[Shane]

Hi,

I'm new to the site and forum. I'm an avid amateur photographer with a Canon 20D and the following lenses: Canon 17-40L, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Tamron 28-75 (the digital one), and a Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro. I am climbing Mt. Rainier in about a month and am trying to keep the weight in my backpack down. I am going to bring my camera and I need to pick one lens. I am looking at buying a new one if necessary. So, If I can only take one lens, which one should it be? I am looking at Tamron's new 18-250 super zoom, but some of the reviews are a little equivocal. I'm willing to spend up to 6 or 7 hundred dollars, if necessary for the right lens. I wan't a lens that will handle the wide angle shots, but also have the ability to go to the longer focal lengths. I guess I'm just looking for the best all-around, versatile lens and it needs to be lightweight as well. Also, I need to buy a compact, lightweight and decently stable tripod for the climb, so any andvice along those lines would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

[Markulous]

I'll leave the choice of lens to others but I'd definitely use the tripod weight to take another lens (intead of a tripod!). You could always improvise a tripod but you'll never improvise a lens!

[Dabhand16]

Welcome to Pixalo Shane. You ought to have some great shots to show us when you return.

Having never undertaken anything remotely like your trip, I guess I'm not best placed to offer too much advice. But I would have thought that the opportiunites for the telephoto would be limited, so I would place more value on wider lenses. Somewhere around 17 at the wide end going to between 85-150 at the tele end.

but what do I know?

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Shane

I am looking at Tamron's new 18-250 super zoom, but some of the reviews are a little equivocal. I'm willing to spend up to 6 or 7 hundred dollars, if necessary for the right lens.

The Sigma 18-200 OS could be well worth looking at, with the included optical stabilizer it might mean you could leave the tripod behind (unless you want it for self portraits when you get to the top)... not sure when it's due to be released though, and as such there's no reviews yet

http://www.pixalo.com/community/news...ighlight=sigma

$549 at B&H - Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Lens for Canon Digital EOS

[Shane]

Thanks very much for the help. After several days of research and equivocation, I finally decided on the Canon 17-85 4-5.6 IS lens. It's reviews were pretty uniformly positive and it is supposed to be a very good complement to my 20D. As it turns out, it is difficult to point to the one perfect "walkabout" lens. I went with this one because I really wanted the wider angle because I'll be on Mt. Rainier and will be taking a lot of landscape shots. When I get back, I'll try to share some of the results. Thanks again for the help. Shane.

[Dabhand16]

I think you have made a good choice

[RussellSouthey]

Hi Shane
What an exciting trip you're about to embark on!! I have an 18-200 lens which I use all the time for the same reasons as you are looking for a lens to take with you - it's got the wide angle and enough of a zoom to be useful. I've got a Sony DLSR and I use the Sony lens and I'm very happy with this kit. I'd have a look at the Sigma 18-200 - it's a great lens, reasonably well priced, robust - but just a little heavy. Good luck with choosing the right lens for you - and have a wonder-filled trip.
Russell

[knobby]

Hi Shane, good luck on your trip, My father has a 20D and he uses the 17-85is lens ... its always on his camera and takes nice sharp pics ... I'm a nikon user so take that as a compliment !!

Gaz