shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Hi all! We're going to Disney World the second week in December, and at first I wasn't planning on taking my DSLR because they can get up and walk off so easily (and not necessarily at the parks either!). My first thought was to just get a decent P&S that I could keep in my pocket, but to get one that I could adjust some manual settings I'd be looking at around $300 I figure. So instead I decided that I could just get a lens that I could just leave on my camera the entire trip for around the same amount, and just make sure my camera doesn't leave my sight. This way I can be building my collection with something that will get more use than a P&S :) Right now I have the 18-55mm and the 55-250mm lenses that came with the camera. The 55-250 is my favorite, but you have to get back so far sometimes to get everything in the picture, even at the 55 length, that I'd like to have something a little shorter. I do like the amount that I can get in the picture with the 18-55, but I prefer the quality of my pics with the 55-250. That being said, I'm thinking something where the shortest length would be maybe 18 or a little longer. It doesn't have to zoom as far as 250 though, I'd be happy with that. I don't have to have to have the Canon brand name (I know several people here use Tamron and Sigma), and I'd like to stay in the $400 or less range. I know everyone says you should master what you have before getting anything else, and I agree, I just don't want to be carrying around a ginormous camera bag and changing lenses every time I turn around. I have a Kodak z990 that could do everything, but I don't like it (even though I plan to take it as a back up or for my hubby!).. LOL! I'm open to all suggestions though, so don't hold back :)
Thanks in advance!!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Take a look at the Tamron 18-270mm, its a fairly good third-party lens on the Canon crop sensor bodies.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I tried a Tamron, or maybe it was Sigma, with that focal range, and had to send it back the same day. Weight and needing a much higher shutter speed for low-light. These might not be issues for you, shall1585; just wanted to mention.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I am not a big fan of them personally, but they are a very popular rental lens in my inventory, I get quite a few requests for renting them so I have two. People seem to like them.

Thunder_o_b Loc: NE Ohio USA

Rent the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L this is an important trip. The quality of the non L zooms is severely lacking.

Me I am a prime lens user…For the most part.

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Any recommendations for a reputable rental company?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

This may be age dependent, but my son went to Six Flags Magic Mountain with his friends and wanted to take our Canon 7D. After a bit of discussion he decided to take a Point-and-Shoot and later said it was a wise choice. Looking back he would not have wanted to carry a heavy camera, but mostly it would have been a problem on the rides. Although I love our DSLR I have to agree.

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

I agree, that was another reason I though about leaving it at home. BUT I don't know that I myself am going to be riding many rides. The trip is mainly for our little girl, who will be 3 in January, so I figure we'll be hitting mostly kiddie rides :)

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

I agree, it's a very good every day, walk around lens.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Think of the shots you will take then, wide angles of her in the park, shots of two to three feet away and close-ups of her in line and on the rides. A nice zoom seems to be in order then, but also consider the light and how you will shoot at night.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

1585, not sure why you can't see it, since it's in your signature.
A little shorter than what your used to, but the Canon EFs 15-85 is one of the best lenses Canon makes. It's on par with the 24-105, but optimized for a crop camera. When you start to get into the better lenses, you start to give up the mega zoom ratio do-it-all lenses. You'll need to learn to re-see your shots.
I rarely use my 70-200. I'm either way under or way over, but maybe that's just me.
Good luck
SS

Edit: sorry, I didn't see you had a $400 limit. The 15-85 is close to $600 as a refurb.
You may want to ignore my advice.
Sorry, I have no other suggestions.
SS

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Right, that was my big line of thinking in wanting a zoom. I was considering the 18-135, as well as a 28-135. I've been looking all day. I'm thinking I MAY go the route of the new Canon SX170, which will give me control of manual settings as well as well as the auto stuff, and then add a 50mm for my DSLR for the parades and such for in the evenings, and take both with me :-D

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I would recommend the 28-135 if you go the DSLR route, but do bring your 50mm for low light. You can always rent a locker to store your gear if you find it tiresome to carry or want to go on rides with your family! The only restriction I could find from the park is the use of tripods that do not fit in a backpack. It should be an amazing time just remember to pop your head up from the camera every now and then to enjoy why you are there and please post some photos here!

shall1585 Loc: Prichard, WV

Thanks for the suggestion, I see your edit about the price, but it's one that I'll seriously consider in the future. It took me a minute to figure out what in the world you were talking about! LOL!! The "1585" in my name used to be the last four numbers of an old phone number I had. At one point I was using AOL and the "shall1585" was a screen name that they recommended where the one I wanted was taken, so I still use it off and on, it's easy to remember.. Nothing to do with photography in my name, I was interested in photography and had a decent camera (that I didn't like!) when I joined UHH, but I didn't know much aside from the fact that I wanted a DSLR that I could use different lenses on and it would be fast enough to keep up with my baby. I had no idea which lenses were used for what though :-D

Wjb49 Loc: Piedmont Area, N. Carolina

I agree with SharpShooter, the Canon EFS 15-85mm is a great lens. I recently bought mine and have found it to be excellent as a "walk-around" lens.

Regarding your $400 limit: I was fortunate to find an excellent copy on eBay for only slightly more than $400.

Have a wonderful trip! :)