LIGHTWEIGHT • COMPACT • ECONOMICAL • HIGH PERFORMANCE
If you’re looking to read technical specs and review images of photographic test charts, read no further. There’s none of that here. We’re simply going to talk about what constitutes the best lens for travel photography…and why.
The best lens for travel photography…or any genre of photography at all…is not necessarily the most expensive. In fact our choice for the title goes to one of the most affordable lenses on the market. Read on.
There Is Better Glass Out There
Yes, I’m well aware of the fact that ‘better’ lenses exist than the ones I’m about to recommend. I’ve owned and used most all of them. As a career professional photographer my camera bag was stuffed with “The Holy Trinity” of zoom lenses. For those who may not be familiar with that term it refers to the 14-24mm f/2.8, the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200mm f/2.8.
The “Holy Trinity” of Nikkor Lenses
In addition to those lenses I carried an assortment of fast prime lenses in portrait focal lengths, and a 500mm telephoto lens for my motorsports photography work. These days my needs are much more modest.
The Right Tool For The Job
My days of photographing 75 weddings, 150 portrait sessions and a dozen motorsports events annually are behind me. These days I’m a travel photographer and I travel by motorcycle almost everywhere I go. I need high quality photographic gear that is compact, lightweight and versatile. I need the best lens for travel photography. No more. No less.
Those same qualities are what hikers, mountaineers and other adventurers look for. After all, who wants to carry a gear bag that weighs 50+ pounds up the side of Everest or on The Appalachian Trail? Welcome to the world of compact zoom lenses.
Old Habits Die Hard
We were shooting ISO25 and ISO64 Kodachrome and Ektachrome transparency films ‘back in the day’ . Having fast lenses was imperative. Today…not so much.
Digital technologies have revolutionized imaging. Today’s digital cameras offer incredible dynamic range. That simply means they have the ability to record the brightest whites and the deepest blacks simultaneously.
Today’s digital cameras also offer incredibly clean images at high ISO ratings. Nearly gone are the concerns of digital noise in photographs captured at higher ISO ratings. The days of worrying about film grain are gone forever.
The Digital Darkroom
The other benefit that has come along in the digital age is the use of software in processing and enhancing images. What can’t be accomplished perfectly in the camera these days can be taken care of in the computer afterwards.
The author’s digital darkroom
On this website you’ll find various tutorials about using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and some other third-party software plug-ins. Techniques about compositing, masking and black & white image conversion are thoroughly outlined. Take a look.
The Mirrorless Revolution
As a working professional I always used Nikon’s flagship DSLR cameras. In 2017 I ditched them and made the transition to the new mirrorless technology. I have never looked back. Nor should you. Mirrorless is where the industry is now and where it’s heading going forward.
If you’re not shooting mirrorless yet you should be. Get out of your DSLR inventory while it’s still worth something. No need to start any debate here. It’s a done deal. They laughed when I said the same thing about my switch from film to digital in 2001, also. Those that didn’t heed the call wound up with some very pricy Hasselblad film camera paperweights on their desks.
DSLR • Best Lens For Travel Photography
When I was shooting with my flagship DSLR cameras I found the best lens for travel photography to be the Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. So versatile was this lens that I affectionately named it “The Streetsweeper”. It could cover nearly every scene I was likely to encounter in my travels.
AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens
When I made the switch to mirrorless technology I kept the lens and used Nikon’s FTZ adapter to use this DSLR lens on my new camera bodies. The lens is small, compact and lightweight. Its range of focal length makes it extremely versatile. Everything but the widest of wide angle shots could be made with just one lens.
This lens has since been discontinued by Nikon. Good used offerings abound from reputable dealers. A quick internet search today revealed that a handful of new ones are still on dealer’s shelves. Jump on the opportunity now if you’re interested in this lens.
