Best Travel Lens – How to Select the Right Travel Lenses for Any Brand • PhotoTraces

If you’re in search of the greatest journey lens to deliver in your subsequent trip or once-in-a-lifetime mountaineering journey, you will have come to the proper place. 

In immediately’s article, I’ll share how I strategy lens choice for my travels. I developed a specific lens choice methodology that labored for me once I shot with Canon and Sony. It works for me immediately as I shoot with the Fujifilm model. 

First, the important thing level when choosing the right lens for journey images is to align your choice with the kind and magnificence of journey images that you simply get pleasure from essentially the most. 

I’m assured that my journey lens choice methodology will assist you. 

Defining the Best Travel Lens

If you ask 10 totally different journey photographers to outline what constitutes the very best journey lens, you’ll probably get 10 totally different solutions. 

For instance, somebody who’s leaving for a two-week mountaineering journey within the mountains could have a special lens choice than a photographer exploring Iceland in a camper van. 

The Holy Trinity Lens Selection Approach

There is a well-liked strategy to lens choice known as the “Holy Trinity.” 

If you assemble three lens kits with the next traits…

• 16-35mm f/2.8
• 24-70mm f/2.8
• 70-200mm f/2.8

…the kits will work for just about any sort of images. 

The “Holy Trinity” package covers an unimaginable focal vary from 16mm to 200mm. And, because the package contains quick f/2.8 lenses, you’ll be able to simply improve the zoom vary through the use of Lens Teleconverters. The 1.4X teleconverter will lengthen the attain of the 200mm lens to 280mm and the 2X teleconverter will lengthen it to 400mm. 

You can use a package like this for any sort of images—from astrophotography to wildlife, sports activities images, and the whole lot in between. 

I name this a “just in case” lens choice strategy.

The “Holy Trinity” strategy doesn’t work for me as a result of I’m a minimalist about my images tools. I favor to deliver solely important gear with me and go away “just in case” objects at house. 

Here is my simple technique for lens choice for my travels. 

Travel Lens Selection Questionnaire 

I ask myself a easy query:

“If I had to go on an extensive two to three-week trip and could only bring one lens, what lens would I take?” 

When you set such strict boundaries for your self, the reply about what constitutes essentially the most versatile and helpful lens in your journey images turns into simple. 

Once you outline your primary journey lens choice, you progress to the following step of the choice course of. 

You ask your self one other easy query:

“If I had to go on an extensive two to three-week trip and could only bring two lenses, what lenses would I take?” 

Since you pinpointed your first selection in the 1st step, all you’ll want to do is choose a second lens. 

Finally, you repeat the identical train as soon as extra by asking your self:

“If I had to go on an extensive two to three-week trip and could only bring three lenses, what lenses would I take?” 

I normally cease at this level as a result of I not often take greater than three lenses on my travels. 

My Travel Lens Selection

Let me reveal how my journey lens choice methodology works for me. 

• In my travels, landscapes are essentially the most important a part of my images. 
• Cityscapes are my second selection. 
• Street images and environmental portraits are the third most essential a part of my journey images. 

When I choose my excellent journey lens, I guarantee it covers all areas of my journey images: landscapes, cityscapes, road, and environmental portraits. 

My Travel Lens Selection #1

This makes lens choice very apparent, no matter what digital camera model I exploit: 

• For a full-frame digital camera, it might be a 24-105mm f/4 lens.
• For a crop sensor digital camera, it might be a 16-70mm f/4 lens. 

The 24-105mm (16-70mm) lens is extensive sufficient to shoot landscapes and cityscapes. If I have to shoot a a lot wider scene, I can shoot a number of frames at 24mm (16mm) and mix them right into a wide-angle panorama. 

This sort of lens covers the next focal lengths—24mm, 35mm, and 50mm—that are excellent for road images. 

Finally, I can obtain an honest bokeh impact when capturing portraits at 105mm f/4. 

My Travel Lens Selection #2

My second selection could be a wide-angle zoom lens that might be used completely for panorama images. 

• For a full-frame digital camera, it might be a 16-35mm f/4 lens. 
• For a crop sensor digital camera, it might be a 10-20mm f/4 lens. 

My Travel Lens Selection #3

My third selection could be a quick, prime lens that I can use in low gentle circumstances for portraits and road motion. 

• For a full-frame sensor, it might be a 50mm f/1.4 prime lens.
• For a crop body sensor, it might be a 35mm f/1.4 prime lens. 

