Travel photography lens for 5D mark II

Planning to get a lens for travel photography. Some of the think I will be shooting includes:-
i) Scenery i.e valley, gorge, mountains.
ii) Landscape i.e building like forbidden city.

Initially I thought 50mm would be sufficient for the above if I could move backward but I was wrong.

I'm thinking of 35L since it could be use for street photography and potraits as well. But from the lens archieve sample shoot I never see a single scenery shoot with 35L.

Thus is 35L would have the same problem as 50L should I decided to get it?

Thus may I know what's the best lens I could bring for travel photography if I intend to bring just one lens?

Are you limiting yourself to primes? Zooms are so much more versatile for travel photography? Since travel photos are usually not the sort of thing where supershallow DOF is a primary requirement a sharp zoom like the 24-105L is ideal on a full frame camera.

I'd take the Canon 24-105 f/4L. Great all-around lens, particularly on the 5D.

24-105 or 24-70 would get my vote for versatility alone. As far as the comment about not finding examples of scenery or landscape shots with the 35L check my shots below..It's more than capable for landscape shots..

http://www.flickr.com …y/sets/72157626​129662024/

If you're looking for a single lens for travel I would think something like the 24-105 is your best bet on full frame.

I have a bunch of lens to choose from since I have many primes and zooms. But when I travel, I usually travel with a 50mm 1.2L and a 24-105mm 4L IS with my 5DII. 24-105mm give me the range and the 50mm 1.2L gives me the ability to shoot in low light. I also carry a 580ex II in my bag as well just in case I really need extra light. If you are planning to shoot landscapes, make sure to get yourself a travel tripod. If you want extra reach and could afford to carry another lens in your bag, consider a 135mm 2L and a 1.4x extender. This combo will give you two more focal length with minimal increase in weight. And lastly, I carry my point and shoot (S95) in my bag for those moments when I'm tired of carrying my gear.

35mm probably won't be wide enough for landscapes. 24-105mm is wide enough for most landscapes and will give you the flexibility for street photography as well. I leave my 24-70mm 2.8L at home since it is a bit heavy, is only one stop faster than the f/4 (but the 24-105 has IS), and has less range than the 24-105mm. If I want really shallow DOF, I put my 50mm 1.2L on the body.

travel? it'd have to be a 24L and a 50L for me. Either that or it's the 24L and the 35L.

Yeah, travel = zooms.

It just depends upon how much you want to spend. 24-105L and 28-135 are a couple good options for standard zooms, at quite different price points.

24-70/2.8L would be nice for it's speed, but the focal length range is narrower and it's pretty large and heavy. It might be my choice though, because personally I'd never take just one lens on a trip. I know I'd regret it.

For scenery I'd really want something wider... I often use a 20/2.8 prime and find that wide enough for my 5DII. A 16-35 or 17-40 would be both wider and more flexible.

It doesn't sound like subjects that interest you, but when travelling I like to shoot candids of people and details/macro, so would want a longer lens, too... Which one depends upon what standard zoom I choose: probably either a 135/2 (with 24-70) or 200/2.8 (with 24-105 or 24-135).... perhaps with a 1.4X teleconverter. I'd tuck a set of macro extension tubes and a flash into my bag, too.

I'm leaving on holiday and take my 35L + 28-70 2.8L with me.
The first one gives awesome pics (especially portrait with super bokeh, sharpness & contrast but also lowlight pics in the evening), the 28-70 2.8 is for the ease of zoom to portrait my daughter in the swimmingpool,... cause it's the best standardzoom, i like the fastest f2.8 for zooms cause I mostly take portraits and appreciate fast lenses, that's why I sold my 24-105L in past.

24-105

windpig wrote in post #12522845
24-105

^^ What he said.

tgara wrote in post #12522651
I'd take the Canon 24-105 f/4L. Great all-around lens, particularly on the 5D.

+1 based on versatility

Definitely 24-105

danielyamseng wrote in post #12522590
Planning to get a lens for travel photography. Some of the think I will be shooting includes:-
i) Scenery i.e valley, gorge, mountains.
ii) Landscape i.e building like forbidden city.

for the above:

16-35Lii would be my choice and you can also use it to walk around the city to shoot people as well.

for me 24L or 35L are not wide enough for landscape.

danielyamseng wrote in post #12522590
Planning to get a lens for travel photography. Some of the think I will be shooting includes:-
i) Scenery i.e valley, gorge, mountains.
ii) Landscape i.e building like forbidden city.

Initially I thought 50mm would be sufficient for the above if I could move backward but I was wrong.

I'm thinking of 35L since it could be use for street photography and potraits as well. But from the lens archieve sample shoot I never see a single scenery shoot with 35L.

Thus is 35L would have the same problem as 50L should I decided to get it?

Thus may I know what's the best lens I could bring for travel photography if I intend to bring just one lens?

Forgive me I don't have MKII, just 5Dc, which I have most of the times with me for travel.
90% I use 19-35 lens, and 80% it will be on 19mm. I use 35mm end very seldom.
I'm saving money for 17-40 F4 L to use it as main travel lens.
10% of my travel photography is with 50 1.8, but only if it is getting too dark.