anotherview Loc: California

Canon EF-S 17-85mm lens.

Review: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/17-85-is.htm

Refurbished: https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-17-85mm-f-4-5-6-is-usm-refurbished-lens

New: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351548-USA/Canon_9517A002BA_EF_S_17_85mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html?sts=hist-pi

I own and use this lens with very good results.

So I can recommend it.

Bison Bud

At least to me the wide end is as important as the telephoto capacity on a "walkaround" type zoom lens, maybe more. I have found that 24 mm on the wide end, on a crop sensor camera, is just not wide enough and 18 mm is better, but still not quite where I'd like it to be. Therefore, I recommend finding the lowest wide angle available, then decide on how far out the telephoto needs to go keeping in mind that the longer it gets, the bigger the lens is going to be. For me something around 16mm to 70mm or maybe out to 135 or 200mm would make a fine walk around combination and there should be something available along those lines from most lens manufacturers, I know there's several options that start at 18mm to fit most cameras. The other real consideration would be how fast a lens you really need, but again keep in mind that the lower the F-stop capability, the higher the price in going to be. In any case, there are compromises to be made for the convenience of a walkaround zoom lens and it's up to each of us to decide just what is good enough for the photography we normally do. If highest quality is a real concern then a nice variety of prime lenses is the best overall solution and always will be. Good luck and good shooting to all.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

A very nice all around lens for the crop sensor is the 18-135 USM f 3.5-5.6 for under 600. This gives you an effective range of 28.8 to 216MM. when I was shooting a crop sensor 70D this is what I had on the camera most of the time, and it is my wife's lens of choice for the t5i. These lens are sharp, fairly compact and light.

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

I use a Canon 18-135 lens and it covers all my needs. Keep in mind that this is mounted on a Canon 80D which has an APS sensor so the equivalent 35mm range is 28-216 which is quite large.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I just purchased the Tamron 18-400 to use with my D500. Have not tried it out yet. will do tomorrow

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I'd bite the bullet and go with two lenses. Since you have a crop sensor, I think an 18-200 and a 10-20 would cover most everything. Put the case for the tele on your belt to store the unused one. A little planning ahead could minimize lens changes. Have fun shooting.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

This could be a good choice if you MUST have only one lens. It is compatible with the Tamron Tap-In, which would allow you to set some custom focus limits, especially useful if you want to shift from close focusing to BIF focusing on the fly.

double g Loc: Oklahoma

I too shoot Canon. If I could only have one lens on a trip it would be my Canon 18-135 mm. I think it is the most versital lens. The only thing that would make it better is if it came in an f2.8.

EdU239 Loc: The Northeast

I also have an 80D and for a single lens I would recommend the EF-S 18-135 USM or the EF-S 15-85, depending on whether the 15 mm wide angle or 135 mm telephoto is better for your needs. They both produce very good pictures. My impression is that the 15-85 is slightly better optically, but I like having the extra reach of the 18-135 if I’m only carrying one lens.

I would add the EF-S 24mm pancake and consider the 10-18 IS wide angle. The 24mm is inexpensive, pocketable, unobtrusive, virtually weightless, and it takes great photos. The 10-18 IS is light and of course gives you the wider angles. In the US the 15-85 is about $800, the 18-135 about $600, the 24mm $150 and the 10-18 a little under $300.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Since the OP is looking for a single lens for someone "...currently living in Peru where there are endless photographic opportunities." A lens that only goes to 135mm is probably not going to do the trick. And (obviously) three lenses is not going to be a single lens.

art pear Loc: North Dakota

get a 24-70 2.8

fotobyferg

I just got back from a trip where I brought three lenses (not a wildlife trip this time, so left the big lens at home). For the first time in my relatively frequent travel experience I found my Tamron 18-400 was all I really needed....which was a pleasant surprise.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I just listened to an old Improve Photography podcast in which the guest hiked Idaho's Centennial Trail (1000 miles long). He said he brought his Tamron (for Canon) 28-300 zoom and it did him well. He said that he lost a bit in image quality but the lens was more than adequate.

SierraP Loc: Eastern Sierras

Go for the Sigma 18-250, it is light and small and you will seldom wish for a longer lens.

EdU239 Loc: The Northeast

You may well be correct on the first point and are obviously correct on the second. On the first, I was making the implicit assumptions that for a general purpose lens he would want 15-18 mm at the wide end and the widest acceptable zoom range/image quality trade-off. The consensus on the latter seems to be 18-135, and I happen to be familiar with the 18-135 lens I suggested. Of course, my assumptions could be either right or wrong.

Mention of the other lenses was possibly useful, probably irrelevant and in my view harmless.