Quote Originally Posted by neuroanatomist View Post
People associate wide angle lenses with landscapes, but many times it's very effective to be able to isolate elements of a landscape. Also, if you've never used an ultrawide lens, they take thought and planning to make the most of them. Just shooting a wide shot to capture the majesty of a scenic vista almost always produces disappointing results that don't measure up to your memory. Instead, have a very close subject in the frame to draw the eye into the image.

I know you asked about lenses, but also be sure you have a decent tripod!
Do you have any tips, tricks or links for a crash course on wide angle shots. The 10-20mm is something I've wanted for a while

Quote Originally Posted by Busted Knuckles View Post
rent buy a 17-40 or a 15-85. I have never wanted for anything wider than the 15.

If wanted something with a faster f-stop I love my 17-55 2.8 on my crop body. It is really only one stop slower than the 50 1.8.

My .0000002
Never wider than15mm? Even taking wide shots like landscapes?

Quote Originally Posted by eldarhau View Post
Peru sounds like lots of jaw dropping sceneries, combined with colorful details around the people, like ponchos and blankets, city details etc. That requires a certain setup. If you add wildlife, the pack grows a lot. Since you donīt mention it, I drop it.
For most people photography is like golf. Everyone is practicing their hundreds of yards drives for hours, but the games are won on the putting greens. In photography that means everyone thinks they need big lenses (your 100-400mm), but 95% of your images will (most likely) be shot at less than 100mm (on an APS-C). If your friend is willing to carry the 100-400, let him do that and concentrate on the stuff below 100mm. I know I would. If you canīt afford to buy the right gear, rent it (How often will you be going to Peru?)
I also agree with neuroanatomist. It is much easier said than done to make spectacular wide angel shots. Get the 10-22 mm in time, with a circular polarizing filter and a tripod, and practice a lot before you go. I would also get the 85mm f1.8. It is (in my view) the best value for money prime carrying Canonīs name (I use the 85mm f1.2L II a lot, but on FF bodies). Portraits, shallow depth of field, sharpness, color, you name it, this lens delivers.

A different alternative you could think of was to get the 24-105 f4.0L IS. Optically this lens outperforms the others you have on your list and it is now sold for very acceptable prices. I use that a lot (but on a FF body). But with your APS-C body, you will need something in the wide angel area. The 10-22mm would solve that. For some shots there is no alternative, but for the wide sceneries, where nothing moves, you can stitch multiple pictures (requires the tripod) and make the need for a true wide angel lens less apparent. That is a fun and creative process (practice before you go), where you have to think before you shoot. It requires a tripod though.

Good luck with your selection! Peru is a great destination (which deserves the right stuff

Eldar
I will only be going once I think! For now anyway. Wow so much information on here so quickly and now I'm even more confused! The 15-85mm and the 17-55mm have always been other possibilities as well but thought for this the 10-20mm would be the best. Not so sure now! So how hard is wide angle shots, worried now if I take this lens I'll just come back with rubbish!

Thanks for all your help