One lens to bring on Europe trip - Which one?

I currently just have a T2i with a 18-55mm kit, 50 f/1.8, and a 55-250mm kit. That's it.

We are going on a 14 day trip to Europe and will be going through basically a step above backpacking. Carrying a bunch of gear is not in the cards. I have a budget of about $900 (willing to buy used) and am looking for some advice.

My last trip I found myself using each end of my kit lens. About 60% of my shots were at 18mm, the other 40% were at 55mm. So I tend to like a wide angle that has decent length to it. I will be taking landscape shots as well as inside building/museum shots.

I know it's quite a bit to ask out of what lens, but what do you guys recommend?

Thanks!

15-85mm although i'd still bring the 50mm...it's so small and would be good for low-light/subject isolation shots...

I think you answered it. take the 18-55. Most of my Europe shots were also on the wide end. If you want to spend the money and range and flexibility are important, you could try the Tamron 18-270. If you want the best quality, see if you can find a used Canon 17-55 IS 2.8.

Another vote here for the 15-85mm. I have one and it is an awesome lens on a crop body. You can pick one up for $734.99 (USA) or $699 (Grey Market) through Adorama. Awesome range and extremely sharp!

Thanks for the info, I think a 15mm-85mm IS USM would make a nice range for me, I would hope the USM would provide a little sharper image than my kit 17-55 as well.

For just general shooting, I've wanted a little more than 55mm on several occasions.

How would the Sigma 17-70 OS HSM stack up against the 15-85 IS USM? Price is nice, as well as it being a faster lens; f/2.8-4 vs f/3.5-5.6

depending on the exact type of photography you do, I think that your 2 zooms just about covers everything.

Alternatively, as I would recommend my friends = 15-85mm + 70-300mm. You will be really well covered here. I have the 18-270mm too but then I'd prefer the focusing IQ of the Canon USM.

OR keep the $$$ for another holiday. Have a good one too. ^-^

Looks like you're set. Perhaps you could sell your 18-55. Get a 10-22. But only if you're gonna stick with a crop for a while.

Goodysgotacuda wrote in post #14754064
I have a budget of about $900 (willing to buy used) and am looking for some advice.

I'll get probably flamed by suggesting this but seriously get a m43 camera such as an EPM1 kit + Panasonic 20 1.7 for traveling...

I've never used the Sigma but from what I've read it seems to be a decent lens for the money. Compared to the 15-85mm, the Canon is 12% wider and 18% longer (focal length) but the Sigma is a stop faster at each end. The only issues I've read about with the Sigma is that it hunts a lot in low light and some people have reported problems with front focusing. The IS on both are the equivalent of 4 stops. The Canon is going to be sharper, it has a better focal range, it will focus faster and I personally think the IS on the Canon is better than the OS on the Sigma (Used to have a 17-50mm OS until I returned it). The Sigma is a stop faster and $300 cheaper. If someone offered me the Sigma and $300 for my 15-85 I'd tell them no thanks, but that's just me.

Well on a crop frame I would go with the 15-85mm which has great focal range flexibility and take either your 50mm f/1.8 for at night and low light. Or try a 17-55mm f/2.8. Not as much range but fast enough to take only one lens maybe.

If you could switch out the 50mm f/1.8 for a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 that would be great to go with the 15-85mm

kin2son wrote in post #14754265
I'll get probably flamed by suggesting this but seriously get a m43 camera such as an EPM1 kit + Panasonic 20 1.7 for traveling...

because it's impossible to travel with a dslr? or because that kit will give him better shots?

I got the 17-70 OS instead of the 15-85 because I wanted the faster aperture, and more range than the 17-50's. IQ isn't as good as the 15-85, but its not shabby, and the price is right.

kin2son wrote in post #14754265
I'll get probably flamed by suggesting this but seriously get a m43 camera such as an EPM1 kit + Panasonic 20 1.7 for traveling...

I wouldn't get a single, 40mm equiv FOV prime for Europe. You'd miss tons of shots.

Sirrith wrote in post #14754327
I wouldn't get a single, 40mm equiv FOV prime for Europe. You'd miss tons of shots.

The kit comes with 14-42mm, which is equivalent to 18-55mm kit on aps-c..

DreDaze wrote in post #14754313
because it's impossible to travel with a dslr? or because that kit will give him better shots?

I love my ff setup and will never replace it with m43, but you'd be surprised to find any noticeable difference when comparing aps-c to m43. IQ is pretty much tie in a much smaller package which is perfect for travelling imo.

Unless you have specific needs such as birding or fast actions sports (which 7D is ideal), the lower tier of aps-c dslr can pretty much replaced by m43.