Lenses to take to Europe!

ksromack

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I have a 70d and upgraded to the 18-135mm kit lens when I purchased this camera a few months ago. At that time I also purchased the Sigma 10-20mm wide angle. I also have a Canon 50mm f1.8 and a Canon 75-300mm f4-5.6.

In my search for a better walk around lens I ordered the 24-105mm f4.0. I was hoping this would be the lens that stayed on the camera for the bulk of our trip to Europe next spring. Now I realize it won't be wide enough, nor fast enough for many of the places we will be visiting, namely churches and museums. I understand flash photography isn't allowed, nor are tripods. I do have the heavy duty gorillapod I plan to take as well.

I have read that the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 is a good, fast lens. Should this be the lens I purchase to close the gap in my arsenal? Or get the Canon 17-55mm f2.8? My main focus at this point will be getting good pictures in museums and churches. I don't necessarily want to carry ALL of my lenses with me and will definitely leave the kit lens and the 75-300 zoom lenses at home. What lenses would you suggest I buy and bring with me. The Sigma 18-35mm is about as expensive and I can handle right now.

Thanks for any help!
 
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As low light or walk around lenses I would use a fast 35mm and a 50mm (your 1.8 would do nicely). If you want a wide angle, bring your wide angle also. Going light is key on museum trips. Bring what lenses you think you are going to use that day, and leave the rest behind at home base.
 
Definitely take a WA lens, For Museums and Churches you'd be annoyed if you left it at home.. standard walk around and a fast prime. So I would say your 18-135, 20-30 and your prime.. IMO you can leave the tele at home..
 
@ D7K, so my 18-135mm and NOT my 24-105 f/4.0? I was thinking I would bring one or the other but not both. I thought the 24-105mm might be a better lens? I will bring the prime just because it so light and does take great pics but I'm afraid I couldn't rely on it solely in a museum because I may not be able to back up enough to get the shot. I don't have a 20-30mm lens. I do have a 10-20mm lens. Is that what you mean? Would the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 be a good lens for museums?

@Theo2, do you think a 35mm prime would be a better lens or perhaps that Sigma 18-35mm?
 
Sorry just re-read my post and yours... I was distracted somewhat!!

To revise - Your 24-105 would be a perfect "Wandering lens", the 10-20 I would definitely throw in the bag and as you said the prime, because well, it's so portable and useful.. The 18-35 would be suitable for museums but you may find yourself wanting more in Churches and open squares / areas. There are a lot of beautiful places, churches, squares, courtyards etc where I really think you'd benefit more from the 10-20 than the 18-35, Also, if you've got your 24-105 with you then you're into overlap with the 18-35 and I doubt you'd ever need / use the 1.8 in a museum setting..
 
I took a trip to a Mission last month and got some great inside and outside photos. It was quite dark inside the mission church. I used my 6D with the 24-105 for outside walk around and the 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.8 for inside. The mix worked fantastic, I was well pleased with the set up.

Your 70D is a Crop factor so to convert, I'd recommend the 18-135 for outside walk around and the 50 1.8 to replace the 85 for inside distance shots. A fast 24 or 28mm would be ideal to match the 50 for the shorter shots. The Sigma 18-35 f1.8 may fit that bill as well. The 1.8 was fast enough in the dark mission when I was there.

The 10-20 would give a good Wide Angle advantage as well but may be a bit slow inside a dark church or museum (IMO). But the 10-20 paired with the 18-135 gives a great focal range for outside. The the 18-35 F1.8 + the 50 gives a fast focal range for inside.

Enjoy the trip.
 
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I mostly rely on my prime lenses. I think the perfect walk around lens combo for me is a 35mm and a 50mm. The primes really push me to be more creative and to use my feet to zoom. Don't get me wrong though, I love my 24-105. I think if you have the ability you should bring all of your lenses with you and then when you go out on day trips bring only the ones you want to. There's nothing worse than carrying a massive amount of lenses and switching all of the time on a trip.

If you're going to photograph wildlife or things far away, bring a tele! If you're going to a museum, bring a prime and a zoom. That's what I do. Just my opinion though.
 
So, how do i tell if a lens is made for my 70d (crop sensor) vs a full frame? The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, would that be a true 18-35mm lens on my camera? I know the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 would be a true 17-55mm on my camera. I also understand the 24-105mm would really be 38x168mm on my camera.....the Sigma 10-20mm is really 10-20mm on my camera?
 
The 70D is a crop frame camera which means ANY lens has a crop factor of 1.6 on Canon cameras. All lenses are rated at the true MM, but must be converted on a crop frame camera. So your 18-35 would be a 28.8-56 mm lens and the 10-20 is a 16-32 mm lens on your camera.

On a Full Frame an 18-35 is 18-35 and 10-20 is a 10-20. A crop frame such as your 70D can use either EF S or EF so that is an advantage your 70D has over a Full Frame. In your case your 70D is good with both EF S and EF lenses, you simply multiply by 1.6.

However if you ever move to a full frame be careful as all Canon EF-S lens are built for Crop Frame cameras ONLY. A Full Frame will NOT handle an EF S lens very well. EF S lenses are designed specifically for crop frame cameras so a Full Frame is simply NOT designed to be used with a crop frame (EF S) lens. In some circumstances an EF S lens will damage a full frame camera. Some people may do that, but it is NOT recommended. Third Party Manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron will also specify what type camera a specific lens is built for.
 
Remember to get an adapter for your charger as they use different plugs.
 
Thanks everyone! I do actually have an adapter already!
 
I just came back from Italy. I didn't take my wide angle off once. 17-40 for the win. Cheers.
 

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