San Francisco Walk-Around Lens

[dmw16]

I am heading off for a trip to Napa and then San Francisco and I am trying to decide which lens(es) to take. When we are in Napa we'll have a car so I'll bring everything, but when we are out on San Francisco on foot I will probably go with one walk around lens. My choices are:

Nikon 12-24 f/4
Nikon 17-55 f/2.8
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8

I will be shooting on a D7000.

Thanks.

 

[Syborg1211]

Personally, I would go with the 17-55, but that's because I rarely zoom past 50, and I love the wide end. If you are the opposite and find yourself not using the wide end much and liking to zoom in on things, then take the 28-75. The 12-24 is not a walk-around lens unless you're walking around the grand canyon.

 

[dmw16]

The 12-24 is not a walk-around lens unless you're walking around the grand canyon.

Hahaha! I think I knew this but was trying to convince myself that the 12-24 would be fine, but you're right I think. The 17-55 I listed is one I will rent. I was thinking I could save a few bucks by not, but compared to the cost of the trip, it's worth a few bucks to get the shots I want. Or at least not have a lens be an excuse.

 

[tenthumbs]

Hahaha! I think I knew this but was trying to convince myself that the 12-24 would be fine, but you're right I think. The 17-55 I listed is one I will rent. I was thinking I could save a few bucks by not, but compared to the cost of the trip, it's worth a few bucks to get the shots I want. Or at least not have a lens be an excuse.

I have both a D7000 and the 17-55 lens. It's quite a heavy lens so keep that in mind if you're truly spending your time walking around. Love it though...

 

[Syborg1211]

I didn't realize you were looking at renting each of these lenses. Check out the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8. I own this lens, and it is my favorite walk-around/vacation lens. It's not quite as big as the Nikon version and has OS, which the Nikon does not.

 

[Xonim]

When I was in SF last year, I took 90% of the pictures with the 35mm f/1.8. There was only two situations in which I wish I had a longer reach, and both had to do with views of Alcatraz from further up in the city.

If it could only be one lens, I'd definitely go with the 17-55 f/2.8.

PS: HIGHLY recommend the night tours of Alcatraz, but for the love of God don't be boneheaded like I was and not bring a tripod. I was presented with an opportunity for several AMAZING shots from the island at night. I took 26 handheld shots with longer exposures, hoping for just one to turn out. I knew immediately which one I wanted to turn out after I took it, and luckily, that was the only one of the 26 to turn out without some sort of light streaking due to my shakiness. Definitely bring your tripod if you do a night tour.

 

[corkyg]

Or, at least a monopod!

 

[CptObvious]

I would recommend an UWA and midrange 2.8 zoom (17-5X). On my trip to NYC last week, I took a Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and never felt the need for anything else. In fact, even those two lenses felt a bit heavy with a D5100, walking around all day in the summer.

 

[SecurityTheatre]

You could always do something like the 18-200 if you were feeling like you might want more range AND a lighter lens.

But the 17-55 is the best performer of the set if weight and cost aren't as much of a consideration.

 

[jpeyton]

17-55 hands down. The other two really aren't in the same class, although the Tamron 17-50/2.8 does a nice imitation for half the price.

 

[dmw16]

I didn't realize you were looking at renting each of these lenses. Check out the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8. I own this lens, and it is my favorite walk-around/vacation lens. It's not quite as big as the Nikon version and has OS, which the Nikon does not.

I own the 12-24 and the 28-75 I'd have to rent the 17-55. I ended up opting to just take what I already own and take one or the other depending on the day. I think most days will be the 28-75.

As for Alcatraz it was all we could do to get an over priced ticket on Craigslist. I figured 2 weeks out would be enough but I was wrong. So we are going on the afternoon tour.

 

[Throckmorton]

I'm surprised how zoom-averse you guys are.

 

[SecurityTheatre]

I'm surprised how zoom-averse you guys are.

Explain, please....

 

[Muse]

I'm surprised how zoom-averse you guys are.

If I was walking around S.F. with my DSLR I'd want my Pentax SMC DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens. It's incredibly versatile, reasonably sharp. It's the lens I brought to last year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. I was on skates!

As for Alcatraz it was all we could do to get an over priced ticket on Craigslist. I figured 2 weeks out would be enough but I was wrong. So we are going on the afternoon tour.

Have never been to Alcatraz. Is it that interesting? I brought my P&S to Angel Island a few years ago.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Hope the fog stays away for you. This summer has been really clear though.

 

[corkyg]

I held off on this because I was not walking around - my brother was flying me around in his plane (out of Oakland) - this was my view of Alcatraz.

 

[acx]

Hope the fog stays away for you. This summer has been really clear though.

You mean like this? LoL.

 

[Railgun]

Hope the fog stays away for you. This summer has been really clear though.

Who are you kidding?

Was there from 7/9-14. Fog everywhere. Was disappointed I couldn't get a clear shot
of Golden Gate.

Also note, if you want something else, there's a Calumet Photo in the Mission District.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

last week was the foggiest ever. I was watching the news on Thursday at dinner and they said it was the foggiest this year, showed a video feed from SF Downtown and it was just fog. Nothing else. LOL. Like 10 foot visibility. I saw the same driving to my gf's place on Friday.

UWA on Twin Peaks is useful though...

 

[Railgun]

UWA on Twin Peaks is useful though...

Would have loved a shot like that. Unfortunately for me, it was essentially rain up there.

 

[Muse]

Hope the fog stays away for you. This summer has been really clear though.

I'm on the other side of the bay in Berkeley. It was exceptionally clear here all spring, in fact until July. The "June gloom" never happened. All in all, not bad. My vegetables are loving it. Hasn't been much hot weather at all so far either.