Walk around lens quandry

[G-Slev]

We do a lot of cruises and hand luggage weight is at a premium. I currently take a sigma 10-20mm (which is actually in need of repair because the coating on the front element is damaged) and a sigma 24-70 f/2.8. I have however seen a few used Canoin 15-85mm IS lenses on MPB for a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with this lens and if so, would it be a good replacement walk round lens for the lenses above? I would prefer something which goes as wide as 10mm, but I can away with 15mm by shooting multiple image panos.

 

[Grumps1974]

I had a 15-85 a few years ago. It was a very very good lens - almost on a par with the Canon L series lenses. The only slight disadvantage was that it was f5.6 if I remember right at the long end. This tended to necessitate a higher ISO on less bright days. At the time this created a little more noise in shadow areas but the most recent cameras are much better at handling noise. I honestly cannot suggest a better walk around lens reasonably wide and with a fair reach. With other lenses they are either wider with less reach or nowhere near as wide but slightly longer. In my view this is the best compromise available.

 

[cambsno]

Would you look at getting a smaller camera and lighter setup - something like the Fuji range?

 

[tris101]

On a crop sensor the canon 17-55 f2.8 is a great walkabout lens not too heavy, great image quality, fast ish lens. the 24-70 on a crop sensor is not very wide. You might still need a 10-20 wide angle which you could pop in your coat pocket so save on hand luggage weight.

The 15-85 gets good reviews but its not fast enough for me.

What are you taking photos of mainly?

 

[swiftflo]

We also do a lot of cruises and I only take my 24 - 105mm lens which I find adequate in most cases.