Im so stoked because I finally saved up enough to upgrade my gear for a trip to Japan next month and I need a solid all-around lens for my Nikon D7500. Honestly lugging around a bag full of glass is just not happening for me this time, so I want that one perfect walk-around lens that can handle street photography and maybe some architecture stuff without me constantly swapping things out.
So I was looking at the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 but Im worried about the lack of reach, whereas the Nikon 18-140mm seems super versatile but maybe the sharpness isnt there? My logic was that the Sigma would give me those gorgeous creamy backgrounds, but then I think about trying to catch a cool shot of a temple from across the street and realize I might be totally screwed zoom-wise. My budget is around 700 bucks max since I still need to pay for the flight. Has anyone used these extensively? Is it worth the sacrifice in image quality to get the zoom range of the 18-140 or should I just stick with the prime-like quality of the Sigma and just get closer? Really struggling to make the call before I leave...
Late to the party but I personally wouldn't risk the lack of zoom on such a big trip. Like someone mentioned, carrying heavy gear is a pain, but missing shots is worse. I actually prefer the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR for the D7500. It hits a sweet spot between the versatility you want and actual decent sharpness that beats the 18-140mm. Sure, it is a bit pricier, but you can find it used within your budget if you look around. The aperture range is pretty solid for street photography and the build quality is definitely reliable enough for travel. Don't stress too much about getting the perfect pro lens, just pick something that covers your focal range so you can focus on enjoying the trip instead of worrying about lens changes.
Honestly, skip the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art for travel. I had issues with the weight and lack of reach in Japan, it was just too frustrating. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is okay, but frankly, sharpness is disappointing. Grab a used Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR instead. It hits that sweet spot for travel gear without breaking the bank.
Coming back to this, I totally get the dilemma. Lugging gear around Japan is exhausting, especially with the subways and all the walking. I used the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR for a long time on my D7500 and honestly, the reach is unbeatable for temples or shots where you just cant get closer. The sharpness is fine for travel prints or social media, but you do lose that f/1.8 magic you get with the Sigma glass. If you want a middle ground, look at the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary. It gives you a much better aperture range than the 18-140mm while still letting you zoom in enough for decent street portraiture and architecture. It feels way more premium in the hand than the kit lenses too. My take? If you go to Japan with just an 18-35mm, you are gonna regret not having zoom when you see a detail on a pagoda way up high. Youre gonna feel limited. But if you hate switching lenses, skip the super zooms and find a nice used Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR. It is basically the gold standard for DX sensors. It is sharp, fast enough for low light in temples, and covers 90 percent of what you will actually shoot.
