DSLR lenses - which are best?

Dani ... I have this camera and with these basic kit lenses. If you know zip about DSLR cameras, stick with these for starters. The challenge is not the lenses, it's learning the camera. You've got the basic wide angle and telephoto variable lenses. Right now there would be little benefit to getting other lenses. I do highly recommend taking a photography course. I've used the Great Courses Photography course done by Joel Sartore. It's excellent. He will teach you about how to use these lenses and one segment on travel shooting is very good. It's a good camera for the money. Others who may respond, may suggest other cameras with kit lenses, which are probably good too. So get a course, go out and shoot, shoot, shoot learning how to really use a DSLR ... that's not just putting it on automatic ... but learning do use the gear to its full power and flexibity. Also ... shoot your good stuff in RAW and learn to process in RAW. It a huge step forward in quality shooting.

There are uses for lots of lenses etc., when you travel, but it is a trade off with how much to carry, changing lenses on-the-fly, having your sensor get dirty when you change them etc. Personally, while it is nice to have a great telephoto (and as a "collector" of gargoyle shots I do use it!) in Europe I find wide angles more helpful (often you can't back up more because of a small street, or you are inside a cathedral or whatever.) Also, think about how fast your lens is as most of the shots which I take which are not usable are in low light. These are often taken at night or indoors. There are a ton of nice cameras and in addition to various DSLRs, lots of people like micro 4/3s for travel. (IMHO most people who don't really like photography overlook the importance of sensor size. Micro 4/3s have sensors which are somewhere between the sizes on a point and shoot and DSLR. But the 4/3s are smaller and lighter than many cameras but have more pro features and interchangeable lenses than simpler pocket cameras.) So lots to think about. If I am going to Europe or someplace where equipment isn't an issue, I take a full frame SLR with a 25-250 mm lens and either a very fast 50mm (f1.4) or 16-35 mm. However, when going someplace which is very rugged or with weight restrictions (or sometimes just for the heck of it) I like the Sony DSC RX10- III or Panasonic DMC FZ2500. Neither the Sony nor Panasonic are cheap. They have sensors just a tad smaller than Micro 4/3s, have good throw in the lenses and shoot RAW. Although RAW files are larger than jpegs and pretty much demand post processing (unlike the over saturated, over sharpened, highly contrasted jpegs which come out of most cameras) they give you a bit more flexibility with exposure and lots of flexibility with white balance. Another advantage of the Sony or Panasonic is you can't change lenses, so nothing more to buy and the sensors don't get dirty. Good luck making a choice and happy snapping. (PS If the cost is more than you wish to spend, consider earlier versions of them. Although I use the RX10 III now, I took a Panasonic DMC FZ1000 with me on a lot of trips and it was a good camera. There are still RX10s available as well.)

Thanks so much to both of you for taking the time to respond. I definitely think a course is necessary. Someone suggested that I consider the Canon Powershot sx60 HS, because it has a 65X zoom, and I am just trying to figure out which will give me the best quality at this point. It is a point and shoot though.

Dani

Plenty to debate and consider on this topic. I've personally chosen not to carry a heavy camera and lenses, so I use the Nikon P530, bigger than a pocket size point and shoot, but smaller and lighter than a full-size DSLR.

I also have the Nikon D3000, which I believe is an earlier model of the camera you are considering. It came with the same kit lenses, but after traveling once or twice with those, I picked up the Tamron 18-270 zoom lens, which I actually think is a bit sharper than the Nikon kit lenses. The big benefit is carrying one lens instead of two. I'm not sure if that particular lens is still available, but Tamron makes a number of variations. The drawback of any zoom lens, including the ones you have, is that they are not "fast" lenses. But for your average vacation photos, they'll do fine.

You might also see if a nearby community college offers adult continuing education photography classes. I just took a six-week intermediate class to freshen up my skills and picked up some new information, as well. You say you know zip about DSLRs, so a beginning digital class would be a good place to start.

Hi Dani.

I have a Nikon D3400 and am also planning a trip to Europe. The camera is very lightweight and easy to use. If you don't want to get into more detailed camera settings, in the pre-set modes (e.g., landscape, portraits, sports) it can work as a glorified point-and-shoot - it doesn't feel heavy at all, but ergonomically it is very comfortable. I took a course at the local community college adult education program, and that helped a lot for the adjustment from 35mm film to the DSLR. Also, the Nikon D3400 for Dummies book is very helpful.

