Re: New Zealand family trip - sanity check on lens selection
As has already been said, what lenses you should take depends on a lot of factors which are personal to you. I will tell you what I'd take but obviously what I'd take may not work at all for you.
For context, I live in Australia but my wife is from NZ and I have gone there frequently over the years. I have done a number of the longer (multiday) hikes there, I've been to places like Queenstown and Doubtful Sound, etc, as well as some of the cities. I have several large prints hanging up at home which were taken in NZ.
Personally, the first lens in my bag would be a standard zoom of some sort. I use a 24-70mm f/2.8 now but obviously there are other options such as 20-70/4, 24-105/4, even 20-200 these days. When I had a DSLR I used a 24-70/4 quite a lot, including for longer hikes. If the size and weight isn't an issue though, I do prefer having f/2.8 available.
Second lens in my bag would be a telephoto zoom, eg 70-180/200 (I currently have a Tamron 70-180/2.8) or 50-300/400. That assumes I didn't go with a 20-200mm to cover the standard zoom spot.
If I left it at that, that would be fine. However, I'd usually take a relatively fast 35mm or similar as well, for low light and for shadow depth of field shots.
And if I took another lens, it would be a relatively small and light ultra wide angle lens of some sort.
I know you've said you prefer primes, but especially if I'm travelling with family, I need to be able to take photos relatively quickly, not be messing around with lens changes too often, so I would want a zoom or two with me. But as I said, what I'd take may not work for you.
Re: New Zealand family trip - sanity check on lens selection
As has already been said, what lenses you should take depends on a lot of factors which are personal to you. I will tell you what I'd take but obviously what I'd take may not work at all for you.
For context, I live in Australia but my wife is from NZ and I have gone there frequently over the years. I have done a number of the longer (multiday) hikes there, I've been to places like Queenstown and Doubtful Sound, etc, as well as some of the cities. I have several large prints hanging up at home which were taken in NZ.
Personally, the first lens in my bag would be a standard zoom of some sort. I use a 24-70mm f/2.8 now but obviously there are other options such as 20-70/4, 24-105/4, even 20-200 these days. When I had a DSLR I used a 24-70/4 quite a lot, including for longer hikes. If the size and weight isn't an issue though, I do prefer having f/2.8 available.
Second lens in my bag would be a longer telephoto. That assumes I didn't go with a 20-200mm to cover the standard zoom spot.
If I left it at that, that would be fine. However, I'd usually take a relatively fast 35mm or similar as well, for low light and for shadow depth of field shots.
And if I took another lens, it would be a relatively small and light ultra wide angle lens of some sort.
I know you've said you prefer primes, but especially if I'm travelling with family, I need to be able to take photos relatively quickly, not be messing around with lens changes too often, so I would want a zoom or two with me. But as I said, what I'd take may not work for you.
Re: New Zealand family trip - sanity check on lens selection
As has already been said, what lenses you should take depends on a lot of factors which are personal to you. I will tell you what I'd take but obviously what I'd take may not work at all for you.
For context,I live in Australia but my wife is from NZ and I have gone there frequently over the years. I have done a number of the longer (multiday) hikes there, I've been to places like Queenstown and Doubtful Sound, etc. I have several large prints hanging up at home which were taken in NZ.
Personally, the first lens in my bag would be a standard zoom of some sort. I use a 24-70mm f/2.8 now but obviously there other options such as 20-70/4, 24-105/4, even 20-200 these days. When I had a DSLR I used a 24-70/4 for longer hikes. If the size and weight isn't an issue though, I so prefer have f/2.8 available.
Second lens in my bag would be a longer telephoto. That assumes I didn't go with a 20-200mm to cover the standard zoom spot.
If I left it at that, that would be fine. However, I'd usually take fast 35mm or similar as well.
And if I took a fourth lens, it would be a relatively small and light ultra wide angle lens of some sort.
I know you've said you prefer primes, but if I'm travelling with family, I need to be able to take photos relatively quickly, not be needing around with lens changes too often, so I would want a zoom or two with me. Bit as I said, what I'd take may not work for you.
Have a great time in NZ, whatever gear you take!
Feb 05, 2026 at 06:33 AM
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