usually are not as good as expected when you start zooming in because the glass just gets soft. For what you need, just grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. It is super affordable used, light enough to keep on the camera all day, and honestly gives you way better results than the 18-140mm for way less cash. It is my go-to for just throwing the camera in a bag and heading out without worrying about weight.