Mirrorless • Best Lens For Travel Photography
In February 2020 Nikon announced the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 zoom lens native to their Z Series mirrorless cameras. A new “Streetsweeper” was eagerly welcomed into my world. It is actually smaller and lighter than its DSLR predecessor (the 28-300mm). It doesn’t require the use of the FTZ adapter, making it even smaller still when attached to the camera body. Win, Win, Win!
Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 zoom lens
The lens gives up a little on the long end. It maxes out at 200mm instead of 300. That doesn’t bother me a bit. If I really need the 300mm reach I can switch my Nikon Z7 camera body into DX crop mode. Voila! The 300mm focal length is back, and the extraordinary resolution of the Z7 camera insures that I still get a great image. Even in crop sensor mode.
On the opposite end of the zoom range you pick up more wide angle performance. The widest focal length is now 24mm; a huge step up from the previous 28mm. All things taken into account, you now have a single lens that reaches from 24mm to 300mm while delivering outstanding image quality. Oh, by the way, the lens has a list price of under $800 and can often be found for less!
Real World Performance
As we stated at the outset, this post is not about critical scientific measurements made in a laboratory. I could care less what any test chart says about the lens. I care even less about how it performs compared to a lens that costs four times as much. I don’t photograph test charts.
I capture Mother Nature in all of her glory. This lens helps me do it and do it well. Every single image that is included in this blog post was captured with either the Nikkor Z 24-200 or the AF-S Nikkor 28-300. The images can do my talking for me. After all, they say “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
The Speed Factor
As a wedding and portrait photographer I needed faster (and thus more costly) lenses. All my zoom lenses were f/2.8 aperture and my primes were even faster. As a travel photographer that need has gone by the wayside. Rarely will I shoot at large apertures so the best lens for travel photography doesn’t need to have the large aperture, the large size and the large price tag.
Most often I will be shooting at an aperture of f/8 or smaller to obtain the depth of focus needed in most landscape studies. If this aperture doesn’t allow for a proper exposure at a manageable handheld shutter speed I have two options. I can increase my ISO rating or I can use a tripod.
I carry a Peak Design Travel Tripod. This tripod is the bomb! Absolutely the best travel tripod I’ve ever used. I am so enthralled with this piece of equipment that I did an entire blog post/product review about it. I carry their aluminum model. For those adventurers with big budgets, who worry about every ounce they must carry, there is also a carbon fiber version.
At The Heart Of The Image
I’m a “Nikon Guy” through and through. Have been for more than four decades. I’m sure that other camera and lens manufacturers have offerings similar to the Nikkor lenses that I’ve showcased here. I can’t speak specifically to their quality or value as I’ve never used them or purchased them. I’m sure a quick internet search will reveal some helpful reviews for any of you looking outside the Nikon world.
I’m often asked by folks “What is the best camera?” My stock answer is that the best camera is the one that you have with you when a photo opportunity presents itself. The best lens for travel photography won’t do you any good if it’s sitting in a camera bag at home.
My “Go To, Go Everywhere” setup consists of the Nikkor Z 24-200mm zoom lens mounted on a Nikon Z6II mirrorless camera body. When out on a journey I carry a second (Nikon Z7) body, a Nikkor Z 14-30mm wide angle zoom lens and a DJI drone. It all fits (with a host of accessories) in a tiny top case on my BMW motorcycle. If you’re interested in how I manage to conveniently pack all of this on my two-wheeled adventures check out the feature post: The Right Stuff • What’s In My Camera Bag.
Conclusion
That about wraps it up for this feature on the best lens for travel photography. What are your favorite lenses for travel? Please leave a comment below. If you have any specific questions you would like answered, please feel free to contact us directly via email. Be sure to subscribe to Roadcraft USA to receive alerts when new posts hit the blog.
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Well said! Similar to yours, my travel & hiking kit consists of a Nikon Z6 with the 24-200mm f4-f6.3 & 14-30mm f4 lenses, along with ND-6 filters for each lens, and a lightweight travel tripod. Although obviously not a low-light or fast action kit, this compact and lightweight setup performs well in all but the worst lighting or action scenarios, which makes it ideal for travel photography!