Ultimate Travel Lens Selection?

Skyline On Fire

Skyline On Fire

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Luke
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I'm going to be driving around Europe with my girlfriend for 2-3 months, starting early may this year. I use a Canon 7D body, and I'm trying to put together the ideal set of lenses to take, as I'm determined to self publish a few books or something on return, and I'm generally looking to boost my portfolio also.

Lens wise, what would you take? I currently own...

Canon 100 - 400 L series

Canon 50mm f1.8

Canon 17-85mm IS/USM


The 100-400 is coming, thats without a doubt, absolutely adore this lens and take it everywhere. The 50 1.8 is a flimsy thing but the images it gives really are quite spectacular and If I don't invest in the Sigma f1.4 50mm it'll definitely be coming too. The 17-85... It's a good lens dont get me wrong, good IS, fast focusing, no real issues, I just dont like it. I'm not even sure why, it performs fine, just not a lens I like to use. So I'd like a better walkabout lens to replace this.

Anyway, what would you take, budget isnt a huge deal but lets try and keep it reasonable, what would you recommend? I'll be traveling through the Alps, the south of France, Italy, Croatia, possibly onto Greece. I'll be shooting anything and everything in between.

Thanks in advance,
 
Do you only want to bring one lens around? I'd pick the 17-85mm if thats the case.

If I go on holiday around Europe I'd bring either of the 2 below from my stash
1) Ultra wide angle + 35mm prime
2) Ultra wide angle + medium zoom
 
Sell the 17-85 and buy a 15-85 or a 17-55 f2.8 (or the Tamron equivalent)
 
No no I meant what selection of lenses would you take, I definitely don't just want to take the one, and I'll be taking at least 2-3, I'm just looking at switching up my lineup and investing in better glass.
 
CSB said:
Sell the 17-85 and buy a 15-85 or a 17-55 f2.8 (or the Tamron equivalent)
Click to expand...

I'm really after a 17-55 f2.8 Canon, but it's so hard to find one second hand, they are like gold dust, and laying out 850 quid for it.... I could but I'm quite reluctant I must say! That could get me a Sigma 1.4 50mm and a Canon 10-22 with change to spare

As for the Tamron/Sigma equivalent of that lens, I've not really had a look at them, let alone shot with them. I'll have to take a look. The 17-55 2.8 Canon truly is a beautiful lens though after shooting with it a bit, and if it had the build quality and aesthetics of the 17-40L I'd probably already own it. But I'd love to buy this one second hand if possible.
 
Skyline On Fire said:
I'm really after a 17-55 f2.8 Canon, but it's so hard to find one second hand, they are like gold dust, and laying out 850 quid for it.... I could but I'm quite reluctant I must say! That could get me a Sigma 1.4 50mm and a Canon 10-22 with change to spare

As for the Tamron/Sigma equivalent of that lens, I've not really had a look at them, let alone shot with them. I'll have to take a look. The 17-55 2.8 Canon truly is a beautiful lens though after shooting with it a bit, and if it had the build quality and aesthetics of the 17-40L I'd probably already own it. But I'd love to buy this one second hand if possible.
Click to expand...

I would just take the two 100-400L and buy the 17-55 EFS, was in the same position you are, solved it by getting shot of the 85 buying new the 55 and then buying the new 70-300L not bothered that the 300 is not a fast lens (F4-F5.6) because I am a fair weather shooter,also have kept 60mm macro.
So think I covered my Bases and also kept down the lens count.

Disposing of the 17-85 would be the first option not a lens that is easy to sell on(part ex it against the 17-55).

I know what you mean I own the 17-55 and it is a very good lens.
Just thought I would mention that it is an EFS lens so made for the crop sensor bodies like the 7D.You would lose out on the wide angle but would push out a bit more on the zoom end (Think that's right) with the L series.

You will have to bite the bullet with this one,buy new and you will have the warranty as well as a cracking fast lens.

Regards.
 
Last edited:
Hi, the suggestions above are all fairly sensible.

I'd be VERY tempted to take an ultrawide angle though. Lots of advice on these in nearby threads on this subject. The Sigma 10-20 is decent, inexpensive and very compact for travelling. Others are, of course, available.

Hope you have a great trip.
 
Kerso has the 15-85 and I was very impressed with my mates. We did tests and it compared very well to the 24-105 iq wise. It's very good for the money. You would get about 175-80 for the 17-85 so 300 for a brand spanker overall would be a good buy methinks.
 
Anything left behind WILL be needed, probably on a daily basis.

I do now often leave my 50mm f/1.8 at home when on my travels/holidays - f/2.8 and a higher ISO is fine for low light with the D700 and I'm not a great fan of ultra shallow DoF. I tend to leave the 90mm Macro behind as well and needed it a few times last year, so might take it this time.
 
canonbabie said:
I would just take the two 100-400L and buy the 17-55 EFS, was in the same position you are, solved it by getting shot of the 85 buying new the 55 and then buying the new 70-300L not bothered that the 300 is not a fast lens (F4-F5.6) because I am a fair weather shooter,also have kept 60mm macro.
So think I covered my Bases and also kept down the lens count.

Disposing of the 17-85 would be the first option not a lens that is easy to sell on(part ex it against the 17-55).

