My choice is a Tamron 16-300 F3.5-6.3. My canon has an APS sensor giving me a little more than 24-450mm. Takes great pictures. Only weighs 19oz.

OK I have the 16-300 Tamron lens and love it. However, we all know, or should by this time, that photography, as with a lot of things in life, is a compromise.

What I love about the lens is its versatility and light weight when I travel. I get very credible photos with minimum effort.

Are the photos perfect? Probably not at the long end without a tripod (because I'm travelling light). So choose what it is you're really looking for: Fine art photography or a lens you can pretty much take anywhere and will occasionally give you a fine art photograph.

Simple.

Makes sense. Thanks for the tip

I have both the SL1 and the Sony RX100 II. They make a great camera stable. Have also aquired the Tamron16-300 mm lens which gives me an equivalent 24-450 mm range. For a trip like Italy I'd take the SL1 and Tamron combo for flexibility in composition and range. I'd invest in a spare battery. A 16GB Sandisk card gives me 634 shots in RAW (my preference) and 2177 L JPGs. The Sony RX100 II also takes great photos (RAW and JPG) and is a true pocket camera although I carry it, a spare battery and an SD card in a tiny bag. Enjoy your trip!

So where do you put the Starbucks?

Just had an expeience Christmas night I thought I'd pass on. While loading the car with gifts etc., I had my Sony RX 100 in my hand in a small camera bag. It got in the way so I set it on top of my car for a moment. When I got home across town I realized that I had left the camera on top of the car. My Grandson's comment when he found it was: "Sorry Gran'pa it's not in great shape". That turned out to be an understatement, it was in hundreds of pieces, apparently run over by a Hummer. Did salvage the SD card and some Christmas photos.

So here's the first "Don't" on my list: 1. Don't EVER put your camera on top of the car. Can anyoone add to the list?

Have had a chance to play with the 16-300 and it is great fun. Took a few 16mm shots of the wetlands back to back with 300mm shots of birds in flight. caught a Pelican in a dive that turned out to be one of the best shots of that bird I've ever taken. Just plain fun!

Thanks for the heads up

Thanks Imagemeister. Have to wear my glasses when shooting but the chin brace looks like it could be very helpful.

I actually have Essentil Tremor which is a hereditary ailment that causes muscles to shake especially when under tension. I've been using Canon and Tamron image stabilized lenses for years. Shoot mainly hand held or with a monopod because i love to shoot birds in our local wetlands. I bought a Canon Rebel SL1 which is the smallest and lightest true SLR and recently paired it with a Tamron 16-300 VC lens. That gives me roughly 24-450 with the APC sensor. Rig weighs 2lbs 1 oz. Love it! Comments about holding the camera are right on target. Relax and squeeze that shutter button.

Thanks Bob. Was going to ask about the 16-300 Tamron but you beat me to it. Have a 70-300mm Tamron on a Canon Rebel S and it is wonderful. the 16 of course provides a single lens capability that will be very helpful.

Been walking the wetlands almost every day for exercise. Sometimes take a camera. I'm not a bird expert but almost every day something catches my eye. The other day 5 White Pelicans were "fishing" around the bridge.It was fun to watch. At least 3 times they flew directly overhead. Great view of a great bird. I'm going to take my camera more often.

Great story! Thanks

Hi All,
Just recently moved here (again) and i'm remembering what a great place this is for living and photography. The Bolsa Chica wetlands are incredible as are sunsets and general beach and ocean photography.
Anyway, this is my first experience with any kind of forum. I couldn't resist. This looks like a great community of photo enthusiasts.
So here I am.
"Jim Kresge"