Ive been shooting with my trusty D7200 for about five years now, mostly just family stuff and some light street photography, but lately the kit lens is really showing its age. Like, the autofocus motor is starting to whine constantly and the sharpness just isnt what it used to be. Im honestly pretty comfortable with the basics of exposure and focal lengths but shopping for glass is giving me a headache.
Im trying to keep this under 300 bucks since I have a trip to the Pacific Northwest coming up in like three weeks. I really need something that can handle landscapes but maybe has enough aperture to pull off some decent portraits in the evening. I keep looking at those old 50mm primes because they are cheap but I dont know if that is too limiting for a travel lens. Should I grab one of those older Nikon primes or is there a third party zoom that actually holds up without breaking the bank? I feel like im overthinking this but I dont want to end up with a piece of junk in my bag when I finally get out there...
Honestly, grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. It is way sharper than your kit lens. Unfortunately, those cheap 50mm primes feel tight on DX, so the 35mm is better.
Late to the party but if you want versatility for your trip, definitely look for a used Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF. It is way more flexible than a prime for landscapes. Just be careful with buying used gear online since you are on a tight timeline, make sure the glass is clean and the focus motor is quiet before you leave. You really dont want a faulty zoom out in the wild.
Honestly, if you are heading to the PNW, reliability is the only thing that matters. You really dont want gear failing mid-trip. I picked up the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ages ago for my D7200 and it still works like a charm. It is super light, easy to toss in a bag, and sharp enough that I never have complaints. Regarding what #3 said about how versatility is nice, sometimes having less to fiddle with actually makes for better photos. Stick with the prime. It is way less likely to have motor issues than an old zoom, which gives me peace of mind when I am far from home. Just bring a cleaning cloth and dont overthink the zoom stuff. You will be plenty happy with the results.
Like someone mentioned, the 35mm is a solid choice, but honestly, have you looked at the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM? It offers a constant aperture which is way better than that kit lens you're fighting with. Unfortunately, finding one under 300 might be tough if you want a clean copy. Are you okay buying used glass, or do you strictly need something new before your trip?
