All-in-one lens/walkabout

[Quacker1964]

This is aimed at those who have used one lens to cover all focal lengths. I will be traveling from the UK in less than 5 weeks now. I will be using a Canon camera and only want to bring/carry one lens around the parks. At present I have Sigma 18-55mm or a superior Tamron 28-75 which is better quality but with the crop factor not wide enough.

Stepping down to f8 in the Florida light (infinitely brighter than UK) I'm looking at a few other zooms. Anyone with experience care to advise on a decent quality lens - please bear in mind I'm aware of compromise and limitations.

I'd imagine the 18-250 or 18-270 too much of a compromise, even though on occasion the extra reach might be useful.

I'm also considering the 15-85 or 18-135 Canons as well as the aforementioned Superzooms.

I don't want to be carrying more than one lens or any large camera bags. This trip will be last for a while in the parks, so looking to take photographs as opposed to rides.

Any thoughts/experiences?

Regards

Steve

 

[NLD]

I don't shoot Canon, so hopefully some of those folks will chime in soon, as they'll know specifics on Canon lenses.

However, just in terms of focal length: my first trip to WDW with a crop DSLR, I took an 18-105 lens and a 35 1.8 lens. Cheap camera, cheap lenses, no ultra-wide, no far-reaching telephoto.

And for a lightweight kit, it was pretty awesome. 18-105mm covered almost everything I wanted to shoot.

Do consider a small, light, fast prime, though. Some of them are SO small, it would be a shame to not just throw one in a pocket or something.... and they make all the difference in low light.

 

[cobright]

I am attempting the same strategy myself this september.

I have been very happy with my Tamron 28-300mm. Yes there are limitations, especially at either extreme of that range but they are really quite modest for such a compact zoom. Having that reach when you need it is kind of comforting as well.

I will probably be bringing a fast Normal Prime as well just to be thorough but I'm really trying not to need it.

 

[nbaresejr]

I hope Scott Smith responds to this thread. He takes amazing pictures with the Canon 18-135. Looking at his flickr stuff I believe it was his primary lens for some time.

I dont believe you need anything with more zoom then that. During my trips I found I only needed the longer zoom in the Animal Kingdom. Other then that I found that wider was better. If i was made to carry 1 lens in my kit it would be the 17-50 2.8. Its fast enough to take decent low light shots and was more then enough zoom for normal walk around.

If i was going to buy 1 lens for Disney it would prob be the Canon 15-85. Its wide enough at 15 for decent UWA (i know its not really an UWA) shots and long enough at 85 for any walk around purpose. The only bad thing about it is the aperture, in lower light it will struggle a bit and need higher iso.

 

[photo_chick]

With what you listed on a crop body at WDW I'd go for the 18-135. It's solid quality with the range I'd want.

 

[Quacker1964]

Thanks for the early replies. I do have more lenses already, inc a little 50mm Canon 1.4 which is great, but the main reason for the one lens is I do not want to be changing lenses in park - not so much so I can travel light, but with the possibility of dropping a lens, dust or grit getting into the mirror and potentially oil/lotion covered hands etc.

I can take kit and leave at villa and change lenses on a daily basis. That may work.

Interesting to not not one rec for the Sigma 18-250 or Tamron 18-270. Not even the older (cheaper) 18-200. I guess they are a step too far.

15-85 or 18-135 (24-135 and 28-216 slr equivalent after crop) are interesting. A second solution is a second body (Canon) and commandeer another photographer in the party lol. Any excuse for a new toy

Wonder if cheaper to buy in Orlando area than UK ........

 

[bob100]

15-85 or 18-135 (24-135 and 28-216 slr equivalent after crop) are interesting. A second solution is a second body (Canon) and commandeer another photographer in the party lol. Any excuse for a new toy

Wonder if cheaper to buy in Orlando area than UK ........

My vote would be for the 18-135, the newer STM version if the budget allows. (Don't get the 28-135 !)

 

[hakepb]

Gee, no one has mentioned the new Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 (constant zoom)?

 

[Stitch_Is_King]

I used the Canon 18-135 on our last trip and found it to be more than acceptable for most uses. The only time I switched to a longer telephoto lens was at Animal Kingdom.

 

[photo_chick]

Gee, no one has mentioned the new Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 (constant zoom)?

The f/1.8 is great but it's just not got enough range for what I'd personally want at WDW. It's all about tradeoff's though and someone else might be more than happy to give up the range for the wider aperture.

 

[Animagic!]

Gee, no one has mentioned the new Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 (constant zoom)?

I would love to get this lens! (Just gotta cough up the money! lol) I think it would make a great park lens or travel lens. I love wide angles and wide apertures. But that's just me. People who value zoom probably wouldn't want the Sigma. It's all about your personal preferences and shooting style.