Please notice that my lens choices are very comparable whatever the digital camera model I exploit.

General Requirements for the Ideal Travel Lens

Since I have no idea what particular digital camera model you employ, I need to provide you with just a few normal necessities to search for when deciding on a journey lens. 

Later, I’ll present particular lens suggestions and we’ll run them in opposition to the necessities. 

1. Compact Size and Weight

Ideally, you desire a journey lens that doesn’t break your again and doesn’t entice undesirable consideration. For that purpose, I by no means switched to a full-frame setup. Even although I like Sony’s full-frame cameras for his or her versatility and picture high quality, the scale and weight of full-frame lenses have been at all times a prohibitive issue for the swap. 

2. Useful Zoom Range

For my excellent journey lens, I at all times select a zoom lens over a main lens. I refuse to fiddle with a number of primes. I favor to have one zoom lens that covers essentially the most helpful focal size and keep it up. 

Plus, in recent times, zoom lenses have drastically improved in optical high quality, making them nearly nearly as good as prime fashions. 

3. Good Image Quality

When you deliver just one lens with you for a once-in-a-lifetime journey journey, you will need to guarantee your lens doesn’t compromise the standard of your captured reminiscences. 

4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization

Most of my landscapes are shot on a tripod utilizing aperture values between f/8 and f/11. As a end result, I don’t carry sooner f/2.8 lenses as a result of f/4 is sweet sufficient for me. But, in case I have to shoot handheld in low-light circumstances, optical stabilization turns into indispensable. 

In normal, environment friendly picture stabilization extends the usefulness of any lens. 

5. Suitable for no less than Three Types of Photography: Landscapes, Street, and Portraits 

This level is self-evident. You are not looking for a “one-trick pony” as your main lens. 

6. Wide Enough for Vast Landscape Scenes 

I discover that, for my images, the candy spot is 24mm on a full-frame sensor or 16mm on a crop sensor digital camera. 

I’d not go any narrower than a 28mm and 18mm. 

Even although I like ultra-wide-angle lenses (15-20mm on full body and 10-15mm on APS-C), at such a focal size you attain an space of perspective distortion the place the foreground parts of the scene seem a lot bigger than in actuality. At 24mm, the distortion is minimal and nearly unnoticeable.  

See additionally: Best Nikon Landscape Lens

These days, I usually use a 20-24mm focal size to shoot ultra-wide scenes as a substitute of utilizing a 15-18mm. Since I can not match the complete composition into one shot, I take a number of pictures with 24mm and mix them right into a wide-angle panorama in Lightroom. 

I discover these wide-angle panoramas look extra pure with out the distraction of a perspective distortion. 

7. Durability

This is one other self-evident level. When you’re in the course of nowhere, the very last thing you need is to lose your predominant lens. 

8. Weather Sealing

One of the explanations I switched from Sony to Fujifilm is to have a real journey setup. For a very long time, I dreamed of getting a full weather-sealed digital camera and lens combo. This was unattainable to realize with Sony APS-C cameras. 

See additionally: Weather Sealed Cameras – a Complete List

After touring to the Pacific Coast of the United States and Hawaii on many events, I spotted that my tools was at all times liable to being ruined by the saltwater mud that’s at all times current within the air. Since then, climate sealing turned certainly one of my prime priorities for cameras and lenses. 

What is the Ideal Travel Lens?

There is not any such factor as the proper lens. There is at all times a compromise on sure features. So, you merely choose the mannequin that checks a lot of the necessities and ignore the lesser-important particulars. 

The Best Fujifilm Lens for Travel Photography (My Setup)

For two years, my main lens was the Fujifilm 18-135mm. 

If you run the lens in opposition to my 9 necessities, it checks a lot of the bins. Where it falls quick for me is within the space of dimension and weight. It is a bit too large and heavy for my style. 

Another problem the place I used to be not wholly content material is that it’s 18mm on the extensive finish somewhat than 16mm. 

1a. Fujinon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS WR

1. Compact Size and Weight: I want it was smaller and lighter (490g; 76 x 98 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes (27mm-200mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes (5 stops)
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes, however 16mm could be excellent
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

For that purpose, I’m presently testing Fujifilm’s new 16-80mm f/4 lens. It has the potential of changing into my main journey lens. I’m prepared to sacrifice a zoom attain on the lengthy finish (135mm) to get a smaller, lighter, and wider lens. 

