New Travel Lens suggestions wanted

[Rab]

Been very busy at work and other things so have not been in here for quite some while. BUT

I am going travelling again shortly [China] and was thinking of a new travel lens.

Current kit is a Canon 450D with the 18-55 kit lens, 55-250 IS zoon, a Sigma 105 macro and my current travel lens - Tamron 18-250 3.5-6..

Never been too impressed by the Tamron which has no IS and seems overly soft throughout its range.

So what do I replace it with?

Thinking of:
Tamron 18-270 that does have IS which will mean just one lens lightening the load or
Canon 15-85 IS USM (and taking the 55-250 for the odd long shot

Anyone with experience of either - or other suggestion.

[devilgas]

[Rab]

[Ian]

Re: New Travel Lens suggestions wanted

I was going to ask why the various 18-200 superzoom lenses from Canon, Sigma, and Tamron weren't being considered as I use similar power lenses from Panasonic and Olympus on my Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds gear - and I'm very happy with these, but looking at some reviews the options you have aren't very attractive!

Maybe you should switch to Nikon and get their 18-200, which is quite good, or switch to Micro Four Thirds

Ian

[devilgas]

Re: New Travel Lens suggestions wanted

I was going to ask why the various 18-200 superzoom lenses from Canon, Sigma, and Tamron weren't being considered ...

i'll be honest, i've not checked out the superzooms, but that's because i've got the glass that suits my needs. IMO the IQ from the 70-200 F4L is exceptional and would be difficult for a jack-of-all-trades lens to beat. so, it's multiple bits of glass for me.

swap from canon (and all that's been invested in it) to a.n.other just for a superzoom lens that i've got covered in 2 units. errrr, no ta!

[ash]

Re: New Travel Lens suggestions wanted

Can I just stress that I M O the nikon 18-200vr is the best superzoom compact lens at the moment. But I guess this would mean you changing body's, but its worth it.
Ash.

[devilgas]

Re: New Travel Lens suggestions wanted

rab, this site - http://www.the-digital-picture.com/r...mp=6&APIComp=1 - may be of use? when i was looking for a lens for cricket last year, it was invaluable as it let me see comparisons between lenses.

[Rab]

Re: New Travel Lens suggestions wanted

Thanks all and thanks for the link devilgas - very useful indeed.

Fairly sure that I will invest in the 15-85 to replace the kit lens but for now I think I'll have to take two lenses (leaving the Tamron at home).

Maybe next years bonus (if we get one) can stretch to an L series zoom

Switching to Nikon is not an option I had considered and not one I want to follow just a few weeks before travelling - would rather take a box I know.