Trying to put together a travel kit for my SL1 /100D

After some thinking, I've decided to stick with my SL1 instead of switching to mirrorless for a travel kit. I felt like the size savings would be minimal and not worth the cost savings. I have a couple of lens "upgrades" I'm considering, and have some questions.

(1) Zoom lens - reach vs speed: Generally for a travel zoom type lens, do folks here like to go for reach (something like an 18-200) or speed (17-50 2.8)? What do you find more useful and also compact/light enough for travel? A Sigma 17-70 f/2.8 -4 also seems like a decent midway solution.

(2) Fast prime - Something in the 30-50mm (35mm equiv) range. I picked up an EF-S 24mm pancake and it's really good for the price, but I'm thinking I might want something a bit faster that also remains fairly compact on the SL1. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

You won't find many practical options for a 35mm equivalent prime faster than 2.8 on APS bodies. This is why I stuck with full frame. There's the Sigma 18-35 1.8. But that thing is not compact or light, and could be awkward on the SL1. Sigma also has a 20 1.8 but I think it's awful. Heavy, big, noisy. Then there's the 24 1.4L. But again, it's big.

However, I do HIGHLY recommend the Sigma 30 1.4 Art. It's amazing. Sharp, excellent build quality, light, compact. I used it on a 70D.

jmai86 wrote in post #17331956
You won't find many practical options for a 35mm equivalent prime faster than 2.8 on APS bodies. This is why I stuck with full frame. There's the Sigma 18-35 1.8. But that thing is not compact or light, and could be awkward on the SL1. Sigma also has a 20 1.8 but I think it's awful. Heavy, big, noisy. Then there's the 24 1.4L. But again, it's big.

However, I do HIGHLY recommend the Sigma 30 1.4 Art. It's amazing. Sharp, excellent build quality, light, compact. I used it on a 70D.

Thanks, just to be clear, you are talking about the APS-C only 30mm Art, and not the 35mm Art, correct?

You mention it's compact, is it noticeably smaller/lighter than the 35mm Art?

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17331970
Thanks, just to be clear, you are talking about the APS-C only 30mm Art, and not the 35mm Art, correct?

You mention it's compact, is it noticeably smaller/lighter than the 35mm Art?

Weight is 435g versus 665g, and it's approximately an inch (30cm) shorter in diameter.

Yes, the 30mm APS-C only Art version. It's considerably smaller and noticeably lighter than the 35 Art. The 30 weighs 15oz while the 35 weighs 24oz. However I think that only tells half the story, on an SL1, I'd imagine the 30 to balance better than the 35, making it feel more comfortable. This is only conjecture though.

Here's a link to a size comparison:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …&LensComp2=0&Le​nsComp=829

Another factor to consider is, using full frame lenses on a crop body is sort of a waste of the full frame lens' potential and may actually result in net loss of detail in some cases. It's not quite as simple as comparing apertures and focal lengths. Tony Northrup made a great video recently about why this is:
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=YDbUIfB5YUc

If you want us to help you, we need more info: what is your travel? Wildlife in Yellowstone? Both wide angle and telephoto zooms or primes will work. Birds in Costa Rica? Telephoto zooms. Old European towns? Wide angle zooms (primes will be limiting there). Landscapes in White Mountains in New Hampshire? New York City? Etc. Each of these travel requires different set of lenses. Tell me what you want and I will be happy to share my experience.

Lbsimon wrote in post #17332045
If you want us to help you, we need more info: what is your travel? Wildlife in Yellowstone? Both wide angle and telephoto zooms or primes will work. Birds in Costa Rica? Telephoto zooms. Old European towns? Wide angle zooms (primes will be limiting there). Landscapes in White Mountains in New Hampshire? New York City? Etc. Each of these travel requires different set of lenses. Tell me what you want and I will be happy to share my experience.

Actually, I provided 2 very specific questions in my OP regarding lens choices.

1. I used a 17-55mm F2.8 for many years...it served me well on travel but I did wish it was a bit smaller sometimes. Something like the Canon 15-85mm might be ideal for this purpose if you don't mind the variable aperture:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …ensComp=398&Len​sComp2=713

2. Like others said, 35mm is tough on crop. I tried the 24L II on my 7D for a while and found its AF to be questionable. Others had no issue, but they were primarily using it on FF. I would take a look at the 35 F2 IS. It's not the 35mm focal length you were looking for but its small, light, fairly cheap and has great optics.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #17332066
1. I used a 17-55mm F2.8 for many years...it served me well on travel but I did wish it was a bit smaller sometimes. Something like the Canon 15-85mm might be ideal for this purpose if you don't mind the variable aperture:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …ensComp=398&Len​sComp2=713

2. Like others said, 35mm is tough on crop. I tried the 24L II on my 7D for a while and found its AF to be questionable. Others had no issue, but they were primarily using it on FF. I would take a look at the 35 F2 IS. It's not the 35mm focal length you were looking for but its small, light, fairly cheap and has great optics.

Thanks, I actually own the 35mm F2 IS. Haven't used it much since getting the 24-70 for my 6D. I was thinking of selling it but I guess I can consider using it on my SL1. Seems about the same size as the 30mm 1.4 (thanks for that tool btw, very useful). I could sell it and buy the 30mm 1.4 and gain that stop of light, but I'd lose the ability to use it on full frame if I want to. So kinda tough.

You also lose IS...so are you stopping things in motion or are you handholding long exposures. The 35 F2 IS is technically the better low light lens for still subjects.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17332054
Actually, I provided 2 very specific questions in my OP regarding lens choices.

You asked 2 questions but provided no context.

Everyone will come up with different solutions for a travel kit depending on their own needs. Therefore you will get many different responses.

On business trips I take a light DSLR with a light zoom - for instance the SL1 + 18-55 STM. I will usually also take a tele zoom, like the 55-250 STM. Takes little space, weighs little, IQ is great.

For family trips I take the same + the 50mm 1.8 for people shots.

For some quick trips I take the Sony compact, and that's it.

For personal travel by air, I take the 7D + a bunch of lenses incl the 100-400. I'll include a monopod but not a tripod. I'll also include limited macro gear. I rarely check any luggage, so it all goes into my carry-on, incl the laptop.

When travelling by car, I include a spare body and lenses and a tripod, plus more macro gear.

Except for people pics, I don't have much use for fast lenses. I rarely need shallow DOF (except for people). And with today's sensors, we don't need to rely on a lens's speed to get good exposure. In poor light, I use ISO. That's what it's there for.

My solutions. YMMV.

I know you mentioned wanting faster, but I really love the 40mm pancake.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17332054
Actually, I provided 2 very specific questions in my OP regarding lens choices.

You are welcome.

I have the Sigma 17-70 and it's a real gem!

I second the 40mm Pancake... 2.8 should be fast enough for most situations. Theres also the 24 2.8 now. For the price, maybe carry both? You could easily pocket the one not being used.