Trip to Egypt - advice on which lens

I'll be taking a touristy trip to (pyramiddy) Egypt this fall, and would like some advice on which Canon lens to take with my XT. I currently have a 50mm f1.4 and a 35mm f2. I'm assuming that I'll need a wide angle lens to get entire pyramids in the frame. Also, the group I'll be going with will be doing things at night that I might like to get photos of, and so a wide aperture for that would be preferable.

I'm afraid even my 35mm won't have a wide enough field of view. Could anyone who's been to Egypt give me advice on which lens to take (or buy)? I can't justify the expense of an L lens, but have been wondering if a 28mm 1.8 would be worth the cost for the additional FOV, or if I should consider an even wider FOV lens that might be "less useable" for me at home. Most of my photography at present is at family events, indoors, and I prefer Canon lenses, with wide apertures and using natural light.

Thanks in advance.

10-22 and 17-55IS or 24-105IS

You know, you can rent lenses

Get an EF-S 18-55 IS and take that, your 35/2 and your 70-300 (maybe).

Ciprofloxacin, imodium, and gastrolyte are very useful things to have on hand.

Have fun, I've been to Egypt three times and I'd love to go back again. A 17-55 IS should get the job done just fine.

I'd go light and would bring the 18-55 and your 50mm 1.4 for night pyramid shots. The light show every evening is very good but bring a jacket there. They do rent a blanket but I wouldn't go there. Awfully chilly in the "desert" at night.

Any bigger lens may bring you any unwanted attention.

Can't wait to go back. I have so much more to do. And oh by the way.. try to get to Luxor and the hot air balloon ride early in the morning. If you leave Cairo (Al-Qahirah is it's old name) really early in the morning to catch the train to Luxor you will (if organised) catch the early rays of sun as it descend on the valley.

Enjoy the trip.

I am in Egypt right (Alex) now and will be at the pyramids Wednesday (I come over here 6 times a year for a month at a time). The 35 will be fine for your shots. If you go in, I hope you are not scared of small spaces, and you are not a large person!
If ya need any advise about anything, shoot me a PM anytime.
I hope you are taking the JFK to Egypt flight as the one going through Paris sucks (their airport).

Thanks very much for all the assistance!

Whichever lens you decide on, grab a CPL to stick on it.

Bob

I used my 12-24 quite a bit in the temples (until I dropped it on the granite steps in Karnak during a lens change, then it was the 17-85. I used my wifes 75-300 IS when I wanted candids in town, and used my 100-400 mostly on the Nile trip for shoreline pics. Many in our group had no luck with meds for the stomach brought from home, but the Antinol available locally for a few bucks without a prescription worked wonders! P.S. - I had the metal ring changed out on the Tokina for about $25 and it's as good as new!