european trip. what ONE lens to bring with a 40D

If you had to choose btw

24-70L
24-105L
70-200 2.8


those are the 3 on my list right now, as i am going on a nice vacation hitting a few countries in Europe. weight is not a factor.

also, anything that would be a better option than the ones i listed?

The Sigma 10-22 (I guess you mean 20) in your sig, and the 24-105L.

Kind regards, Wim

If you mean 24-105mm IS f4. Then take that for sure.

If you are only going to take one lens, then I would recommend that you take the Sigma 10-20 in your signature. You can always crop your images when you get home, if 20mm is not long enough, but you can't do make your pictures wider in Photoshop after the fact, if you only take a 24mm lens. Europe was made for a wide lens.

If you can squeeze two in, then I'd recommend the 10-20 and 24-105L

From an American who made his first voyage to Scotland and England (which was extremely wonderful) this past January... something as wide as possible will do for 95% of your shots!!

24-105 is my choice! That's what I took to Europe and it worked very well!
Have a great trip!

24-105L

but also bring a P&S with you.

If you're only going to bring one, it should be the 24-105

24-105. most flexible in your lineup for most photo opportunities.

Ouch. I was about to suggest a Sigma 30 mm f1.4 but given the selection you've put up, I'd say the 24-70 because of the 2.8 aperture.

But if you had money, I would suggest the 30mm prime. I was in New Zealand for 17 days 90% of my photos were taken with the prime (the other lenses I brought were the 18-55 kit, 11-16, 70-200L, 55-250 IS plus 50D and 450D bodies).

24-70 would be nice indoors.

24-105 is my vote though.

I'm actually doing a trip to Europe in two weeks, biking in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, then spending about a week in France, including some time in Paris. I just bought a EF 24-105 f/4L IS last night, and I'm trying to get an EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5, figuring that will cover almost everything I need. Depending on weight I may throw my EF 50 f/1.4 into the bag as well, just in case I need a fast lens (though the 50mm is a bit long for the Paris catacombs...), but I'm not certain of that yet.

I was in London in November and brought everything in my sig - but found that I only used the 70-200 a couple of times and that was just to justify lugging it around.

The 24-70 and the 10-22 took 99% of the shots. The UWA is so small (comparatively) that it should go with you no matter what other lens you take.

Unless you are really burning to buy a new lens, and using this trip as the justification, I think you are set with what you have (sorry!).

Since the 40D is a 1.6x body, and most everything in Europe is up close & personal, I would go with the recommendation of the 10-22, and take a 24-105, if you have it. Since weight is not a factor, why only request help on selecting One Lens?

Depending on where you are headed, if you are going to Germany/ Austria/ Mtn Region, I would take the 70-200, as an UWA won't do you much good up in the Mtns. I personally would take 4 lens selection, consisting of an UWA (16-35/10-22), either a prime of the 24/35 1.4 variety, the 70-200, & a Tilt Shift, but that is me. Going to Europe, which parts matter not, the reason, why I am suggesting the Tilt Shift, is that, I would want to capture the Architecture, but do it right, and not deal with it later in PS, which doesn't do as well as a T-S does.

Most importantly, enjoy your trip. Take in the Culture & History.

I'm still saying the WA before all else! I'm thankful I bought a Tokina 12-24 for my 40D right before the trip because of the brilliant architecture and narrow streets and alleys.