Apart from using a high-quality camera, you’ll need an excellent lens for travel photography if you want to bring home portrait-worthy memoirs of your travels. However, there is no one-size-fits-all lens that can cover all your needs. Gathering from professional experience, you may need to bring various lenses for each trip if you want to take stunning travel photos. This means always bringing your best lens for travel photography.
Which travel lenses should you bring along? First, you’ll need to consider the available lighting and weather conditions at your destination and the lens’s features that suit the outdoor conditions in that city or country.
Camera Lens Features You Need to Consider
There are several crucial factors to consider when selecting lenses for travel photography. First, you’ll need a camera lens that can handle varying lighting conditions and a flexible zoom range.
Mount Compatibility
Camera manufacturers today have introduced multiple types of lens mounts. Some of these mounts are RF, EF-M, EF and EF-S. When you purchase a lens, make sure its mount is compatible with your camera.
Aperture
The aperture of a lens is represented by the letter F followed by a stop number. This feature helps you determine the amount of light entering into your camera. Your camera’s aperture refers to the hole inside the lens that lets the light into the camera’s sensor. A larger aperture on the lens allows more light into the sensor, while a smaller aperture lets less light through.
Many walk-around lenses have a variable maximum aperture, which means the F numbers will change as you zoom in and out, i.e., depending on the focal lengths. For example, your camera may start with a good aperture value such as f/3.5 (the smaller number indicates a larger hole on the lens or higher aperture). However, the aperture can drop down to f/5.6 when you zoom in.
When working with the best lens for travel photography, an aperture of f/4 is best for shooting solo subjects. But, you may need to set it to f/11 if you’re doing landscape photography and taking group photos. In addition, look for a lens with a higher maximum aperture for best results.
Focal Lengths
Focal length refers to the magnification of a camera lens. It refers to the ability to zoom in and out. This value is represented in millimeters. The higher the number, the more magnification you can get from a camera lens. In point-and-shoot cameras, the magnification is represented as 5x or 10x zooms.
However, when dealing with lenses for travel photography, the focal length is expressed in terms such as 50mm and 100mm. This setting means that a 100mm lens has double the focal length of a 50mm one. Therefore, select a lens that can go from 16 to 30mm on the wide and narrow settings at 70 to 150mm.
Autofocus
Things tend to happen fast when you travel, and you need a lens with a reliable autofocus system (AF) to capture subjects on the go. These lenses should allow you to snap pictures of those fleeting moments before they’re history.
Filter Thread
A camera’s filter thread is also known as the filter ring. It refers to the threaded front section of a lens, which allows you to attach lens hoods, filters and other accessories. When choosing the best lens for travel photography, check the diameter of the filter thread to determine which filters will fit.
Some of the most valuable filters for any travel photographer include:
- Neutral density filter
- Polarizing filter
- UV filter
Polarizing filters are especially useful when photographing the sky or water features. These filters come in different sizes so that they can fit different filter thread sizes. Double check the millimeters listed on the filter to ensure it will fit on your lens.
Portability
The weight and size of the lens will ultimately affect its portability. Sometimes, it’s all a matter of personal preference. One travel photographer may be okay with lugging around large, heavy lenses, while a street photography enthusiast may prefer lighter and smaller lenses. At the end of the day, you get to choose how much camera equipment you like carrying with you when traveling.
Image Stabilization
Different manufacturers have introduced different types of stabilization technologies. For instance, Nikon uses VR, while Panasonic introduced OIS. However, the goal behind image stabilization remains the same regardless of the technology or approach. The end goal is to compensate for any hand movement that may occur while you shoot your photos. This feature allows you to get better image quality and avoid photo blur even if you shoot pictures at slower shutter speeds.
Image stabilization technologies today offer 3 to 5 stabilization stops. A stop refers to the doubling or halving of the available light entering the lens.
Tip: the minimum shutter speed a lens allows you to take excellent photos is the inverse of the allowable focal length. For example, if you’re using a 50 mm lens to ensure better image stabilization, don’t shoot at 1/50th of a second shutter speed. Also, if you’re using a 200 mm lens, you can only shoot at 1/200th of second shutter speeds.
The Best Lenses for Travel Photography
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
The Canon EF 24-105mm is an excellent choice for a walk-around everyday-carry travel lens. As a full-frame lens, it offers outstanding performance providing great pictures for landscape photography and portraits. The only downside is that this full-frame travel lens is quite pricey.
Specs and Features:
- 1.77 lbs.