For lenses, I'm planning to take one: Nikon's 16-80 f/2.8 zoom. That works out to a 35 mm equivalent of 24-120, with a super fast lens for low light conditions. This is a kit lens for more expensive cameras. It is pretty light weight. I mainly like to shoot landscapes and architecture. The D3400 and this lens will be perfect for that. The 18-55 kit lens is also very nice, very light weight. I often just grab the camera with this lens to take along in case there is something interesting to photograph, just because it is so easy and fun.

I purchased a refurbished camera from Adorama through EBay.

Starburst

Edited to add, second jrmeier's suggestion to shoot in RAW. That gives you much more flexibility to adjust your pictures without changing the original. The quality of a .jpeg goes down when you do something like adjust the brightness or contrast. With RAW, its like working with the original negative - you can do anything you want as many times as you want. Also, Nikon provides free software that you can use for working with RAW images. Other manufacturers probably do the same.

I use mainly an 18-140 f3.5-5.6
I don't want to carry extra lenses while out and about in general (if I'm at home or doing a photo-specific day I will but not for regular tourist time). This lens is a decent balance and covers most of my bases in general. I wish it had a better aperature but it has served me well.

I also have a 35mm f1.8 that I call my night lens. Lets in more light so I can take better photos in low light. I bring that when I go out in the evening or if I specifically plan to photograph in a very dark location.

As you practice you will see what range you tend to like. For me, I do a lot of architecture, city or landscapes, and overview shots. My best work in the wider end of the range of my lens (let's say 18-56). Someone who likes small details and zooming, or wildlife etc might need a bigger zoom, more towards 300 or more. A 70-300 would be wasted on me but other photographers do excellent work with that range. It's a matter of your style and goals

Yes, yet another comment then I will stop! About "fast" zooms. It is helpful to remember that unless it is pretty well designed (and usually costs quite a bit) it gets slower as you zoom in on your subject. I too think learning about your camera and photography in general is important. Usually, I try to buy a book on my camera (often in digital format so I have it with me on my phone in case I am traveling and I can't figure something out.) There is also usually lots of great info on the net and, of course, at your local CC. I also joined a couple of camera clubs I found on Meetup.com. People there are better photographers than I but have really shared a lot of knowledge with me. But, most modern cameras (including those mentioned above) have very very good auto settings. If you get stuck, they work very well for a majority (but not all shots.) Often the more specialized features are so you can add your artistic touches to a photo. Finally, while folks have mentioned learning about photography and your camera, in the world of digital photography today learning post processing is just as important. There are lots of great programs out there to help you. (Yes, camera manufacturers give you software for your RAW shots but personally I have always found them quite clunky.) As RAW files can be a bit difficult to learn to post-process and won't look that great right out of the camera, most modern cameras will let you shoot in both RAW and jpeg mode. That gives you some backup while you are learning to post-process. Will stop now!

Thanks again to each of you!

I suggest you look at two things in any camera: size of sensor (bigger better) and the f-number of lens (smaller better).

The Sony RX100 has both features in a very compact camera. In the right hands, one can take very pro looking shots.

The canon sx60x has a big zoom, but tiny sensor and huge f-number that gets worse as you zoom. It will take good photos but probably not any better, based on the specs, to your existing point and shoot.

If you have never used an slr before but want to take it up as a serious hobby, the Nikon 3xxx series is a solid choice for you. The Nikon 3400 is a decent entry DSLR and comes with a set of kit lenses which covers a good zoom range. The f-number on the kit lens is larger, which means they are "slow". In other words that hole in the front is small compared to the length of the lens. Except for some basic primes like a 50 mm, you need to spend a lot of money for really good fast slr lenses. But without good technique, spending a lot money on expensive lenses may still result in crooked, blurry or poorly exposed shots. You can always add new lenses in the future.

If you do get the Nikon 3400, i would suggest carrying the 18-55 only. Going from a simple point and shoot to a dslr is a big leap in bulk and weight when travelling. Lugging the extra 70-300 will be a bigger burden. Seasoned photoraphers can carry and change multiple lenses without a second thought. For a newbie, it can be a real pain. Take the one lens and concentrate on composition and experimenting with the settings, especially the exposure compensation. If you want a closer shot, just zoom with your feet.

