Pickup a Canon 18-135mm?

MrWasabi wrote:

I've been going back and forth about a good mix of lenses for my SL1 and which combos would work best especially when I want to pack light? My current lenses are:

-Canon 10-18mm STM

-Canon 18-55mm STM

-Canon 55-250mm STM

-Canon 24mm STM

The idea of rolling with just the 10-18 and a 18-135 at times is appealing. Anyone have the 18-135 with a SL1/2? It's only about .8" longer than my 18-55 so I can pack it in about the same space in my bag. I've read it can be a front heavy combo with the SL1 though?

Can I benefit from that combo or stick with what I have for better results and make it work when I pack my bag to head out. I'm mostly doing some hiking in FL and taking outdoors/wildlife type shots. Basically, can I replace my 18-55 with an 18-135 to give me more flexibility?

Thanks for any input.

We use the bigger 1D and 5D-series cameras for our work, but for travel, we love the SL1 with EF-S lenses.

First, the SL1 is fabulous for travel for those who enjoy a traditional SLR experience, but don't want the hassle of too much size and weight. The low light performance of a full-frame DSLR simply isn't necessary for general travel photography.

Our combo for travel is similar to yours. My wife and I use the same bag. We each have our own white body SL1, and the we share the lenses.

The 18-55 is my least favorite Canon lens. Recent versions are optically ok, but the focal range is thoroughly unspectacular, and the f5.6 aperture doesn't do it any favors. My wife strongly favors the 18-135 (NOT the original version, however... only the STM and USM versions). It's all about the focal range, of course, and what a range it is! In effect, it's a really good super-zoom. Sharp, stabilized, and fast to focus. How isn't it a great travel lens?

I personally favor the 15-85, and it's the lens that stays on my SL1 for travel pretty much by default. I love the wider end, which is actually quite dramatic. And the 85mm (135 equiv) telephoto end is still extremely useful. It's not a bright lens, but the versatility and focal quality (which is the best of any EFS zoom Canon makes) make up for it.

We both love the 55-250 STM. It's like having a 100-400 L on a full-frame body, but at a mere fraction of the size, weight and cost. Love the IQ. And focus is very fast.

The 10-18 is obligatory for travel, though I admit to using it less when the 15-85 is mounted than with either the 18-55 or 18-135. It's size, weight, and cost, too, make it a no-brainer.

The 24 pancake is just a cool and useful lens to have for travel. And it's all the better with the diminutive SL1. It's too small not to carry.

There is one other lens I enjoy traveling with, though it's hard to squeeze in the bag without going bigger: the Rokinon 8mm fisheye. It's not for everyone. But I love it.

We bought all refurb (except the fisheye) from Canon. Everything cost less than just my 70-200/2.8 II IS L. We've just booked a cruise for October. My camera back is already packed.