- 24-70mm focal length
- F2.8 constant maximum aperture
- Wide-angle lens (focal length can exceed 50mm)
- 82mm filters
- Ring-type USM
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3
This Nikon Z mirrorless camera lens features solid build quality and a wide zoom range. It is a telephoto zoom lens that provides excellent image quality, allowing you to capture stills of wildlife and people on the move unobtrusively. You can take vivid images across its wide focal length. It’s also great for the outdoors with weather sealing that protects the lens from moisture and dust.
Specs and Features:
- 24-200mm telephoto lens
- Built-in vibration reduction
- Optical image stabilization
- Nikon Z mounting type
- 8.3 optical zoom
- 200mm maximum focal length
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8
This Olympus travel camera features a wide focal length of 12mm to 28mm, making it a good option if you’re looking for a micro four-thirds camera. Apart from that, it has an aperture of f/2.8, which performs well across all focal lengths. In addition, the dust and weather sealing of this Olympus provides ample protection from varying weather conditions. The only downside to M. Zuiko is its size and weight. As a result, it can be a bit bulky in your camera bag.
Specs and Features:
- Wide-angle lens
- Micro four-thirds compatible
- 14mm max focal length
- Splash and dustproof body construction
- Features 3 Super ED Elements
- Weighs 1.18 lbs
Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC
If you’re looking for more value for your money, the Tamron 28-300mm fits the bill. It’s an excellent everyday lens that works well for many Canon cameras. This camera is lightweight and its compact design allows it to fit in any camera bag.
Specs and Features:
- Telephoto zoom lens
- 300mm maximum focal length
- Canon EF compatible mounting
- Features three aspherical elements
- Lightweight and compact
- Vibration compensation system
- f/3.5 maximum aperture
- F3.5 – F6.3 full aperture range
- 67mm photo filter thread size
- Weighs 1.19 lbs
Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3
If you’re on a budget and are looking for a great overall travel lens, the Sigma 18-300 is worth considering. It allows you to cover a wide focal length (29mm – 480mm) while offering outstanding image stabilization. In addition, the lens features quiet autofocus, perfect for taking photos of birds without frightening them away.
Specs and Features:
- Canon EF compatible mounting
- Optical Stabilization
- Wide-angle lens
- 18-300 mm focal length
- 1:2 maximum magnification ratio
- Hyper Sonic Motor AF System
- f/6.3 maximum aperture
- 72mm photo filter thread
- 0.39 meters minimum operating distance
Panasonic Lumix G Vario Lens
The Lumix G Vario can be a good option if you’re looking for a micro four-thirds lens that will be easy on the budget. It gives you plenty of options when you’re out in the field with 14-40mm and f/3.5 to 5.6 settings. However, the downside is that you don’t get weather resistance. But, if it’s a tradeoff you can live with, then this budget lens will work quite nicely.
Specs and Features
- Mirrorless micro four-thirds lens
- Features LUMIX Power Optical Image Stabilization for superior image stability
- Fisheye lens type
- Fast and accurate focus
- Captures exceptional videos
- f/5.6 maximum aperture
- The aperture range is f3.5 to 5.6
- Weighs 3.52 ounces
Panasonic Lumix G Leica 8-18mm F2.8-4.0
Sometimes you won’t notice the Panasonic Lumix G Leica in your camera bag because it’s very light (only 0.69 lbs). It allows you to shoot at varying lighting conditions and works as a durable outdoor camera, featuring a freezeproof, dustproof and splashproof metal body construction.
Specs and Features:
- 73.4-millimeter wide-angle lens
- Micro four-thirds compatible mounting
- 4k video support
- High-speed autofocus
- Outstanding weather sealing
- 18mm maximum focal length
- f/2.8 maximum aperture
- Total weight 0.69 lbs
Sony E 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 OSS
This budget-friendly lens is designed for Sony APS-C cameras. It performs well across the available focal length while providing excellent image stabilization. As a result, it works as a perfect option for beginners in travel photography.
Specs and Features:
- Standard, wide-angle, telephoto lens
- Weighs 0.72 lbs
- f/3.5 – f/5.6 maximum aperture range
- f/3.5 – f/5.6 maximum format size
- Precise, fast and quiet autofocus system
- Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology
- Features 2x ED and 1x aspherical glass elements
- 135 maximum focal length
Your camera’s lens will have a powerful impact on the quality of the image you create during your travels. So, take the time to plan your itinerary and determine which lenses to bring. This will help you decide whether to focus on city, landscape, wildlife or street photography as you go on your adventure. Then, choose the lens to match the lighting, weather and other conditions, which will allow you to capture every timeless moment in vivid photos and videos.