HI Dani ... Jrmeier again. What I am saying here is redundant to some of the previous, very good posts (yes, switching lenses on the run is an art form). But having experienced the Nikon subject camera while traveling, I do compare it to the camera I prefer to travel with in Europe, which is my old trusty Fuji X10. It is the grandfather of the Fuji X series of cameras. Other similar types of very good cameras and brands have been noted. It, as others, has all the features of a full featured DSLR, except the SLR. It has only the digital back screen and the classic viewfinder. I prefer my DSLR when I can take my time setting up shots often using a tripod. Here in Colorado, I have plenty of opportunity to go places, unrushed, to do so. I prefer my Fuji when I am on the fly or traveling when fully setting up shots is often not in the cards. The attached lens is variable from 28 to 112mm, it shoots RAW, plus as noted, has almost all the other settings of the larger cameras. The type is very portable and light. If good travel photography is your goal at the moment I second some of the comments made previously and suggest a hard look at good quality cameras of style of the Fuji X series itself or as made by the other major brands. This type of camera is a great step up from the classical point and shoot.

Thanks again to all! :-) You guys are great.

I'll chime in once more, then I'll quit. I mentioned that I carry the Nikon P530, a 16 megapixel camera with a 42x zoom lens. I failed to mention that the zoom on cameras such as these are pretty darn good, way better than the "digital" zoom you'll find on smaller point-and-shoots. I was standing across the Seine looking toward Notre Dame and zoomed in on the gargoyles for a few shots, not really expecting much in the way of image quality. But they turned out not bad at all. Could I have gotten way better images with a 300mm prime lens? Oh my, yes. But for quick snaps on vacation, this camera served me well.

Newer models in this line have ridiculous zoom capabilities. This one, for example has an 83x zoom. The instructor for my photography class said she's seen some of these in action and has been quite impressed.

So just a bit more for you to chew on.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B00U2W4JEY/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1492032329&sr=1-3&keywords=nikon+p900

I don't know how soon your trip is. If you get a dSLR, make sure to give yourself enough time to use it before you leave for your trip. Otherwise, you are better off sticking with a point and shoot that you already know how to use.

The 18-55mm and the 70-300mm should make a nice combo. I will bet that you will use the 18-55mm about 85% of the time, but you will be glad to have the long lens for that other 15%. A 55-200mm might be a more affordable substitute for the 70-300mm, with plenty of reach for Europe. The only thing you will be missing is a fast lens for interiors. You might want to think about something like the reasonably priced 35mm prime -- or maybe something wider -- as well.

Keep in mind that a dSLR is not your only option. As someone else mentioned, the Sony RX100 is a high end point and shoot that can do much of what a dSLR can do. My current preference for travel is an Olympus Micro 4/3 system. It gives me similar capabilities to my dSLR, but with less bulk and weight. You might want to take a look at the Olympus OMD EM-10 or one of the similar offerings from Panasonic. It has certainly made me a much happier traveler.

For a long time I've had this Tamron lens in my Amazon Wish list. Its price is higher than I really want to spend but I like the convenience of having the entire 18-270 mm range in one lens. From what I understand the image quality is on par with that of the kit lenses.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FLJVXM/

Dani,

I always travel with a DSLR Camera (along with a P&S for taking snaps), as it provides the flexibility to get the results I want. I find that I use two lenses about 99% of the time, a 24-105 zoom and a 10-22 wide angle (Canon gear). I often have a 70-300 available as well, but it doesn't get used often.

In choosing lenses consider not only this European trip but also long term use. I'd recommend buying the "fastest" lenses you can afford, preferably with a maximum aperture of f2.8 over the entire zoom range. The trick in choosing lenses is achieve the ideal balance between performance and cost, according to your particular circumstances (ie: budget and intended uses). I'm not too familiar with Nikon products, so can't really offer any suggestions.

Don't forget to also pack along at least one spare battery, adequate memory cards, and perhaps a few accessories such as a Circular Polarizer filter and a robust case to haul everything in.

As someone else suggested, I would also recommend shooting RAW, but keep in mind that you'll need to post process images with Photoshop or similar program. RAW images are larger files so also consider your computer hard drive capacity. Some kind of backup drive is highly recommended.

Good luck with your camera purchase!