When I'm in the parks I'll carry a zoom and a prime. I usually start the day with the 17-50mm 2.8 and end the day with the 30mm 1.4. I rarely want to zoom beyond 50mm. I have a 70-300mm but I almost never use it. I like the 17-50's flexibility but I generally end up leaving the 30mm on most of the day. I love that lens!

I'd suggest the 15-85. Or the 18-135 if you want that extra zoom. Go with your gut and what appeals most to your shooting style. I'd also suggest skipping on the Nifty Fifty. 50mm is awkward. Too much zoom for dark rides and general pictures. Not enough zoom for distant subjects. My 50mm 1.8 is fun for specific, creative shots but it doesn't make for a great walk around/ do-all lens.

 

[wiigirl]

With what you listed on a crop body at WDW I'd go for the 18-135. It's solid quality with the range I'd want.

 

[ronfin]

When I shot with a 7D my walk-around lens, and Disney favorite, was the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. Superb glass! Same quality as a red ring, and on a 1.6 crop pretty great range.

I'm on a 5D Mk III now and only took one lens last week. I took the 24-105mm, and that's all I needed. I'd first ask what kind of photography you'll be focusing on? That will help narrow down your lens needs better.

 

[Quacker1964]

Gee, no one has mentioned the new Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 (constant zoom)?

Even with the crop factor, that's just not enough reach. I already have an 18-55mm kit lens (earlier type with Canons - mediocre at best and nowhere near as good as the one mentioned above).

I'm looking at:

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - quite expensive but a super quality lens
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS - a little wider
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 USM IS
Sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC HSM OS - a little more reach.

I'm hoping to try out one of the superzooms before I travel - this will enable me to eliminate it form the contenders

Thanks for the input - especially having experienced using said lenses in the parks

 

[SkaGoat]

I used my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 almost exclusively in the parks my last trip

 

[SrisonS]

I'd suggest the Canon 18-135 if you want to stick with one lens. It was my main lens for quite some time, and I really like it. There won't be many times where you'll feel too close are too far from nailing your shot, even at AK (unless you want to get really tight on the animals). In fact, if I'm going somewhere that I'm unfamiliar with (like how near/far my subjects will be), I'm pretty much certain to take that lens along, and know i won't be disappointed. It also produces good quality pics, which is nice.

 

[R o y]

Thanks for the early replies. I do have more lenses already, inc a little 50mm Canon 1.4 which is great, but the main reason for the one lens is I do not want to be changing lenses in park - not so much so I can travel light, but with the possibility of dropping a lens, dust or grit getting into the mirror and potentially oil/lotion covered hands etc.

I can take kit and leave at villa and change lenses on a daily basis. That may work.

Interesting to not not one rec for the Sigma 18-250 or Tamron 18-270. Not even the older (cheaper) 18-200. I guess they are a step too far.

15-85 or 18-135 (24-135 and 28-216 slr equivalent after crop) are interesting. A second solution is a second body (Canon) and commandeer another photographer in the party lol. Any excuse for a new toy

Wonder if cheaper to buy in Orlando area than UK ........

Check out kingdom camera rentals, rent and try before you buy

 

[ronfin]

Even with the crop factor, that's just not enough reach. I already have an 18-55mm kit lens (earlier type with Canons - mediocre at best and nowhere near as good as the one mentioned above).

I'm looking at:

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - quite expensive but a super quality lens
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS - a little wider
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 USM IS
Sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC HSM OS - a little more reach.

I'm hoping to try out one of the superzooms before I travel - this will enable me to eliminate it form the contenders

Thanks for the input - especially having experienced using said lenses in the parks

I used that lens last year on a 7D before I moved to the 5D Mk III, and that lens is AMAZING! Superb quality glass exactly like the L series. It was wide enough on a crop for me at Disney, and at 2.8 it let in all the light I needed.

 

[mom2rtk]

I used that lens last year on a 7D before I moved to the 5D Mk III, and that lens is AMAZING! Superb quality glass exactly like the L series. It was wide enough on a crop for me at Disney, and at 2.8 it let in all the light I needed.

Mine is like a member of the family. Once I put it on the camera 3 years ago, I really haven't second guessed the investment.

I am considering a 70D when they come out this fall. I will be buying the body only though. That lens will be making the jump with me if I upgrade.

 

[ronfin]

Mine is like a member of the family. Once I put it on the camera 3 years ago, I really haven't second guessed the investment.

I am considering a 70D when they come out this fall. I will be buying the body only though. That lens will be making the jump with me if I upgrade.

I wish I could've kept that lens when I made the jump from 7D to 5D, but it wouldn't work. Still very VERY happy with the 24-105mm in lieu of it, but yeah, that 17-55mm f2.8 stayed on my 7D pretty much for everything. Didn't even bother using my Primes when I had that on there.