I figure only way to learn is ask.....

a lot of questions.

Hopefully this will be my last for a while. I own a Rebel XS, yes I know not the best camera, but it works for me.

Just traded my 18-55mm kit lens for a Tamron 28-80mm. Not sure I like the Tamron, but haven't used it a bunch.

Have been using a Sigma 18-200mm for my walk around lens, but am wanting something a bit smaller and lighter.

Will probably end up selling/trading the Sigma for either 15-85mm or 18-135mm.

I guess I'm asking opinions on the best all around lens. I use the camera to document our travels. Nothing professional. There are so many lens options out there, and I guess thats great for those that understand "crop body, F stop, aperture, red ring, IS, etc." I don't, so I just need something simple, but good, and versatile enough to take close-ups, landscape, and family fun pictures.

Thanks for input.

tawcat wrote in post #10081349
a lot of questions.

Hopefully this will be my last for a while. I own a Rebel XS, yes I know not the best camera, but it works for me.

Just traded my 18-55mm kit lens for a Tamron 28-80mm. Not sure I like the Tamron, but haven't used it a bunch.

Have been using a Sigma 18-200mm for my walk around lens, but am wanting something a bit smaller and lighter.

Will probably end up selling/trading the Sigma for either 15-85mm or 18-135mm.

I guess I'm asking opinions on the best all around lens. I use the camera to document our travels. Nothing professional. There are so many lens options out there, and I guess thats great for those that understand "crop body, F stop, aperture, red ring, IS, etc." I don't, so I just need something simple, but good, and versatile enough to take close-ups, landscape, and family fun pictures.

Thanks for input.

I am not familiar with any of those lenses. But my understanding from this board is that all of those all around lenses covering 18 to 200 are optically inferior to other lenses that do not cover as much territory.

My suggestion is to use the lens you have at f5.6 or less and it should give good results. I had a 28-300 lens and a 28-200 lens in the distant past and both performed pretty well if stopped down. Your should do the same, hopefully.

If you want to go sharper and lighter, you are most likely looking at two lenses. And there is a long list of good ones depending on your budget.

Ever thought of getting a flash unit? That could help quite a lot with everyday photography.

tawcat wrote in post #10081349
...I guess I'm asking opinions on the best all around lens...

When you find such an animal, please let us know.
There is no such thing as a one size fits all/do everything lens.

My list.
Best all around ultra-wide = Canon 10-22
Best all around walk around = Canon 17-55
Best all around short zoom = Canon 70-200 f/4
Best all around long zoom = Canon 100-400

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=864382

Some thoughts in that thread.

Also, WHY did you swap your 18-55 for the 28-80? In your other post, pretty much everyone said not to bother. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=861316

tawcat wrote in post #10081349
thats great for those that understand "crop body, F stop, aperture, red ring, IS, etc." I don't, so I just need something simple, but good, and versatile enough to take close-ups, landscape, and family fun pictures.

Thanks for input.

It would benefit you GREATLY to learn about "crop body, F stop, aperture" (and add focal length/perspective to that list).

I would just stick with your Sigma 18-200 until you get it all figured out.

egordon99 wrote in post #10082006
It would benefit you GREATLY to learn about "crop body, F stop, aperture" (and add focal length/perspective to that list).

I would just stick with your Sigma 18-200 until you get it all figured out.

Agreed.

gjl711 wrote in post #10081960
My list.
Best all around ultra-wide = Canon 10-22
Best all around walk around = Canon 17-55
Best all around short zoom = Canon 70-200 f/4
Best all around long zoom = Canon 100-400

All good suggestions.

tawcat wrote in post #10081349
I guess I'm asking opinions on the best all around lens. I use the camera to document our travels. Nothing professional. There are so many lens options out there, and I guess thats great for those that understand "crop body, F stop, aperture, red ring, IS, etc." I don't, so I just need something simple, but good, and versatile enough to take close-ups, landscape, and family fun pictures.

The best lens is the one attached to your camera. Photographers have been making incredible images for over 100 years using less technology than we consider "disposable." They didn't need autofocus or image stabilization or digital image chips or "L" glass or even colour.

Stop reading lens marketing catalogues and get out there and shoot thousands of photos. How many photo opportunities came and went outside your front door while you were reading this, wondering if your lens was good enough?

When you've advanced to where your camera gear is holding you back from what you want to do and you need to upgrade, you'll know.

I suspect, however, that you'll learn that the camera doesn't hold you back; you do. Fancier camera equipment just makes it easier or faster to get the image you want.

Considering you really don't care about all the specifics and really just want something that will cover almost everything. The Canon 18-200mm is decent size and not a horrible lens, it will probably fit your needs.

I think the two Canon lenses that it normally comes down to for a daily walk around are:

• EF-S 18-55 f/2.8 IS USM
  
• EF 24-70 f/2.8 L

Lens Lenders wrote in post #10082077
Stop reading lens marketing catalogues and get out there and shoot thousands of photos. How many photo opportunities came and went outside your front door while you were reading this, wondering if your lens was good enough?

When you've advanced to where your camera gear is holding you back from what you want to do and you need to upgrade, you'll know.

Ditto....I see lots of folks spending MORE time on here waffling between bodies/systems/lenses than they do learning photography.

hairy_moth wrote in post #10082092
I think the two Canon lenses that it normally comes down to for a daily walk around are:

• EF-S 18-55 f/2.8 IS USM
  
• EF 24-70 f/2.8 L

The differences are fairly obvious:
The L is a little longer, the EF-S wider. The EF-S has IS.
The IQ is similar, I think the nod goes to the EF-S.
The EF-S is a little less expensive.. should not be an issue.
The EF-S's build quality is considered to be near that of an L.

I'm pretty sure the 24-70L is quite a bit heavier than the Sigma 18-200mm Great lens though! I use mine all the time

egordon99 wrote in post #10082107
I'm pretty sure the 24-70L is quite a bit heavier than the Sigma 18-200mm..

It's not called the Brick for nothing.

egordon99 wrote in post #10082103
Ditto....I see lots of folks spending MORE time on here waffling between bodies/systems/lenses than they do learning photography.

Except for your intentional derogatory tone (e.g., waffling).. spending time here is not a bad thing when you can't get out and shoot. I have learned a lot here that probably would have taken me years to figure out on my own just shooting.

Wow!!!! I guess I deserved all that was said.

I traded the the 18-55 basically on impulse and to be truthful, I don't remember even reading it was a Tamron lens. The guy I traded with exchange a few PM's My assumption was it too was a Canon! My bad for not really paying attention. I'm okay with the trade.

As for F stop, aperture and the like, I'm not totally ignorant to them, just not a wiz kid like many of y'all.

Again thanks for all your comments, suggestions and feedback. And yes, more than likely will keep the Sigma 18-200mm for when I need to reach out. And will probably settle on a good quality lens in the 18-85mm range for an everyday walk around lens.

These forums are so valuable.