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Will be heading to Disneyland with the family next week and will be trying out the 60D. I have the 18-135mm IS lens as well as the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens.

Since you all have much more knowledge about this photography hobby than I do, would you think that the 18-135mm would be sufficient or should I bring both?

Seems like the 18-135mm would be a good general lens to use, but thought I would get some input from the pros. Not thinking I will be taking any distance shots of Mickey, but I suppose you never know.

Thanks as always for your time!

Your question is like "should i eat chocolate or strawberry ice-cream?" Bring both and see which one you like. If you are shooting subject over 100feet away you could use the 70-300.

I couldn't agree more and you don't need a pro's advice. There's a bit of an overlap between the two lenses in terms of focal length but which one you'll need more depends entirely on how far away from or close you are to the subject. The 70-300mm will be hopeless for wider angle shots whereas the 18-135mm will be less than ideal when shooting from more than 30 or 40 metres away. Is it not practical to take both as S Popovski suggested?

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

I don't think that this is a photography question as much as it is a family management issue.

Are you going to be allowed to carry multiple lenses and stop to change lens? Or will you barely have time to stop to take some photos?

If you can only take one lens, take the 18-135.

Now that the Skyway is gone, the only two attractions I can think of off the top of my head where a 200-300mm focal length would be useful are the rockets in Tomorrowland and the riverboat in Frontierland. Personally, given how many indoor and night attractions there are, I would opt for a fast prime--e.g. 50mm or 85mm f1.8--instead of a super-telephoto. (A fast prime would also be easier to carry around with you all day.) Especially since flash photography is technically prohibited. (Although there are always a bunch of clueless point-and-shoot users taking flash pics of the fireworks, Electric Light parade, or inside the Haunted Mansion, etc.)

Enjoy your trip - Mark

I think S Popovski nailed it right, it's really a question of preference. Whenever I'm anywhere, I almost always find a good reason to shoot at 300mm. In fact, I'm looking at my Lightroom library, and out of about 8700 pictures taken with my T2i, 3200 were taken with my 75-300 and then 70-300 lens. 3111 were taken with my 50mm, and finally 2223 with my 18-55. That's for all-time.

Since I bought my Tamron 70-300, this month I shot 1300 shots with that range, 32 with my 50mm f/1.8, and 154 with my 18-55.

So for me, if I were to take one single lens, it would be my Tamron 70-300. If I were to take a 2nd lens, it would be my 50mm f/1.8 for interior shots and night shots. If I were bringing my entire camera bag, with Zoom H4n, SM58 mic, tripod, etc, THEN I would bring my 18-55 along.

But that's just me, I'm really not a wide-angle user. Quite frankly if I had a 800mm lens, I'd probably take over 50% of my photos with it.

Some other people would be 100% happy shooting with a 30mm prime. Some swear by their 11-16mm, it all depends what kind of shots inspire you.

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Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Canon S90
Lenses: Tamron: SP70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, Canon: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III, and EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Retired camera: Fujifilm Finepix s700

Depends entirely upon if you're wanting to take family photos or photos of "stuff" while you're there.

I spent a day at Disney World in Florida at the end of April and I kept my 18-55 on my XSi the whole time. You can't fit the whole castle in a shot close-in with a 70mm focal length My vacation was also spent along the beach in St. Petersburg about two miles south of a seabird sanctuary so my girlfriend's 55-250 got a workout then, but wildlife was the only reason I used that lens.

All that said, having a larger focal length range in one lens while on a vacation is highly desireable and I wish I'd had something like the 18-135. I'd definitely suggest that lens if you had to pick one and only one

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Canon EOS 5D MkII | Canon EOS 7D | Canon Digital Rebel XSi | EF 35mm f/1.4L | EF 50mm f/1.8 II | EF 85mm f/1.8 | EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | EF 135mm f/2L | EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS | 580EX II | LumoPro LP-120

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Thank you everyone for taking the time...looking back, I really did ask a question with no real answer...kinda like should I buy a Chevy or a Ford but never said anything about how the vehicle would be used.

I think I really need to increase my knowledge in regards to subject distance and lens size...maybe that should have been my question.

Most of my pictures will likely be taken of the family and friends with maybe some of the attractions.

I just picked up a Tamrac Evolution 8 backpack so I will be bringing both lenses.

Thanks again everyone for your input and not whipping me, lol

Yes definitely take both. I suspect you will mostly use the 18-135mm On the first day you will find out what lens you are using and then you can always leave the other one behind on others days if you want to save weight!

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Thanks my friend, that is exactly the plan.