anotherview Loc: California

The term "walk-around lens" means to me carrying a camera with only one lens mounted on it for all my picture-taking.

By contrast, when I go on a road trip, I take along several cameras each with a specific lens mounted to it for the subjects I may encounter. For now, I like to have both my Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS lens and my Canon 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6 IS lens each mounted on a Canon 5DII. I may also mount the Canon 35mm f/2.8 L lens on the Canon T4i because I like this prime lens for its optics and its sharpness.

Lately, I've been walking around with the new Canon 40mm f/2.8 "pancake" lens mounted on a Canon T4i. This lens I find near perfect optically. I can put all the kit gear in one small camera bag. The kit includes a circular polarizer, the Canon Speedlite 270EX with a diffuser cap fitted to it, and two spare AA batteries. I have a LensPen in my pocket for cleaning the lens face. I feel prepared to do photography with this kit.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Is there a RIGHT lens?

radduci Loc: Eagle, Wisconsin

I generally hesitate to jump in on a discussion, since I have a habit of 'lurking' and learning over many years. I find that most contributors to the discussion make very good points and are generally more knowledgeable than I am. The topic of a 'walk-around' lens is near and dear to my heart, however.

I tend to agree with everything that has been said so far, particularly with comments about taking only one lens. I believe that concept of a walk-around lens grows from the need to carry only one lens due to weight or other constraints when carrying multiple lenses is not possible and/or would simply wear you out over an extended period of time when traveling. I spent a number of years traveling for my company on business but always took along my SLR, multiple lenses and accessories from weeks on end. One day while in China and walking the 'great wall' with my bag of camera and lenses I asked myself 'what am I doing?" I was exhausted. (Unfortunately, I was shooting slide film and much of my effort is now sitting on the shelf in slide wheels waiting to be converted to digital when I have the time :)

My point is that I am not a professional photographer, although I do my best to take the best photos I can 'under the circumstance.' I generally have five lenses in my camera bag, my favorite being a Canon 24-105mm f/4L series, which is my real workhorse. However, when I am on vacation or on an extended stay away from home for any length of time my 24-105mm just doesn't have the full range that I prefer. I take only one lens with me.... an 18-270mm zoom. Instead of being exhausted by carrying a camera bag full of heavy equipment, I go lite and enjoy the trip and take my time shooting what I like with the wide range of focal lengths that this 'walk around' lens provides.

'For me", the concept of a walk-around lens means that you are looking for the best possible 'one' lens to carry that you can find to do the kind of shooting that you prefer. That lens could be anything. If you tend to shoot primarily at one distance and walk around to do the 'zooming' manually (when that option is available to you at the time), then 'that' lens is your walk-around lens. I tend to shoot from a variety of distances, since I particularly like street photography.

The bottom line 'for me' is that I shoot 'for me', only. I am not a professional so my maxim when away from home for an extended period of time is go lite. My definition of a 'walk-around lens is one that you would take if you 'had' to take only one lens. If there is no real need to limit yourself with a single lens, then you don't really need a walk-around lens and the term is irrelevant.

Just my thoughts.....

anotherview Loc: California

Yes: The lens you have with you for taking the pictures that may inspire you to do so with acceptable results.

This approach does require you the photographer to have in mind what kind of picture-taking you anticipate doing. Your preference will dictate the lens you use.

Plaza de Espana, Spain

Reddog Loc: Southern Calif

Nice Photo anotherview!

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I find it fascinating that no one here has even questioned why you're hanging out in Denny's taking pictures of your coffee cup. I love this place! :thumbup:

Apparently you were following the same "which walk around lens for a Cannon Widget1X" thread yesterday that got me thinking too. And the follow ups where everyone posts what lens/lenses they use most.

I have to wholeheartedly agree with Craggycrossers on this subject. What do YOU shoot most? You'll see two folks side by side, one trying to capture an entire building and half the street, while the other guy is fascinated by the texture of the paint on the door. Do you try to shoot every pretty girl walking down the street or conentrate on her shoes? Do you watch for every bird overhead or look for flowers at your feet?

It's all very personal. Myself, I've never owned a lens longer than 200mm and I'm fine with that. My own choice for a walkaround (just a camera with one lens, no other baggage) is my 55-200 kit lens. If I find something that would work better at a different length, I'll snap a couple of pics for reference, then return with tripod, focusing rail, filters, umbrellas, etc., to get the shot I want.

