I'm going ballooning over the Sonoma Valley to San Francisco next week and am at a loss at to which lens to have ready to go on my 5D. Yeah, I can always switch as I go but it would sure be good to have the best/most versatile lens for the situation ready to go on my 5D. Would you think a telephoto zoom would be the way to start out or wide angle?

Please take a look at my signature and let me know what you think. Thanks for any help --

Frag

(For some reason the system isn't letting me update my profile, but I've also rented a 16-35 f/2.8 mkII and 70-200 f/4 IS)

I have only gone up once, but back then I had a Canon A-1 plus Tokina 35-200 and I wanted more. We went up to 5000 feet for a while but that doesn't mean you will, but if it were me & I was taking just one from your list it would be white, second choice the 24-105, but for me it wouldn't suit the way I shoot, but I seem to be a bit odd there.

i've never been ballooning but seeing how you're going up there for the view i would take a wide angle lens to take in the landscape.
if i was going i'd take a wide angle zoom for sure. i don't know what a tele would be used for up there

My one time in a balloon (Serengeti) I had the 28-300 on my 1Ds2 and the 17-40 on my 5D (to get the balloon). From your lineup I would take the 24-105.

I've been leaning toward the 24-105 as it has the most flexibility and great IQ. The others are somewhat specialty lenses and some may have even better IQ (16-35 and 70-200) but the 24-105 probably yields the most bang for the buck for this photo op.

Maybe 16-35 for the setup and then 24-105 for the ride?

I did it once, 10 day ago, having my "light travel kit" with me (i.e. 400D+10-22+ Tam 17-50+70-200/4L IS). It was a crowdy event (8 baloons total) so your millage could vary.

During preparations&start: ~80% of shots done by 10-22, rest by 17-50.

After take-off and on air: ~85% with 70-200, rest with 10-22 (may be 10-15 shots with 17-50). I MISSED MY 100-400L LEFT AT HOME, it would be very instrumental to catch group shots people in other baskets.

Considering you are with FF 5D, I'd recommend:
1) 16-35L
2) 70-200/4L IS
3) 100-400L or EF TCs (1.4x may be even 2x).

SInce the light was good, probably the best kit would be 16-35L+28-300L. Just in theory...

Great input. I can certainly see where the 16-35 will be great for set up and then I'll go with 70-200 for starter and have 24-105 standing by then. Don't think I'll neeed the 100-400 since this is a 1 balloon event...