Canon Lens Question for WDW

[Jalva22]

Okay, I have a trip coming up this summer to WDW and am trying to decide on a lens for my all-day walk-around while there. I do not intend to carry a lot of gear and would prefer to limit myself to carrying my 40D and the lens attached to it (no extra lenses in a bag, in other words).

What I would like to shoot are landscapes of the buildings and general family shots. What I am not interested in shooting are animals on the Safari or dark rides (I just want to sit and enjoy the rides).

What I have is: 40D, Canon 50 1.4, Canon 100 2.0, Canon 28-135.

What I'm trying to decide: Just use the 28-135 that I already have; or get one of the following: Sigma 30, Canon 24-105L, or Canon 17-55.

Trying to find a balance between wide end for buildings/scenery and a little more reach for family photos. I guess the kicker is, do you all find 24 or 30 to be wide enough for landscape photography at WDW, or would it be frustrating? My feeling is that I could foot-zoom the difference between 17 and 24 in most cases (not sure about 30 or the 28 I already have). However, on the log end, I can always crop in to a certain degree to make up for the 17-55's less reach.

Also, does Canon normally offer any coupon deals between February and June?

I appreciate your opinions!
Jim

 

[C&B Young]

Trying to find a balance between wide end for buildings/scenery and a little more reach for family photos. I guess the kicker is, do you all find 24 or 30 to be wide enough for landscape photography at WDW, or would it be frustrating? My feeling is that I could foot-zoom the difference between 17 and 24 in most cases (not sure about 30 or the 28 I already have). However, on the log end, I can always crop in to a certain degree to make up for the 17-55's less reach.

I appreciate your opinions!
Jim

2 years ago I took a 28-135 lens to WDW, hoping to use it as a walkaround lens. After 2 days I found myself missing the wide end too much, and switched back to the 18-55 kit lens. This past trip I had a Tamron 17-50 on for the majority of the time (and our backup body had a Tokina 11-16 on it). I definitely lean towards shooting wider at WDW.

 

[photo_chick]

I used my 28-105 on my 50D last August when I was there. It stayed on my camera most of the time. I never used the longer zoom I carried, and only rarely put on the 50mm. I didn't miss the wider angle at the time. Though now that I have the 8mm fisheye I suspect I'll be shooting much differently there this July.

It really depends on how you like to shoot.

 

[LordAthens]

I don't shoot Canon so I'm not super familiar with their entire lineup, but, take a look at the Tamron 18-270. It's been getting great reviews on both the Canon and Nikon side(for what it is, NOT a pro piece of glass). It's considerably wider than anything you have now and considerably longer. It has VC/VR/IS too. Since your 28-135 is a pretty basic variable aperture piece, you could actually sell it off to help cover the 18-270.

I've been researching the 18-270 for a while now. Again, it's not a pro lens, but it's super sharp (sharper even than Nikon's own 18-200), has a good build, relatively inexpensive and is overall a fantastic walk around lens. My copy should be showing up next week

 

[Shutterbug]

I would go for the 17-55. I had the 28-135 that came with my 40D and it was never ever wide enough(nor really all that sharp) for what I wanted to take photos of. I got tired of backing up and backing up. Thats why I ended up getting the Tamorn 17-50 but even now I am still wanting something even wider like 11-16.

In any case I dont think I could ever go to Disney with just one lens. I usually always have the 17-50 on the camera and the 70-200 in the bag. There would be too many instances where I would want a zoom.

 

[mom2rtk]

I immediately noticed in your list of what you have that you don't have anything wide. Disney just cries out for wide angle. Not only is it great to have creatively, but it allows you to shoot from closer to your subject, decreasing your odds of someone stepping between you and your subject.

The Canon 17-55 does indeed live up to its reputation as a stunning lens. I'd go that route in a heartbeat. It hardly ever came off my camera on our last trip. It's as sharp as a tack.

 

[LordAthens]

That's a great shot! You look like you might have quite a bit on your hands when she gets older... Looks like she can have quite the attitude! lol

 

[mom2rtk]

That's a great shot! You look like you might have quite a bit on your hands when she gets older... Looks like she can have quite the attitude! lol

Thanks! Thankfully she doesn't take herself too seriously. But no one here does! We're in the throes of teenagerdom (that's a word, right?) with her 2 older brothers. I can't even imagine what that will be like with a girl when she hits it in a few years......

Seriously OP........... it's an amazing lens. I have the Tamron 18-270 as well. This one is about the same size, so I could have all that extra reach at my fingertips, yet I never put it on the camera. The Canon 17-55 is my go-to lens.

 

[bob100]

What I have is: 40D, Canon 50 1.4, Canon 100 2.0, Canon 28-135.

What I'm trying to decide: Just use the 28-135 that I already have; or get one of the following: Sigma 30, Canon 24-105L, or Canon 17-55.

I'd also take a look at the latest Sigma 17-50 2.8
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10022014sigma17mm50mm.asp

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We have the T1i and tend to take all our lenses with us on our trips to the World:
~ kit lens
~ Canon 28-135
~ Canon 55-200
~ Sigma 50 f/1.4
~ Tokina 11-16 f/2.8

Usually we take two lenses with us to the parks. Which lens we use on the camera all depends on which park we are going to that day, then we'll take along one other depending on what pictures we're looking at taking that day. As an example, if we are heading out to Animal Kingdom we'll probably put the 55-200 on the camera and take along the Tokina. If we're trying to get dark ride shots at say the Magic Kingdom, we'll put the 50 f/1.4 on the camera but take along the 28-135 or kit lens. I don't think we've ever gone to WDW with just one lens.

Just our 2 cents!

 

[SrisonS]

The Canon 18-135mm is a great little walk-around lens (it basically LIVES on my T1i). It has a great zoom range, and produces nice quality pictures. But whatever you choose, I'd also suggest a lens that has a great wide-end.

 

[Jalva22]

Thank you for all the suggestions. It's been frustrating trying to make up my mind. After spending hours (and hours and hours LOL!) looking at pictures from trip reports on various forums, the shots that interest me the most do tend to be those on the wide end.

I've looked very hard at the Canon 17-55, but just don't know if I can wrap my mind around that $1,100 price tag. I'm thinking I will most likely go with the Sigma 17-50 that bob100 mentioned. The reviews I have seen place it extremely close to the Canon and I like the $450 price savings. The Canon 15-85 was tempting as well, but I think I'd prefer sacrificing the extra telephoto range for the 2.8 throughout. I may end up packing along the 100 2.0 anyway.

I would appreciate anyone who would like to talk me out of/reassure me on this line of action before I take the plunge!

 

[rdunative]

I immediately noticed in your list of what you have that you don't have anything wide. Disney just cries out for wide angle. Not only is it great to have creatively, but it allows you to shoot from closer to your subject, decreasing your odds of someone stepping between you and your subject.

The Canon 17-55 does indeed live up to its reputation as a stunning lens. I'd go that route in a heartbeat. It hardly ever came off my camera on our last trip. It's as sharp as a tack.

Lots of good info here. Thanks guys and gals!

I think I just found my favorite disboard pic!

 

[mom2rtk]

Lots of good info here. Thanks guys and gals!

I think I just found my favorite disboard pic!

Well, wasn't that nice!

It's the lens I tell you!