Need Suggestions On Lens for Vacation

If you guys say 15-85 then i'll look into that. Even used though the lens is around 600. I do have the 18-55 kit lens though that is why I was looking into the 24-105, plus I found the 24-105 for around $700. Now obviously I know that the quality of the 15-85 is better than the kit lens.

You might take a look at renting for your vacation. You can get a hell of a lot of lens for a very reasonable price for a week. I've always found the lens I use on vacation are not the lens I'll want the other 51 weeks a year.

the refurbished 15-85 (still 1 year Canon warranty) goes on sale often for around $515.00, U will be really happy with how much you have to change lenses in Europe with the 15-85 and 10-20 vs the 24-105 and 10-22. Also the IS is better on the 15-85 than it is on the 24-105.

here is a used one from adorama fr 550 with a 3 month warranty (It says 6 month warranty on amazon's link so i would ask when ordering if you do)

I would agree that the 24mm would not be wide enough for me as a travel lens on a 1.6x camera. But, along the same line, the slower aperture of the 15-85mm would not be fast enough for many of my travel needs when using a 7D camera. OTOH, with the superior ISO capability of full-frame cameras, the 24-105mm f4L IS might be fast enough.

The 24mm would be plenty wide enough for my shooting on a full frame camera. I use a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens with a 27.2mm equivalent and this is wide enough for my needs so the 24mm on a full frame camera would be O.K.. However, the 105mm focal length would no be quite long enough for my style of shooting.

So when push comes to shove, there is no one lens that I could shoot with which would fill all of my needs for a travel lens on 1.6x and full-frame cameras. But the 24-105 on a full-frame camera might come pretty close.

RPCrowe wrote in post #16181676
I would agree that the 24mm would not be wide enough for me as a travel lens on a 1.6x camera. But, along the same line, the slower aperture of the 15-85mm would not be fast enough for many of my travel needs when using a 7D camera. OTOH, with the superior ISO capability of full-frame cameras, the 24-105mm f4L IS might be fast enough.

The 24mm would be plenty wide enough for my shooting on a full frame camera. I use a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens with a 27.2mm equivalent and this is wide enough for my needs so the 24mm on a full frame camera would be O.K.. However, the 105mm focal length would no be quite long enough for my style of shooting.

So when push comes to shove, there is no one lens that I could shoot with which would fill all of my needs for a travel lens on 1.6x and full-frame cameras. But the 24-105 on a full-frame camera might come pretty close.

Just for clarity, the OP did say most of his shots would be outdoors. His needs may differ from those who need a fixed f/2.8...

(And, I would completely agree with you if he hadn't said that. I love my 15-85, but pull out my Sigma 17-50 with some regularity...)

Alright guys, I'll try out the 15-85 out. I'll either get it used or refurbished, I seen some in the low 600's upper 5's. I'll pick that up and a hood, probably sell it down the road when I move up to a FF camera. I was also looking into picking up a nifty fifty as well, think I'll get some use out of it? I figure for it's price why not? I'll post up some shots after I get back from the vacation.

here is one on fred meranda (I know nothing about the seller so make sure you check first).
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/12308​22
and another with a cpl thrown in as well as a couple of other filters.
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/12294​77

I got my 15-85 to use on vacations and it's been great. I don't have a prime yet, but if you can get your hands on a nifty fifty cheap enough, why not? You'll probably be able to get some good shots that you wouldn't be able to get quite as good, otherwise.

I ask the OP: How many one-month trips to Europe are you planning on making? And I don't believe you will be shooting mostly outdoors. The interiors of European churches are quite spectacular.

My suggestion - buy the best equipment you can for the upcoming trip and worry about full-frame later. Get either the 15-85 or similar for your T3i or find some way to go full-frame with the 24-105L. But if you decide to stick with your T3I and get the 24-105 anyway, take your kit lens (18-55 I presume.) 18mm isn't nearly wide enough but it will have to do.

RodneyCyr wrote in post #16182757
I ask the OP: How many one-month trips to Europe are you planning on making? And I don't believe you will be shooting mostly outdoors. The interiors of European churches are quite spectacular.

My suggestion - buy the best equipment you can for the upcoming trip and worry about full-frame later. Get either the 15-85 or similar for your T3i or find some way to go full-frame with the 24-105L. But if you decide to stick with your T3I and get the 24-105 anyway, take your kit lens (18-55 I presume.) 18mm isn't nearly wide enough but it will have to do.

You make a point...unless you are taking trips there all of the time, don't short yourself thinking "I'm going FF and will sell the lens later". 15mm is no where near as wide as 10mm (like a 10-22) but it is a one lens solution, with IS that will allow you to spend more time enjoying and shooting than swapping lenses and carrying extra stuffs

Thanks again everyone for helping me out, ordered a used 15-85 and also picked up one of the nifty fifty 1.8. Figured i'd get the 50 since I hear for the price the lens is a must have. So I'll be taking the T3i, the 15-85, the 50, and will also bring my gopro for some videos and take some shots from that as well.

you won't be disappointed, enjoy your trip

mine1 wrote in post #16184682
you won't be disappointed, enjoy your trip

Thanks man, I appreciate the help. I ended up ordering it off adorama.