What's a good "walking around" lens?

So I now have a 70-200 L IS f4, a Sigma 150-600, and a Tokina 11-16. Next I need a good walking around lens for when I can't carry all my gear with me. I shoot landscapes, wildlife and birds. My current lens is the kit 18-55 which is ok but not as good as I'd like. Any suggestions that don't cost a fortune and would give me a good range? It's for a crop sensor camera.

Canon 24-105L IS

The Swiss army knife of lenses.

Even better: 24-105 STM.

tnp wrote in post #17825971
So I now have a 70-200 L IS f4, a Sigma 150-600, and a Tokina 11-16. Next I need a good walking around lens for when I can't carry all my gear with me. I shoot landscapes, wildlife and birds. My current lens is the kit 18-55 which is ok but not as good as I'd like. Any suggestions that don't cost a fortune and would give me a good range? It's for a crop sensor camera.

Since you use a 18-55mm lens, you must be using a crop body. What is wrong with the kit lens?

For a crop sensor, the Canon 15-85 IS f3.5-5.6 checks a lot of boxes. If you want something with a constant aperture, the Canon 24-105 IS f4 is not quite as wide but is a real workhorse and both should be in the same price range ($600ish) if you go refurb or keep monitoring canonpricewatch.com for deals. In a similar price range, Canon has the newer 24-105 IS 3.5-5.6 STM, which has some pretty good reviews. For crop, I like the width and range of the 15-85 and I find the IS to be very effective. The 15-85 also fits nicely in between your Tokina ( nice, sharp lens!) and your 70-200.

And better yet... EFS 18-135 STM. More reach and he doesn't lose on the wide end.

uwphotoguy wrote in post #17826001
For crop, I like the width and range of the 15-85 and I find the IS to be very effective.

Very true, but the 18-55mm STM is sharper. See my review and comparison.

Archibald wrote in post #17826010
Very true, but the 18-55mm STM is sharper. See my review and comparison.

I think he meant the IS on the STM lens. I would agree with that. Everything about the 18-55 STM astounds me. I got a boatload of lens for $70 with this one.

24mm 2.8 stm prime. Dirt cheap, great IQ. Weighs nothing.

on a crop, i'd take the 18-135STM over either of the 24-105's...

Scott M wrote in post #17826002
And better yet... EFS 18-135 STM. More reach and he doesn't lose on the wide end.

Let's not forget the Canon EFs 15-85 mm IS USM. While 85mm may not seem like a lot of reach, for a general walk around its still pretty useful, and 15mm is considerably wider than 18mm. While the extra 3mm on the wide end may not sound like much, it practice its a huge difference and 15mm is right in the middle of the ultra wide range.

texkam wrote in post #17825988
Canon 24-105L IS

The Swiss army knife of lenses.

Have to agree here. My most used lens by far, and I have quite a few lenses.

maverick75 wrote in post #17826014
24mm 2.8 stm prime. Dirt cheap, great IQ. Weighs nothing.

Probably a very nice lens, but a bit wide, and less versatile than a zoom, making it less attractive as a walk-around lens.

Might be very handy at times, though. Too bad there is no EF-S 30mm f/1.8.

Archibald wrote in post #17825995
Since you use a 18-55mm lens, you must be using a crop body. What is wrong with the kit lens?

Wanting something a bit sharper.

A bit sharper than the 18-55 STM? Most L-lenses can't meet that requirement, at least over the focal length and aperture ranges this lens covers. Your limiting yourself to 24-70 II, and 70-200 II. Both good choices, I am sure, but a tad expensive.