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What is a versatile travel lens?

Started Jan 19, 2016 | Questions
Redtimber New Member • Posts: 10
What is a versatile travel lens?

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice on what lens to purchase for when I travel to Europe in September and October this year. I will be visiting Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. I like taking landscapes and video. Any tips/pointers on what to choose that is somewhat versatile so I only have to worry about 1 lens while away. I only own the Rokinon 24mm F/1.4 and the kit lens for the 7DMKII. I am looking at getting the Canon 50mm F/1.4 but is it wide enough on a Canon 6D for landscapes? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thank you!

 Redtimber's gear list:Redtimber's gear list
Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Rokinon 24mm F1.4 Aspherical OnePlus One
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Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 7D Mark II
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(unknown member) Veteran Member • Posts: 5,590
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?
2

Redtimber wrote:

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice on what lens to purchase for when I travel to Europe in September and October this year. I will be visiting Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. I like taking landscapes and video. Any tips/pointers on what to choose that is somewhat versatile so I only have to worry about 1 lens while away. I only own the Rokinon 24mm F/1.4 and the kit lens for the 7DMKII. I am looking at getting the Canon 50mm F/1.4 but is it wide enough on a Canon 6D for landscapes? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thank you!

I think if you only want to take one lens you might find a 50/1.4 rather limiting.  Would suggest either a 24-105/4 or 24-70/4.

hotdog321
hotdog321 Forum Pro • Posts: 21,141
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?
1

As with anything, it depends. But for full frame, it is hard to beat a 16-35 f/4L IS or one of the recent 24-70 lenses.

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 hotdog321's gear list:hotdog321's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L II USM Canon EF 16-35mm F4L IS USM +3 more
StevenSHH
StevenSHH Contributing Member • Posts: 609
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

That depends if you are taking 6D, 7D II or both?

7D II with 18-135mm lens should be good enough, you can try to get EF-S 10-18mm, or EF-S 24mm STM.

As for 6D, that is a bit more difficult as lens choice would be EF 40mm STM and either 24-105 STM or the L version.

I would suggest just bring the 7D II, couple lens, accessories, + one smart phone and that's it.

And anything that you can backup your photos daily, and watch for your safety and belongings

Have fun!!!

 StevenSHH's gear list:StevenSHH's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4
MikeJ9116 Veteran Member • Posts: 6,958
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

If landscapes and video are what you plan to photograph, and you want a one lens solution, then I say the 6D with the EF 24-105mm STM lens is the best choice.  The EF 24-105mm STM on the 6D is wider than the 18-135mm on the 7Dm2.  The 6D will also allow you to take low light indoor shots better than the 7Dm2.  The STM version of the 24-105mm is better for video than the L version.  Since telephoto range isn't a concern, taking a FF sensor camera over a crop sensor seems more useful for what you plan to shoot.

Tapeman Contributing Member • Posts: 672
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?
1

I agree with taking a full frame & 24-105.

Michael Thomas Mitchell Forum Pro • Posts: 12,158
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?
1

Redtimber wrote:

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice on what lens to purchase for when I travel to Europe in September and October this year. I will be visiting Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. I like taking landscapes and video. Any tips/pointers on what to choose that is somewhat versatile so I only have to worry about 1 lens while away. I only own the Rokinon 24mm F/1.4 and the kit lens for the 7DMKII. I am looking at getting the Canon 50mm F/1.4 but is it wide enough on a Canon 6D for landscapes? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thank you!

Travel need versatility. For full-frame, that's the 24-105 L, and for APS-C, it's the 18-135 STM.

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George Spencer Senior Member • Posts: 1,079
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

I spent 3 weeks in Greece with a 6D and a 24-105L lens.  I didn't miss a thing.  I spent 8 days in Germany with the same setup.  That combination was great for 90% of the photos I was taking there but I wish I had taken a longer lens for some of the castles along the Rhine.

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richro Regular Member • Posts: 244
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

Michael Thomas Mitchell wrote:

Travel need versatility. For full-frame, that's the 24-105 L, and for APS-C, it's the 18-135 STM.

This.

I really hope Canon releases a EF-M 15-85 some time soon for an ultra-portable, ultra-versatile travel combo.

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Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS M5 Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Canon EOS M Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM +11 more
gavin
gavin Veteran Member • Posts: 8,242
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

I travel with 5DII and 24-70/2.8 so for you the 17-55/2.8IS and 7DII is a good normal zoom combination. the 24-70 and 24-105 are not really wide enough for general purpose as they are targeted for FF cameras

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OP Redtimber New Member • Posts: 10
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

I would tend to agree with you. Thanks for all the information.

 Redtimber's gear list:Redtimber's gear list
Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Rokinon 24mm F1.4 Aspherical OnePlus One
OP Redtimber New Member • Posts: 10
Re: What is a versatile travel lens?

Great, I've been looking at some used lenses on kijiji. Seems like most of them are half the price of new, which is great.

 Redtimber's gear list:Redtimber's gear list
Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Rokinon 24mm F1.4 Aspherical OnePlus One
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