If you could take ONE lens on vacation...

[GrillMouster]

As much as I love the results I get from my 70-200 f/2.8, on a crop-body I can accomplish 80% of what I need with my 17-55 f/2.8, so that would be my choice.

On a Nikon full-frame body I'd go with the 24-70 f/2.8, which has great IQ and nearly the same range that the 17-55 has on a crop-body.

 

[RCDisneyFan]

not sure if you mean one we actually own or not. if so I'd take my 28-135 is f3.5-5.6, the aperture isn't great but the range is good, it's fairly sharp unless it's cropped much, the is helps a little to overcome some of the low light issues and the chromation isn't great but i can fix that... if not i'll take either bobq's 24-105 or a 24-70 that i don't own but while either may be a little short for me I'd like the aperture better. either way I'd be moaning cause I'd decide I wanted to use something else anyway

LOL - I'm fine with people specifying the lens they don't have or can't afford at yet.

I'm glad so many people have given answers - I'm really enjoying reading them. I have the 18-200vr that I take with me, but I know I wish (relatively often) that I had something faster. I have a 50 1.4, but I'd never take just that because I KNOW it's not wide enough for my taste..

 

[WVDisGeek]

If we are talking lenses we could theoretically "obtain" by our next trip, I would agree with Groucho and go with the 31mm f/1.8. However, if you are saying lenses we currently own, I would go with my 28mm f/2.8.

It doesn't have much range, but I could always get those shots next time. What is does have is a good compromise on width, speed and a bonus of being very compact and light. If it has to be one lens, the name of the game is compromise. Or I guess I could think about my 18-250.....

 

[DVC Jen]

What would it be? And Why?

Here are the restrictions:

* ONE lens ONLY
* Subjects are a mix of people, architecture, artwork / sculptures
* The only flash you get is the one built into your camera
* You may be in situations where you can't use the flash at all
* The camera and ensuing bag of tricks-n-stuff have to fit with you on every Disney ride, as you have no chickens to hold it for you

I'm not limiting this to brands like Nikon, Canon, Tokina, or votes for particular lenses, etc - because I'm just curious to see what people's answers are.

The Canon 24-105 IS L lens. Great all around lens - super sharp. My camera does not have a built in flash - but amazing photos at high ISO - so that is OK. I rarely need a flash anyway. The past two years I have gotten 2 cameras, 3 lenses, a few filters, a memory card wallet, 4 ponchos, saline, tide to go, medication, cell phones, tissues, cash and room keys all in my lowepro slingshot 200 and never had an issue with fitting it on any ride with us.

 

[zackiedawg]

Actually, I've done it, for all intents and purposes. My 18-250mm lens has taken 95% of all photos I've taken at Disney World for my trips in July, September, December, and January.

I did also bring my 50mm F1.7 along, and used it a few times...but if I were pressed, I could live without it. Not the 18-250. It's the only possible lens I could feel like I'm barely missing anything with. It can do wide shots, architecture shots, portraits, landscapes, it's usable in low light, takes great slow-shutter shots, can tolerate action shots, and has a big enough zoom to work for wildlife shots at AK. The only thing I'd really be missing in my normal photographic repetoire would be serious low light handheld shots like dark rides. In fact, in January I brought the 50mm F1.7 with me to Disney, but ended up not using it on 4 of the 5 days in any of the parks - only bringing it with me one night to a resort hotel.

 

[webshark3]

Easy one. 28mm (equal) prime. Because it's the only lens attached to my fixed lens Sigma DP1.

But for Disney, I live with a 24mm prime f2.8 (38mm equal) for these reason:
1) Small, fast, light
2) Usually can't zoom anyways, holding a kid

Otherwise, I'd use my Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. I did use it for one year at Disney, but just felt it weigh me down more at the end of the day than I really wanted.

 

[My2Girls66]

I don't have many lenses but the 18-135 is very handy. I'd take it.

 

[kaffinito]

For existing lenses I would have to say my 50mm f/1.8. That's the lens I had on most of the time this trip anyway. My zoom (55-200) bites and I need a new one, a different type though, so if I had that new lens before next trip then I would have to say the new zoom. Good question!