While we're at it, what is "walk around" or walkabout? That's when I head out the door for a few hours locally and can return if necessary. If you're going to Africa or from Caifornia to Tigard, OR, and won't be back for a few years, then pack everything you own! :-D

anotherview Loc: California

Not to hijack this thread, but to clarify a difference, let me note a so-called professional photographer differs from a non-professional in one respect that in consequence changes his work. A professional photographer makes money from his picture-taking. This money- making activity produces an inherent economic bias in the doing of photography. This bias affects the actions of the photographer despite all disclaimer to the contrary. A non-professional photographer, free of this bias, may do photography for its own sake. So he will do photography with no conscious economic constraint, and this difference will show itself in his work.

Wall and Arch, Mosque, Cordoba, Spain

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I use a Tamron 18-270mm on my Canon 50D as a "Walk-Around-Lens" every time I go to the French Quarter. I have made a very good income from taking street photography of the wonder rich and colorful sites in the city. I do a lot of shooting near Jackson Square of tourists, pidgins, and some of the local characters. Once in a while I'm asked if I could shoot something special for a tourist or local. If I agree, I'll use the best lens I have in the bag that will give me what the person wants. When I go home I have nice collection of shots, and I'll print and mount the best, and put them in my "for sale" bin. Any photos I have taken for a person, I give them a call and make arrangements to drop the printed copy at their home or hotel. I don't carry a bag of glass with me, but keep it locked in the car. So, for a person doing street photography, only one lens, which is like a Swiss Army Knife suits the bill.

anotherview Loc: California

Thanks for compliment.

anotherview Loc: California

In reviewing this thread, I note some posters feel limited by a single prime lens mounted on one camera as a kit for walking around.

Another option: Try a mid-range zoom mounted on one camera. I like the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4mm IS lens for this purpose because it suits many situations. The Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 IS lens could do as well. I mount mine on the Canon T4i for fine results.

jcarlosjr Loc: Orange County

Okay, much of this discussion is about the lens, natch. But in my experience it also make a little difference where one is walking about.

If I am walking locally or on assignment I can plan what I need to take with me, usually a camera with a mid range 4-5x zoom.

In film days I often traveled with a Pentax Spotmatic equipped with a 40mm pancake lens. Then later I simply carried an Olympus Stylus zoom.

When I am traveling (72 countries so far), I do not not know what I will encounter, but I do know I do not want to stand out or be a target for theft. So i carry a small point and shoot like my Canon S series cameras. (Next time I travel I can carry my newer Sony RX100). I do not lug a dslr when traveling out of country. Too heavy, too conspicuous.

So my 2 cents is think about the CAMERA then worry about the lens.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Good question. Seems to me to be dependent upon the place, the customs, the laws, etc. Having a camera in your hand does not give you permission to take a picture any where and any time you want, espeially when in a foreign country. There are times when you just have to suck it up and realize that you aren't going to get the shot you want. If the local custom is that you are not to take the picture without permission, or are not to take the picture at all, then using a zoom lens to take the picture from a distance is not acceptable. At least to me.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Yes, get the micro 4/3.

tommyf Loc: Vero Beach, FL

This is excellent and for so long now, I have relied on one lens and did quite well with this. Now, I just bought two Nikon 2.8, the 24~70 and the 70~200. Spent a lot of money but in the back of my mind, am wondering if I should perhaps go a different approach, which I do not yet understand. I really like what you say here and wish that perhaps you could give a bit more of your thoughts, especially now knowing what I purchased, which I have plenty of time to change the order. Thanks.

jmsibert Loc: Colorado Springs

I like this thread it strikes a chord with me. Like what most of you have said, it's all about knowing how to use what you have. There is no need to spend all kinds of money on a new lens when you do not even know what your current lens can or cannot do. I am a photojournalist for a newspaper and I often run into situations where I do not have time to change a lens since news is a one-time, non-repeatable event that cannot be staged. My advice is, instead of asking, "What is a good walkabout lens for me?", walk about one day at a time with the lenses you have. In days past I shot with an Olympus bridge camera that had the equivalent range of about 14-500 mm. It was great having all that reach but I never got super sharp or clean images except in broad daylight. Even then the long distance shots were hazy and disappointing. Now I use a 28-105 for almost everything - that's just what I have that works.

P.S. I'm young and male so I still carry everything with me even though I probably won't use most of it.

The first two shots were taken with my old Olympus SP-570UZ. The third is a 3-exposure blend, shot with my new Rebel T4i and a 28-105 mm EF USM.

The Sawatch Range in Colorado from 14,197 feet on Mount Yale


Looking west to Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point from 14,042 feet on Mount Lindsey


Pulpit Rock and the Colorado Front Range at 6 am