I think I have way too much time to analyze things.

I reported in my last blog entry that I intended to ditch the 24-70mm f/2.8 VR II in lieu of using my 50mm and 70mm Sigma Macro lenses on my upcoming trip to Yellowstone.  I’m still sticking to the prime lens idea but there is a change of plan.

I realized that the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 macro wasn’t really solving a problem, as I am taking the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens on the trip. So I began searching for another option that gave me more wide angle coverage. I’ve owned 20mm, 24mm and 35mm primes in both the Canon and Nikon DSLR mounts. None of them ever wowed me with their image quality.

I dd a little research on alternative focal lengths and came across the Nikon 28mm f/1.8 G, which as it turns out is a fairly well liked low cost and light weight (330 grams) prime lens for the Full Frame Nikon DSLR.  A quick search on Adorama and the lens sells new for about $700. Not a bad price, but I thought I’d check out eBay and see what they were going for used. Lucky me, I found (and bought) a used copy from a highly rated US vendor at about half the price of a new lens.

So, the 70mm prime at 525 grams weight is out of the kit and the 28mm f/1.8 G at 330 grams is going to replace it.  That should get me more wide angle coverage and still keep the camera kit weight at a minimum.

It should arrive next week, so I’ll have some time to play with it. If it turns out I don’t like the new lens, I’ll just sell it on eBay and probably make my money back.