06-04-2023 06:35 PM
Hello everyone,
I have a Canon EOS Rebel T7 camera with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and I will be traveling to Japan in the fall and will be visiting Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima and Tokyo. I am looking for a versatile lens that can do a little bit of everything. Day and night photography, wide, portrait and up-close. I don't know a lot about camera lenses so I want to narrow down my search.
I will be capturing both photo and video of the autumn season and will be spending my time out doors in nature, sight seeing temples, walking through narrow alley ways, and capturing night life. My budget for a len(s) is $150-$600. I would like to keep my lenses to three max or two. I appreciate any recommendations! Thank you
06-04-2023 08:32 PM - edited 10-21-2023 11:37 AM
Since you're new to Canon's EOS System. Here are some abbreviations Canon uses on their lenses.
Here is a lens compatibility chart below.
06-04-2023 09:30 PM
I would recommend the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5.6 to be able to you exactly what you currently have, but with extra telephoto (reach) capabilities.
That lens is right at $600 (new). If you can stretch your budget a bit, I would recommend an EF 50mm f/1.8 which will do much better in lower light situations and on your Rebel T7, would make a decent portrait lens. This 50mm runs around $125 (new).
06-04-2023 09:38 PM
Forgot to add... if you don't foresee needing the 18-135 beyond your trip, and if the cost wouldn't be too high, you could consider renting it. The base cost for 15 days is around $40. Though you'd have to check the additional costs for insurance, and check if there's any additional cost/restrictions for taking it to different countries.
06-09-2023 04:55 PM
Thank you so much for your recommendations! I purchased the EF 50mm f/1.8, EF 10-18mm F/4.5-6.5 and EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM. I don't find the extra zoom to be useful for my needs at the moment. These three lens plus my stock lens will be more than enough to cover a variety of styles.
06-04-2023 10:21 PM
I agree with Ricky's suggestion for the EF-S 18-135 lens, making sure you get the STM or USM versions. Canon have this lens listed on their Refubished Lens site (currently out of stock, but you can select to get a heads-up when one is available. They are great lenses: I have had both the STM and USM versions, and still retain the USM unit as a go-to general walk-around lens. The USM is really silent for video work and super fast to focus.
Here is a link to the listing: Shop Canon Refurbished EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Canon U.S.A.,
06-05-2023 11:47 AM
"I would recommend the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5.6 ... If you can stretch your budget a bit, (also the) EF 50mm f/1.8 which will do much better in lower light situations ..."
Love this answer but I would not rent it nor would I rent any lens in this category. Total cost for renting it will likely approach a hundred bucks plus the hassle. The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5.6 is a wonderful lens and you may just think so too and decide to keep it. Other wise when you return sell it on to recoup some of the costs.
Both your current kit lens and even the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5 are very slow. This make the EF 50mm f1.8 a great choice when lighting goes south on you.
"...and on your Rebel T7, would make a decent portrait lens."
This is not necessary since both you current kit lens and the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5 cover 50mm. The 50mm will be for the low challenging light situations nothing else.
As a thought I would sell the kit lens now to buy the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5. If you really want to round out your bag check out the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens. It and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5 to 5 would be a great combo. But I am afraid I just blew the heck out of your budget! But how many times are you going to Japan?
06-09-2023 04:58 PM
I purchased the EF 50mm f/1.8, EF 10-18mm F/4.5-6.5 and EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM. I don't find the extra zoom on the EFS 18-135mm to be useful for my needs at the moment. These three lens plus my stock lens will be more than enough to cover a variety of styles. I plan on going more than once! I am currently looking for work there! 🙂
06-09-2023 06:59 PM
Regarding your statements:
"I am looking for a versatile lens that can do a little bit of everything. " The whole point of the EF-S 18-135 lens, to allow that flexibility, to do a little bit of everything, especially when one may not want to carry around multiple lenses, which is common when one is not static in a specific domicile. I am curious why you don't find that capability useful - it would help us to help you.
"I don't find the extra zoom on the EFS 18-135mm to be useful for my needs at the moment." The statement AT THE MOMENT is significant - situations change when one is in different locations. However, if you want an alternative, the EF-S 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, is highly flexible, but offers a critical wider angle and has less reach, which seems to be your preference. It has been described as 'the secret L lens' for the quality of the optic.
Finally, if you want to spend more, the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM is the fastest zoom lens in the Canon EF-S range. It has a smaller focal range than the previous two, but has that constant f/2.8 aperture and great optics. It is big, heavy but that is what you get when you want the optical performance, especially wider constant aperture.
06-05-2023 11:49 AM
" I am looking for a versatile lens that can do a little bit of everything. Day and night photography, wide, portrait and up-close."
I assume by now you realize that isn't going to happen. There is no one lens does it all.
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