I know what you mean I own the 17-55 and it is a very good lens.
Just thought I would mention that it is an EFS lens so made for the crop sensor bodies like the 7D.You would lose out on the wide angle but would push out a bit more on the zoom end (Think that's right) with the L series.

You will have to bite the bullet with this one,buy new and you will have the warranty as well as a cracking fast lens.

Regards.
Click to expand...

Yes the only way Ill be getting this lens it seems is if I buy new, damn shame, but I guess its necessary. Nothing matches it from what I've seen, and I'm in dire need of a walkabout lens that can match the 7D for quality.
 
gary43 said:
Hi, the suggestions above are all fairly sensible.

I'd be VERY tempted to take an ultrawide angle though. Lots of advice on these in nearby threads on this subject. The Sigma 10-20 is decent, inexpensive and very compact for travelling. Others are, of course, available.

Hope you have a great trip.
Click to expand...

Yes the idea of an ultrawide in the Alps is more than tempting! The wide end of a 17-55 f2.8 would be good enough I feel, but I could always use the versatility offered by the 10-22 or similar.
 
amtaylor said:
Kerso has the 15-85 and I was very impressed with my mates. We did tests and it compared very well to the 24-105 iq wise. It's very good for the money. You would get about 175-80 for the 17-85 so 300 for a brand spanker overall would be a good buy methinks.
Click to expand...

The 15-85 seems like a much higher quality version of the 17-85 I own now yes, and whilst it's a great lens I think for the price I'd step up a little more to the 17-55 f2.8. Definitely one to consider if I can find a good condition one on the classifieds though
 
Nod said:
Anything left behind WILL be needed, probably on a daily basis.

I do now often leave my 50mm f/1.8 at home when on my travels/holidays - f/2.8 and a higher ISO is fine for low light with the D700 and I'm not a great fan of ultra shallow DoF. I tend to leave the 90mm Macro behind as well and needed it a few times last year, so might take it this time.
Click to expand...

The 7D ISO is good enough to get away with f2.8 yes, but the 50 1.8 is such a cheap small little thing, it's no huge issue if it breaks or gets lost, and I can't leave it behind knowing how many great shots its got me unfortunately!
 
Skyline On Fire said:
I'm going to be driving around Europe with my girlfriend for 2-3 months, starting early may this year. I use a Canon 7D body, and I'm trying to put together the ideal set of lenses to take, as I'm determined to self publish a few books or something on return, and I'm generally looking to boost my portfolio also.

Lens wise, what would you take? I currently own...

Canon 100 - 400 L series

Canon 50mm f1.8

Canon 17-85mm IS/USM


The 100-400 is coming, thats without a doubt, absolutely adore this lens and take it everywhere. The 50 1.8 is a flimsy thing but the images it gives really are quite spectacular and If I don't invest in the Sigma f1.4 50mm it'll definitely be coming too. The 17-85... It's a good lens dont get me wrong, good IS, fast focusing, no real issues, I just dont like it. I'm not even sure why, it performs fine, just not a lens I like to use. So I'd like a better walkabout lens to replace this.

Anyway, what would you take, budget isnt a huge deal but lets try and keep it reasonable, what would you recommend? I'll be traveling through the Alps, the south of France, Italy, Croatia, possibly onto Greece. I'll be shooting anything and everything in between.

Thanks in advance,
Click to expand...

There is no ultimate travel lens (despite 1,001 threads asking about it) as everyone's style is different so the "right for you" lens will be different for every photographer.

I'll hazard a guess that 99% of everyone that asks this question has already got an idea what lens they want to buy next and is hoping someone will suggest it and justify the decision for them.

Skyline On Fire said:
I'm really after a 17-55 f2.8 Canon, but it's so hard to find one second hand, they are like gold dust, and laying out 850 quid for it.... I could but I'm quite reluctant I must say! That could get me a Sigma 1.4 50mm and a Canon 10-22 with change to spare

As for the Tamron/Sigma equivalent of that lens, I've not really had a look at them, let alone shot with them. I'll have to take a look. The 17-55 2.8 Canon truly is a beautiful lens though after shooting with it a bit, and if it had the build quality and aesthetics of the 17-40L I'd probably already own it. But I'd love to buy this one second hand if possible.
Click to expand...

Case proven..

Grow some hairy ones and just buy it :thumbs:
 
I suppose it depends upon the girlfriend and the relationship.

In the past my photography has deffo got in the way as when taking pictures I wasn't paying an awful lot of attention to the person I was with so during my last holiday I left the DSLR at home and took my GF1 and LX5. I got some nice pictures and I spent more time with the lady and had a better holiday.

If the relationship wasn't an issue...

I think I'd take my 20D, Siggy 12-24mm and a fast prime, probably 50mm f1.4 but I might just panic and take my 17-50mm f2.8 as it's a good general purpose lens.
 
Relationship isn't an issue, separate finances (for now!) and she's a reasonable sort. The main goal of the two months for me is to build up a lovely portfolio to be honest. Well that and have a jolly good time.

So far I'm thinking of taking my 100-400, 50mm f1.4 siggy (buy first) and a 17-55 f2.8 Canon (if I have the guts to spend another grand on camera equipment....)
 
I recently had 3 weeks travelling and found an UWA (12-24) invaluable, especially in cities - I probably used it for 70% of my shots. I also took along a 35mm prime and a 55-300 telephoto which worked well

Simon
 
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