Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Good point.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I would suggest the 24-105.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

For years, when I was a poor, underprivileged student, then a poor, young engineer, all of my photography was with a 50mm lens. It worked out pretty well, all things considered.

Two years ago, I bought a 24-120mm f/4 (I shoot Nikon) as an alternative everyday lens for my D500 (DX). It has come to serve practically every need on that camera. I also use it on my D850 as a smaller, lighter weight alternative to the 24-70mm f/2.8. If I were in your shoes, I'd take my 24-120 and make it work. So my recommendation is for your 24-105. Despite what our jaded minds have come to believe, 24mm is actually an extreme wide angle lens. And if you need wider, just shoot multiple images and stitch them together in LightRoom or whatever software you use.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I always travel with the Sony version of the 24-105mm lens. I find that this is the perfect lens for a family trip or for travel in general. In fact I would leave the 16-35mm at home.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Your 24-105L isn't the fastest in the world but still for outdoors or well lit interiors it should be enough. And the 50 mm is small and light + will fit in a pocket

Why only the one lens? None of your lenses are particularly large or heavy and with the camera they should all fit in a smallish over the shoulder bag. I have one that holds a body and three lens that is smaller than some of my wife's purses.

Or keep the camera with one lens around your neck or a carry rig (a mesh vest with camera attachment points would work) and then the other two would fit in a smallish bag or lens pouches on the vest. It doesn't need to be one of the expensive vests, a Chinese knock off will do for one vacation. Or a vest + cargo pants/shorts with pockets large enough to hold a lens.

I am a 75 year old very out of shape fat guy with a bad heel and trick knee on my left leg and my right knee often contemplates joining its buddy at doing tricks - like feeling like it wants to fold at unexpected times. For a trip to the park after water birds I often have a camera with either my 70-300L (and 1.4x) or 100-400L (sometimes with 1.4x) on straps (both have a screw on pistol grip) and a camera bag with my 24-105L, 50 f/1.8 and 14mm f/2.8 ultrawide plus extra batteries and memory cards & small cleaning kit. And to help in the walking department I have a fairly heavy monopod that is either a walking staff or actually a monopod if I unscrew the pistol grip and screw it to the tripod collar of one of the two bigger zooms.

And if your walking problems are bad enough to use a wheel chair on occasion - well let the chair haul all the weight and take everything in a backpack that can hang off the back of the chair. I have seen guys using one as a walker and their camera gear, wife's purse and picnic basket get to ride. Then when stationary they unload the chair and sit down for a while. Maybe you could rent or borrow one while in the UK.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

My last experienced vacation was a month long trip to France, mostly Paris but other rural places visiting friends.

Although I don't shoot mirrorless, I took 2 bodies 5D3 and 7D2, 24-105 f4, 16-35 f2.8, 50 f1.4 and accessories. I used the ff camera almost exclusively and the 24-105 outdoors switching to the 16-35 indoors in churches and other interiors. I never used the 50mm and if I had brought my 24mm TSe instead, it would have been used for a lot of my shooting. Between that revelation and my travel tripod and OCF, I know what I will take from now on.

I didn't carry the complete kit I brought everyday, rather loaded my backpack with one body and the 2 lenses with tripod and flash. I would still pack a back up body because a vacation with a camera breakdown would drive me crazy.

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

Thanks everyone - I enjoyed reading your posts. My wide angle can stay at home for a well earned rest and the 24-105 is now attached and ready to go! (pretty heavy combination with the R I note). Oh and I'm sure the nifty fifty might well be a stowaway...

As always - keep safe

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

24-105

ELNikkor

24-105

Celtis87

I use my 24-120 lens as my “go-to” lens. The others have specific purposes, but vacation shots will be helped by versatility. My vote is for the longer zoom, if there’s only room for one. The 50mm would be worth having for low light situations. My two cents.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

One lens for people, scenery and architecture - the 24-105
I have the Nikon 24-120 f4 as well, and that’s my go-to lens for the same situation.

anotherview Loc: California

RF 24-105 F4. It is a general purpose lens.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Only one lens? I'd take the 24-105; I think it would give you a better range of shooting options.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I agree. Also If one stops functioning you have a spare.