Travel lens.... please help...READ

Hi All,

I know this subject has been beat to death...but here it goes....I am looking for a travel set-up for family trips,site seeing trips, etc

I currently have the Tamron 28-75 2.8 XR Di it is razor sharp at all lengths and F stops with out having to stop down....I also have a 17-40 F4 L and a 70-200 2.8 (which there is no way I would even consider using for travel)

I also have access to a Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC which is only really good in bright sun light stopped down (could possibly be used as a fill in lens due to it's small size)

Option 1..... Am I better off buying the 28-135 IS (giving me reach on the long end) and possibly using the Sigma to fill in the gaps on the wide and telephoto end between (18-28 & 135-200)

Option 2....buy a 17-85 IS and the new 75-300 IS (kinda expensive for a travel set up) or just use the sigma to fill in the gap from 85-200MM

Option 3......Just buy the NEW 24-105 F4 IS and also use the Sigma if needed for fill in's

Which is sharper and better in low light the 28-135 IS or the 17-85 IS ??

I really only want to use a (2) lens set-up to avoid having to spend most of the time changing lens and carrying alot of stuff along with my kid !!!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...this thing is driving me CRAZZZZY !!!!!!!!!!

Thanks...shkj

Since "travel lens" is going to mean different things to different people, you might clarify what type of shots your current set up isn't permitting. Looking at what you have, it is hard for me to imagine that you need anything other than your 17-40 and 28-75 to cover the ranges I would expect to need for family travel, etc. It sounds like the question you are asking is going to depend on how much telephoto you think you'll need.

I have the 17-85 IS EF-S if that's the lens you mean? I'd highly recommend it as a convenient walkaround lens and the IS is a big advantage. The only thing you have to watch with EF-S lenses is if you intend to upgrade to a Series 1 body - when it wont fit. I had to buy a 17-40L for that very reason.

Comparing the two lenses the 17-40L has the edge for sharpness as you'd expect but not by much, while the colour rendition of the 17-40L is noticeably better, it just misses out on the long end of the zoom and the IS compared to the 17-85.

Hope that helps, I'm not familiar with your other choices, but good luck.

SHKJ wrote:
I currently have the Tamron 28-75 2.8 XR Di....I also have a 17-40 F4 L and a 70-200 2.8 (which there is no way I would even consider using for travel)

Option 1..... buying the 28-135 IS and using the Sigma to fill in the gaps on the wide and telephoto end between (18-28 & 135-200)

Option 2....buy a 17-85 IS and the new 75-300 IS (kinda expensive for a travel set up) or just use the sigma to fill in the gap from 85-200MM

Option 3......Just buy the NEW 24-105 F4 IS and also use the Sigma if needed for fill in's

I really only want to use a (2) lens set-up to avoid having to spend most of the time changing lens and carrying alot of stuff along with my kid !!!

If you're intent on only 2 lenses, then I would suggest you take your 17-40 and buy either the 70-200 F4 or the newest 70-300 USM IS. The gap inbetween you should be able to cover by moving about...but that is the trade-off for only taking 2 lenses!

Why bother duplicating the range covered by the 28-75 tamron with the 28-135/24-105? Seems like a waste of time and money if you're happy with the tamron's results.

the 17-85 is an excellent choice. been using one for outings of all sorts and have never been let down by this lens.
call me crazy, but our Disneyland trip this weekend will be accomodated by the 17-85 and the 70-200f/2.8L IS...............will be carrying a backpack.