1b. Fujinon 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes, barely (440g; 78 x 89 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes (24mm-120mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Still in means of testing
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes (6 stops)
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

My second selection is the ultra-wide zoom Fujifilm 10-24mm f/4 lens. I actually, actually love this lens. It is comparatively compact for such a focal vary and gives unparalleled picture high quality. 

2. Fujifilm 10-24mm f/4 OIS

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (410g; 78 x 87 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes (15mm-36mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Yes (distinctive)
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes (5 stops)
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

The solely shortcoming with this lens, from my perspective, is the shortage of climate sealing. In harsh climate circumstances, I discover myself switching it with the Fujifilm 18-135mm. 

See additionally: How Select the Best Fujifilm Lenses

My third lens in my journey setup is the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 prime. It is a singular lens. It is likely one of the oldest lenses within the Fujifilm lineup and it exhibits. It has a really noisy and sluggish autofocus, however I dwell with it due to the picture high quality it gives. 

3. Fujinon 35mm f/1.4

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (187g; 65 x 55 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed (50mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Yes (distinctive)
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Barely (road, portraits)
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

According to Fujifilm’s lens engineer, when designing the 35mm f/1.4 prime, that they had the selection of creating it optically excellent or optically distinctive. They selected the latter. From an optical perspective, it’s certainly one of my favourite lenses of all time. I hope Fujifilm introduces the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 M2 with fashionable autofocus quickly. 

The predominant shortcoming of this prime lens for touring is its lack of climate sealing and picture stabilization. 

Bonus Selection

I’ve one other lens that I exploit pretty usually. It is a specialty lens that I preserve for one function—astrophotography. 

The Samyang 12mm f/2 is a handbook focus lens that’s tiny, cheap, and gives surprisingly good picture high quality. 

4. Samyang 12mm f/2

I by no means hesitate to deliver it with me even on demanding journeys as a result of it takes up nearly no area in my bag and its weight is subsequent to nothing. 

Best Travel Lens for Sony APS-C Cameras

I’ve shot with Sony APS-C cameras for nearly 4 years and right here is journey lens package I used:

1. Sony 16-70mm f/4

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (308g; 66 x 75 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes (24-105mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

2. Sony 10-18mm f/4

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (225g; 70 x 64 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes (15-27mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes (not lengthy sufficient)
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: No (manufactured from plastic)
8. Weather Sealing: No

3. Sigma 30mm f/1.4

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (265g; 65 x 73 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed (45mm equal)
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

Best Travel Lens for Sony Full Frame Cameras

1. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS

1. Compact Size and Weight: No (663g; 83 x 113 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

2. Sony 16-35mm f/4 OSS

1. Compact Size and Weight: Almost (518g; 78 x 98 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes (not lengthy sufficient)
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

3. Sony 50mm f/1.8

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (186g; 67 x 60 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes/No (not f/1.4)
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

Best Travel Lens (EF-S) for Canon APS-C Cameras

It just isn’t simple to seek out high quality lenses for Canon crop sensor (APS-C) cameras. Canon treats the APS-C system as an entry-level format and attempting to push photographers towards a dearer full-frame system.

1. Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4

1. Compact Size and Weight: No (465g; 79 x 82 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

2. Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

1. Compact Size and Weight: Almost (385g; 84 x 90 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

3. Canon 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (190g; 69 x 56 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Limited (not quick sufficient)
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

Best Travel Lens (EF) for Canon Full Frame Cameras

1. Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS

1. Compact Size and Weight: No (795g; 83 x 118 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

2. Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS

1. Compact Size and Weight: Almost (615g; 83 x 112 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

3. Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (290g; 74 x 50 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: No
8. Weather Sealing: No

Best Travel Lens (DX) for Nikon APS-C Cameras

1. Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (480g; 80 x 85 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

2. Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8

1. Compact Size and Weight: Almost (560g; 89 x 92 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

3. Nikon 35mm f/1.8

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (200g; 70 x 53 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

Best Travel Lens (FX) for Nikon Full Frame Cameras

1. Nikon 24-120mm f/4G

1. Compact Size and Weight: No (710g; 84 x 103 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: Yes

2. Nikon 16-35mm f/4

1. Compact Size and Weight: No (680g; 82 x 125 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Yes
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

3. Nikon 50mm f/1.4G

1. Compact Size and Weight: Yes (280g; 73 x 54 mm)
2. Useful Zoom Range: Fixed
3. Good Image Quality: Yes
4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
5. Versatility: Yes
6. Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely
7. Durability: Yes
8. Weather Sealing: No

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