What is the right lens for me?

I have a Nikon D3100 and currently still have the kit 18-55mm lens. However, lately I have been looking into other options of lenses since I'm branching out.
I'm going overseas for the summer, and so that means I'll be carrying my camera around a lot, and having a slightly lighter lens than the 55mm would be fantastic, as well as being less bulky.

I've been looking at prime leses, both 50mm and 35mm.

Obviously I take a lot of shots while I'm traveling and being active. I do not take a lot of low-light shots, which is why I'm nervous about buying a 35mm. About 80% of my shots day-to-day are macro.

So basically I want a light weight, macro friendly Nikon lens. Any suggestions in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Sigma make a nice 105mm macro lens for a lot less bucks than a Nikon equivalent.

http://www.photozone.de/...rt--review

and for comparison: http://www.ebay.com/...0914913815

You have the tool you need right now to see which focal length is best for you.

For a full day, walk around with your 18-55 mm lens taped at 35 mm. The next day, tape it at 50 mm.

Within those two days, you will see which is best for you or not.

It may be that buying the 55-200 mm lens will give you the reach you may enjoy when shooting some wildlife, action or sports.

However, you say that 80% of your shots are macro. Why is it you have not considered the Nikkor AF-S 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens. It would be a much better fit

The 35mm and the 50mm are both good for everyday photography but the 35mm is more useful since it gives a wider field of view. I own both lenses.

There's one lens which you left out. The 40mm 2.8G DX. I also own this lens. Its just as sharp as both the 35mm and the 50mm but its not as fast.

The 35mm and 50mm are both poor choices for macro work since they are not designed for close focusing.

The 40mm macro is actually sharper and produces better Bokeh than the 35mm 1.8G but obviously not as fast.

http://www.nikonusa.com/...F2.8G.html

This is probably the perfect lens for your needs. I really like mine allot.

Still have the 18-55mm? It seems you're planning on ditching that fine lens.

You buy additional lenses to add to your existing one. The new lens should increase your flexibility as a photographer. You don't replace lenses as much as possible. You also try not to overlap their uses.

http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html

Actually, that 18-55mm is very light. Some primes are heavier. 35mm does not necessarily mean it's for low-light. Read the link above. If what you do is macro most of the time, buy a macro lens. Macros aren't light so you may need a tripod to keep it steady.

Overseas, the 18-55mm will do great. The wide end will allow you to capture a lot of the scenery. You can even take selfies with those landmarks at your back if you are agile enough. A heavy duty wrist strap or grip would be useful in this case. Normally, you don't go shooting macro when you're out there in another place.

I dropped my 18-55 kit lens for a 18-105 and love it… My sister has a 18-200 and likes the extra reach. All 3 take good (enough) macro photos just depends on your wallet
look into Cameta or B&H. Or even Adorama websites. Also EBAY can be nice for couch-bound shopping