I owned a D90 with kit lens of 18-105mm nikkor ... i like street & scenery photography ... as im planning my long travelling trip to western europe backpacking for 1 month... intend to get a 11-16mm f.28 tokina (for scenery shots & low light condition) & 18-200mm VR II nikkor lens as the combination. Feel free to drop some notes on your ideal lens as traveller ... each person have different preference for sure, however, there's no perfect lens for everyone. :)

well... im a newbie in photography .... jus few months old ... :)

Everybody says the 18-200 VR is just about the best "all around' lens made. Don't see what you would need the 11-16 for if you have 18mm covered, just step back a few extra steps in most cases will get you the same...

I rented the 18-200 VR (original version, not the updated one). It is quite handy and overall a quite decent lens. It "feels" cheap, but performs quite well in most cases. If carrying less is better, just go with this one.

i suppose 11-16mm gv wider angle coverage ... :)

That specific Tokina is a wonderful lens. Always good to have an option to go wider than 18mm (remember this is DX format).
Good choice - I hope that the newer 18 - 200's don't still slide out when carried vertically like mine used to do.

yup ... that's what in my mine... an option for wider angle if needed... as i'll be travelling there for 1 month, not too short or too long trip... didnt want to miss out any chance to get nice shots ... read alot review about the new 18-200mm VR II which they have resolve quite few problem from the older version ... i'll be getting this tokina in probably 2 weeks time ... n still considering change my 18-105mm (kit lens) to 18-200mm ... quite tight budget now ...

My travel combination, with the D90, is the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and the Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 AF-S VR. I sometimes also take the Tamron 11-18 along, if space/weight is not too much of an issue. It is a fair bit bigger than what you propose, but I feel that I get much better image quality out of it, and it still stays quite manageable. I also really appreciate the extra reach of 300mm in many situations. Just my 2c.

18-200 is heavy too.

I'd take the 18-55 VR and a 35 1.8.

Or just the 35 1.8. Taking less means you shoot more and shoot better IMHO. One or two primes is best. One is best if you are new to shooting. Let your mind really get used to working with a specific focal length. And as Clyde says - use your feet to zoom. And if you want good photos? Get closer!!!

:-)

alex - i personally think that 70-300 is way too heavy & it's best if use along with a monopod ... i've tried this lens before hand jus for short while & my hand already feel tired ... 18-50 will b good ...

richard - understand what u mean with Clyde quote ... where u truly master the focal length.... yday i was chatting wit my fren who recent month travelled to Cambodia with his prime lens, if not mistaken is 55mm nikkor. He mention have he misses out alot of shots due to prime lens limitation ... ofcoz when he shot potrait, the result is really good.

for serious or expert 18-200mm ... is a piece of junk to them ... however, for beginner like me think that it work the best ....

18-105 is fine too. Any lens can be used to make great shots. As for missing out on shots - well that is where the practice, experience and getting used to a focal length come in. You may miss the shot that you think you need - but if you are thinking 100% and practised at the focal length you never miss because you know the shot that is there and how to take it with what you have.

understood .... :)

traveller photographer like me always like the easy way out n convenience... hehehe ....

Hi, a recommended lens for travelling is the Nikkor 16-85 VR ( even I would prefer a fixed focal lens ;)