One Lens For All of European Trip?

[mcaldwell]

20D is new. I inherited a Sigma 28/200 lens from my wife's film EOS camera, but get Err_99 half the time. Called Sigma, and they say the chip cannot be swapped, but offered a trade in for $160 net for the same lense. Well, I can buy it anywhere for $180, so basically I'm back shopping. I have a Canon 17-80 and a Canon 80-200, but hate to carry a bunch of lenses around, which is why the Sigma was attractive. Looked at the lens threads here, and find few recommended with such a wide range, but many approaching $1000. I'm really a rookie with this. So my question is, should I go buy the 28-200 (the 28-300 is only $225, so would go for that) or is there a better recommendation for under $400? Subject will be the basic "wife in front of the Eiffel Tower", locals, buildings, shots with friends; the usual trip trash!

Thanks for the help.

Mike

[KevC]

Do you need wide or long? Hyperzooms degrade image quality so I'd stay away from them. I'd imagine wide is more useful than long, considering your subjects shall be up close (your wife, not some stranger 300ft away).

Possibly a 28-135/3.5-4.5? I highly doubt you need a 200mm, my longest lens is a 135mm.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=149629&is=USA

It's pricey.

Another thing you can just get a normal zoom. Canon's 24-70L is extremely expensive, so you can check out the third party f/2.8 zooms. These are fast and have awesome image quality. There's a reason that people pay for this :)

The Tamron 28-75/2.8 and the Sigma 24-70/24-60/2.8 are awesome lenses. If you're serious about photography, and want pro-level image quality and speed (constant f/2.8 man!) you should start investing in these.

Also, don't be afraid to take your kit lens with you. The 17mm end will be useful for landscape/cityscape shots.

Your 17-85/80-200 is a good combo, how come you don't bring that? I image the 80-200 is too heavy.. hm. Oh well, good luck!

[AjP]

I do too have 28-135 IS USM, great walk around lense!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cfcRebel]

I heard good things about Sigma 18-125 f3.5-5.6 DC. There are quite a few members had showed some awesome pictures taken with the lens.

[Wildewinds]

Maybe the Tamron 24-135MM F3.5-5.6. Got good reviews here:http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=241&sort=7&cat=43&page=1

[Andy_T]

My recommendation would be to get a good photography bag and carry the 2 lenses you already have. The 17-85 is supposed to be a great walk-around lens.

Out of the hyperzoom lenses, the Tokina 24-200 is one of the few that gets consistent good critiques here on the forum (like here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48097))

I normally have the Tamron 28-75/2.8 on my 20D, and it's really all I ever need. OK, I have the 18-55 with me for the occasional wide angle shot, but it stays in the bag 99% of the time. I also now and then use a 50/1.8 II for low light shots and a manual focus CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 ... but if I only wanted to take one lens, these would also stay at home.

Best regards,
Andy

[MrChad]

I heard good things about Sigma 18-125 f3.5-5.6 DC. There are quite a few members had showed some awesome pictures taken with the lens.

I have the 18-125mm DC on my Drebel, a great lens for the price, if you could trade the 28-200mm in for a $160 credit toward this lens it may be worth it, but I'm not sure.
An 18-200mm DC is now available as well.

I got my copy from BHphoto, but I think Sigma4less.com may be worth a try to save a few bucks more. It's not an L-glass priced lens, so if you use a credit card to purchase you should be fairly well covered.

[LightRules]

Subject will be the basic "wife in front of the Eiffel Tower", locals, buildings, shots with friends; the usual trip trash!

Sigma 18-125 or 18-200, hands down. If your parameters are 1 lens and the usual trip trash, this is not too difficult a decision. Enjoy the light.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have the 18-125mm DC on my Drebel, a great lens for the price, if you could trade the 28-200mm in for a $160 credit toward this lens it may be worth it, but I'm not sure.

essentially he was offered $20.00 for the old lens.. :(

[Dante King]

i to vote for the 28-135 IS USM!

[UK_Terry]

i to vote for the 28-135 IS USM!

i 2nd that...it is always the one if i am only taking "1 "

[LightRules]

I like the 28-135IS, but if he is stuck with only 1 lens, that extra 10mm (16mm effective) on the wide end is VERY significant when traveling.

[Paul Carpentier]

I have both the 28-135 IS and the Sigma 18-200, and even though I love the IS and I've shot most of my pictures with it so far, I'd say the Sigma is **definitely** a shoe-in for this mission. Lighter, more compact, decent wide angle (how else will you catch those high cathedrals from those narrow streets around), comparable quality (see samples below), incomparable value for money!

Samples + comparisons to a couple others (28-135 IS, 70-300 DO IS, 18-55 kit lens): http://www.pixagogo.com/0280105208

More samples: http://www.pixagogo.com/6255155219 (nicer weather)

Have a lovely trip!

Paul

[condyk]

Wider is usually better in tight city/street type shots unless you're taking candid style people shots and need some reach. The Sigma seems a decent choice from both POV, but the 28-135 IS, not my favourite lens I have to say, is also useful as you may get a few more keepers due to reduction in hand shake problems and it may just give a better performance when lighting is not so good. I would go the Sigma route in your shoes as you will get the wife/Tower shot for sure. In mine I'd just pack my Tokina and Tamron as I know reach would be less of a pressing issue.