Recommendation for hiking/travel

[fhsu]

Hi Everyone, I'm looking to purchase my first dSLR which will primarily be used to take pictures while travelling and on hiking trips. So I guess it will mostly be landscape/environment type photos.

After some research what I'm thinking is a Rebel XT (lighter weight/smaller size, and price), and am trying to figure out which lens to get, either a EF 17-40mm f/4L or a EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 and maybe a fast 50mm prime. Any thought or recommendations on which to get?

[tim]

The prices, length, and weight are pretty similar so you can ignore those factors. Being an L lebs the 17-40 will do a better job at a given focal length, though how much better I can't say. The 17-85 obviouly has a much greater range and IS, which might come in handy if you don't want to carry a tripod.

You can look at lens review here (http://www.photographyreview.com/Lenses/PSC_3787crx.aspx), though the 17-85 might be a bit new for any or many reviews. There are review of it here (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=222&sort=7&cat=27&page=2) and here (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=3&sort=7&cat=27&page=1) though.

Hope that helps.

[lomond]

I think you've done your research well.

For travelling light and for landscape type photography the Rebel XT with 17-40L and perhaps the 50 1.8 will do nicely.
I would add a CPL filter.

[gcogger]

I would also suggest the Sigma 18-125 - it's what I use when hiking :) It's lighter than the 2 lenses you mentioned, and very good when stopped down to f/8 or so (which you would generally do for landscapes). It's also cheaper, but don't let that put you off...

I have some pictures with the 300D and this lens (look at the Snowdonia and Lake District links) - click on Graeme's pics (http://www.gcogger.dsl.pipex.com)

The images are rather small, but it might give you some idea.

[MrChad]

I would also suggest the Sigma 18-125 - it's what I use when hiking :) It's lighter than the 2 lenses you mentioned, and very good when stopped down to f/8 or so (which you would generally do for landscapes). It's also cheaper, but don't let that put you off...

I have some pictures with the 300D and this lens (look at the Snowdonia and Lake District links) - click on Graeme's pics (http://www.gcogger.dsl.pipex.com)

The images are rather small, but it might give you some idea.

Dito---I love to travel with my 18-125mm Sigma, I also shoot mine with a Circular polarizer outdoors 99% of the time. This would make an excellent light combo on a rebel XT. I would then use the saved cash over the L to get a second battery (for travel)and as much CF memory as you think you'll need. If you shoot in JPEG 2x 1G CF would be a good bet, if space is a huge issue 1x 2G in the rebel should be fine too. And the Sigma is a small enough lens that the pop-up flash will work with the lens hood removed.

Then down the road upgrade to some other glass.

[tim]

Good 1800mah batteries cost $12 at sterlingtek.com, I rekon you only need two batteries unless you're shooting constantly or away from mains power for a long time.

[cactusclay]

I'd have to go along with the 17-40 and a 50. I think I read somewhere that Galen Rowell carried a 24 and a 85 for most of his landscapes and that would just about be what you would have. Have fun.

[robertwgross]

I would say that the camera is a good choice. The lenses are fine, but you'll never find the perfect single lens, and you'll hardly ever find the perfect combination of lenses. Everything is a trade off and it depends on what you shoot.

Before I took a Canon film camera to East Africa, I had what I would call one short zoom, and one longer zoom, plus a 1.4 teleconverter. This was not a perfect combination, but it worked for wildlife and so forth. If you were more of a landscape shooter, you might be able to get by with a single medium zoom if it has a broad range.

I probably carry my (new 20D) camera 25 miles per week, walking, with a tripod and a heavy wildlife lens.

---Bob Gross---

[fhsu]

Thanks for all the great replies and info everyone!