Best Lens to Have at the Park

[jerseymom9]

I have a Nikon D5000 and I was wondering what everyone suggests as the best lens to carry around the park, for all around great pictures?

TIA

 

[zackiedawg]

It's all up to you and what you like to shoot. You'll hear mention of wide angle lenses, primes, megazooms, portraits, wide zooms, midranges...the photographer's skill, vision, and eye will dictate what lens works best for them.

I would place my argument behind the megazooms as being an 'ideal' lens for Disney for a majority of users, especially beginners. Because of the huge zoom range these lenses offer, they allow the photographer to shoot any subject at any distance with a single lens, no changes required. It helps avoid missing shots because you didn't feel like bringing a bag of extra lenses along, or because you only had the kit lens and couldn't zoom on something far away. It's just overall the most versatile solution, as it can be used in a pinch for scenics, landscapes, portraits, wildlife, architecture, interiors, low light, night...whatever. It won't be the best in any one of those situations, but it can do all of them. Check out any of the lenses that have ranges like 18-200, 18-250, 18-270, etc. These cover from wide angle to big telephoto, and are usually still small enough to wear around a neck or shoulder and not require a tripod.

Personally, I do tend to bring several lenses with me when I'm walking the parks - and I have specialty lenses I like for certain shots (10-24mm wide, 30mm F1.4, etc)...but my 18-250mm tends to be with me virtually always as at least one of the lenses - because of the sheer versatility and range it provides.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is going to be very individual, and could vary depending on which park you go to.

 

[KarenAylwood]

This is going to be very individual, and could vary depending on which park you go to.

I agree. For AK you generally want a longer zoom for the animals. Other than that, it's all down to personal preference.

Last year I carried with me my 30mm f/1.4 and my 18-200mm. I used my 30mm a lot more than I thought I would (at least 60% of the time).

This year I'm planning on my 24-105 f/4L being my general walk around lens and I'll bring with me, my 30mm f/1.4 (dark rides) and my new Tokina 11-16mm because I've never brought that one with me before! I'll also bring my 18-200mm but probably not carry it with me all the time.

Mid range zooms are a good for general use. If you want to photograph inside and dark rides, you'll probably want a large aperture prime (like my Sigma 30mm f/1.4).

 

[canuckgal]

I have the same camera so I will be watching this thread as well. I took the kit lens last time and my pictures were ok. Does anyone have the 18-70 mm?? Would that one be ok? I don't have a lot of money to spend.

 

[Icemann]

I have a D3000 and I use the Tamron 18-270 vc and I pretty much use this as my walk around lens,I also use the Tamron 17-50 vc 2.8.Nikon has very good glass but it's to expensive for me.I do have a 35 1.8 that I use on dark rides.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

If I were restricted to just one lens and just one trip, I'd probably go with a super zoom as well. They suffer from a lot of compromises, but if you want one lens with the broadest use, I guess that is the way to go.

Personally, I just can't see going with only one lens. My usual approach is to bring a broad selection of lenses for the trip and then to pick two or three for use on any given day. I typically bring a wide zoom (17-40), a mid-range zoom (24-70 or 24-105), a long zoom (70-200), and a fast prime. On any given day, I would usually only bring 1 or 2 of the lenses or 3 if I can get my wife to carry a small prime in her purse.

 

[Chikabowa]

Last year I shot the ENTIRE vacation with the 24-70. Mainly because I was 7.5 months pregnant and the thought of carrying anything else was a little overwhelming!

I take everything with me down there, but I'm thinking this year I might do my entire vacation with just the 50mm f1.4. Just for fun. See how creative I can get with that.

It really is up to you though. If you can swing the 24-70 it's a great investment in a great piece of glass. Otherwise, with that particular camera, I would look at the 35mm f1.8. It's reasonable in price and a good focal length on that particular model.

 

[ionz13]

I agree with everyone on the super Zoom and one prime lens.

I lack a superzoom, and have a 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 35mm, and a 12-24mm. I plan to attend each theme park at WDW twice, so I will be shooting day one with a 12-24mm, and return with my 18-55mm. For AK I will most likely carry my telephoto lens.

 

[StrwLady]

I just got the Tamron 18-200mm lens. I have only used it once and so far I love it. I will have that with me at the park and planning to use it for the most part. I will bring my 75-300mm and I imagine I will switch occasionally but that would most likely be when I am taking "Momma time" (I take one every trip). That is if I can get my BFF to agree to take my son for a few hours But for all around shooting I will have the 18-200mm. I would love to have a bunch of lenses and maybe in time I will but for now the 3 I have will have to do