"Vacation" or "walk around" lens

I have Ti1, with kit lens 18-55, and the 70-300 IS. I love the 300 for sports etc, but I would like to replace the kit lens with a good walk around lens. I have read through the forum and have no clue on what to get. Looking to spend under $500 if possible. Basically I want a lens that will do good indoors at dinner, then do good outside with landscapes, and then I only need the 300 for wildlife, sports. Any ideas?

There are basically 2 ways to go about this. First, you can upgrade your 18-55 to an f2.8 lens of similar range. For $500 you basically have 2 options, the SIgma 18-50 f2.8 Macro, or the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Neither have image stabilization, but do have faster aperture and should be sharper across the range than your 18-55.

The other option (and the one I chose) is to complement your 18-55 with a lightweight fast prime lens. So something like a Sigma 30mm f1.4, Canon 28mm f1.8 or 35mm f2. You then use the prime lens for indoors and the 18-55 IS outdoors. No it is not a one lens solution, but the two lenses will be nice and small and easy to carry.

The 18-55 is in the walkaround lens range. Are you looking for an upgrade b/c you unhappy with image quality?

Under $500, you might want to try the Tamron 17-50 or save for a Canon 17-40L. I'm sure you would be happy with either lens.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 or 17-50mm f/2.8 are both good enough.

15-85mm? With the recent rebate it's $620, a little over your budget, but it really is a "do-it-all" lens. Great range and IQ, build is very very good for an EF-S lens. This is really all you'll need for vacation, granted for those dinner shots you might have to use flash depending on the lighting.

Sell the 18-55.
Buy a tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (killer lens)
And buy a used Canon 430 ex flash (1 or 2) ..... or instead of the flash, spend a little more and get the sigma 30mm f/1.4 for situations such as indoors and at dinner. The 30mm is a wonderful low light lens since it lets in so much light into the camera, but it's not a substitute for a flash.

LQQKQIK wrote in post #10255896
15-85mm? With the recent rebate it's $620, a little over your budget, but it really is a "do-it-all" lens. Great range and IQ, build is very very good for an EF-S lens. This is really all you'll need for vacation, granted for those dinner shots you might have to use flash depending on the lighting.

+1

I was in the very same position as you, with the kit lens and 70-300 IS, and ended up getting a Tamron 17-50. Even though I was very happy with the image quality, I found I avoided using it as much as I anticipated because of its size. It may seem silly, but I just didn't care for the bulk while tagging along with the wife to restaurants & shops while on vacation. I replaced it with a Canon 28mm 2.8, and found it very suitable for my needs, and very light & compact.

I don't separate my lit that way. I treat shooting on vacation the same as an assignment. I take the same "small" kit as I would on a shoot as far as the camera goes. 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50 1.8, and flash. But I don't mind having a back pack on all day.

My interest in IQ does not go down because I am on vacation. In fact it goes up. Especially when I am going someplace I will most likely not go back to. The resulting images are worth the lil extra effort.

Mark1 wrote in post #10256277
I don't separate my lit that way. I treat shooting on vacation the same as an assignment. I take the same "small" kit as I would on a shoot as far as the camera goes. 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50 1.8, and flash. But I don't mind having a back pack on all day.

My interest in IQ does not go down because I am on vacation. In fact it goes up. Especially when I am going someplace I will most likely not go back to. The resulting images are worth the lil extra effort.

That says it all!

Mark1 wrote in post #10256277
I don't mind having a back pack on all day.

Ken Rockwell says you aren't supposed to use a backpack for your camera gear, or camera strap that says Canon EOS on it. You should know better.

You're asking for too much in one lens, let alone for around $500. If you're willing to compromise on low light capability, and instead bump up your ISO, you should take a look at any of the superzooms on the market now, like the Canon 18-200 or Tamron 18-270. I have the 18-270 and use it when I don't want to mess with changing lenses, and it's great for what it is. I bought it for around $500 after rebate.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #10256785
Ken Rockwell says you aren't supposed to use a backpack for your camera gear, or camera strap that says Canon EOS on it. You should know better.

What's wrong with using a backpack or a camera strap that says Canon EOS???
I have one...

robbykh wrote in post #10257271
What's wrong with using a backpack or a camera strap that says Canon EOS???
I have one...

You are not supposed to question what MR Rockwell advocates.

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS for $499.95, refurbished, at Adorama. I like the idea of saving nearly 20% on a lens. I purchased the described lens and a 24-105. Both looked and worked as if new.

The 18-200 is not perfect but it is much better than the "pixel peepers" would have you believe. It is what it is, a family/travel lens that is about as good as a one lens does it all can be and still be affordable for many consumers. The 200mm length is great for outside, family photos.
http://www.adorama.com​/CA18200AFR.html

Adorama also has the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, refurbished, for $369.95. I don't know anything about it.
http://www.adorama.com​/CA18135ISR.html