Zoom lens recommendations?

[Linda D.]

I've just purchased my first DSLR, a Nikon D500 with the 300mm f/4 PF ED VR lens. In looking for a second lens to complement the 300mm, I find myself boggled by the number of choices. My criteria are not too heavy (preferably less than 600 g), wide angle to short telephoto (20–100ish range), but would that range mean too much of a gap between the upper reach of the zoom lens and the 300mm prime? Any advice on which to choose or how to evaluate? Thanks!

 

[DRwyoming]

I've just purchased my first DSLR, a Nikon D500 with the 300mm f/4 PF ED VR lens. In looking for a second lens to complement the 300mm, I find myself boggled by the number of choices. My criteria are not too heavy (preferably less than 600 g), wide angle to short telephoto (20–100ish range), but would that range mean too much of a gap between the upper reach of the zoom lens and the 300mm prime? Any advice on which to choose or how to evaluate? Thanks!

Linda,
What are your intended subjects for this lens. Is it a general walk around and travel photography lens or do you think you'll shoot a lot of landscapes and scenics with the wider zoom?

If landscapes interest you then I'd suggest something like the Nikon 16-85mm DX f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens on a budget or the 16-80mm DX f/2.8-f/4 if you have the funds. Either are good for covering wider angle views which is very handy in scenic and landscape photography. They're both also good general purpose travel and walkaround lenses. The more expensive 16-80mm lens is a bit bulkier and heavier so that can be a negative for a travel lens but it is a very nice piece of optics and better in low light situations and also a bit better for portraits as it's easier to blur the background with its wider aperture choices. But I've owned and used both lenses and like them quite a bit and both can deliver very nice images.

If the wide end isn't that important to you then there's a number of lenses in the 24-120mm range that give you a bit more on the long end but you lose that wide angle view that can be handy to take in big scenes.

In terms of lens selection strategies I generally suggest folks starting out don't try to cover every available focal length from super wide to super telephoto. It can actually complicate things a bit as you have to decide what lens to mount and which to carry into the field if you work away from the car at all. When starting out it makes more sense to have the ends covered (wide and long) depending on your interests and spend a lot of time figuring out what those can do for you. After a while you can look at what you captured and think about what might be missing and then work on filling just those gaps instead of trying to cover every photographic possibility. I also think spending a lot of time with just one or just a couple of lenses is a really good way to improve the way you see photographically. It teaches many things like composing with your feet instead of standing still and zooming which is the key to mastering perspective.

As you say, lot's of choices but I'd personally recommend either the 16-85mm DX lens or the 16-80mm DX lens depending on what fits your budget and what you're willing to carry around as a good wide zoom for the D500.

 

[Linda D.]

Thank you! This is exactly the sort of advice I was looking for. I like your recommendation to figure out the ends before trying to fill in any gaps. Thanks also for narrowing down the field. Tremendously appreciated.