topic Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe in Gear Guide

Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

GRK041668 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:43:25 GMT

Hello all, I'm new to DSLR camera, I purchased a Canon T3I as I was told it was a good camera for beginners. I'm traveling to Europe in a few weeks and I'm unsure what lenses I should bring with me. I currently have 5 lenses and only want to bring 3 out of 5 due to space. I have the standard 18-55 MM (Which I'm bringing), 50 MM, 28 MM, 55-250 MM and a 100-300 MM. I was wondering which two out of those 4 that I should bring. I would really appreciate the input.

Re: Lense questions

kvbarkley — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 21:20:26 GMT

What are you going to be shooting? Europe is a big place. I think the 18-55 and 55-250 should cover (hah!) about everything.

Re: Lense questions

GRK041668 — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 21:27:11 GMT

Hello,

I will be doing landscapes, WWII Battle Grounds, Architecture and hopefully some weather..

Re: Lense questions

GRK041668 — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 21:28:05 GMT

What would the 28MM and 50MM lenses be used for? I looked online and couldn't really find anything. Thank you

Re: Lense questions

kvbarkley — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:52:19 GMT

They would be used when you want a fixed focal length, either because you "see" in that focal length, or you are shooting fixed subjects, like portraits.

While you can always shoot multiple shots and combine them into a pnaorama, you might want a wide angle lens like the EF-S 10-18 or EF-S 10-22. Canon is having a screaming deal on the refurbished 18-22, but it appears to be out of stock. They do have the 10-18.

Re: Lense questions

GRK041668 — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:08:13 GMT

Thank you so much.

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

ebiggs1 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:53:42 GMT

"I currently have 5 lenses and only want to bring 3 out of 5 due to space. I have the standard 18-55 MM (Which I'm bringing), 50 MM, 28 MM, 55-250 MM and a 100-300 MM."

I agree with KVB, " I think the 18-55 and 55-250 should cover ... about everything." The last lens to take is a prime, Primes are special purpose lenses so if their no good reason to take one, don't. Zooms due to there way much more usefulness and ability have overtaken primes. Plus the IQ of zooms has improved so much there is little difference. And in your case a 50mil and or the 28mil is redundant as you already have those FL in the 18-55mm zoom. The 100-300mm zoom only offers 50mm more FL so again little improvement and lots of redundant FL since the 55-250mm already includes,100 to 250mm, of it.

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

shadowsports — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:06:50 GMT

Greetings ,

I agree with my colleagues posts above. You'll have everything covered with the two lenses (in consideration of landscape and architecture). There's no reason to drag the EF 100-300 along which doesn't have IS. There's only roughly half a stop of light between f2.8 and f3.5 (negligible). The EF 28 mm has a field of view equivalent of 44 mm which you've already got covered. Use your extra space for a few batteries and memory cards. 😉

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

GRK041668 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:09:23 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

kvbarkley — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 01:47:47 GMT

There is a reason to take the 50mm (f/1.8 I assume). It is probably your fastest lens and that extra bit of light might come in handy inside a dark cathedral where flash is not allowed, or not effective.

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

GRK041668 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:19:26 GMT

Awesome, cool, thank you very much. I really appreciate your time and help and advice.

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:47:00 GMT

"There is a reason to take the 50mm (f/1.8 I assume). ..."

This is the point I made restated don't take any prime unless you can define a special need. Unless I knew for certain I needed a low light lens I still recommend leaving it at home.

Re: Lens recommendations for trip to Europe

kvbarkley — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:36:57 GMT

When I was in Europe, I would have needed a low-light lens in several situations (for my Minolta APS SLR!):

Inside the bell tower of a cathedral

The cathedral itself

Stained glass to get an HDR shot.