So lets say I'm thinking about splurging on a new lens. Help me decide!

I'd probably sell my 300d, various other lenses that I have but don't use, and I would likely sell my 28-135IS that I got with the 40d if I got the 17-55 or the 24-70.

Here's my dilemna:

-I think I'd like the FE, but I've got the 10-20mm for wide stuff so although they're different I feel like I'm semi-covered.

-I'm leaning towards the 17-55IS over the 24-70 because its cheaper, lighter, and has IS, but it won't work on FF if I decide to go there in a few years. The FF thing isn't much of an issue because I know I can sell it later for probably not a huge loss.

Current kit is in my gear list - basically:
40d, 10-20mm sigma, 28-135IS, 70-200 f/2.8, nifty fifty.

Whatcha think, or are there other suggestions?

well, if you have the 10-20 Id go for the 24-70 if you are selling the 28-135. That way you have pretty much the whole range from 10-200 between your lenses.

yeah, I second the 24-70... you lose 4 mm, which for me would be an important 4 mm to lose, but you gain some range on the other end, and keep your FF options open.

Personally, I LIKE having the 17-20mm overlap with my 10-20 and 17-55, because if I'm only taking one lens with me, the 17-55 usually goes wide enough to make me happy, where 24mm definitely wouldn't. But that's just me.

meh, 55-70 isn't a big enough gap to worry about.

Sell the 28-135, buy the 17-55. It's cheaper, lighter AND has IS... You can easily sell it with little loss if/when you go FF.

As for the FE, see if you can rent/borrow one first. They are specialty lenses for sure. I'd wanted one for 10+ years before I finally did it. Not saying they're not great/fun lenses, just that it's a lot of money for something you might not use a lot.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

meh, 55-70 isn't a big enough gap to worry about.

No, the OTHER gap (20-24mm)--that's a big deal gap for me, and I know Jay likes wide angle, too.

I have never missed the 55-70mm range...

^ I would...

Originally Posted by Markitos

No, the OTHER gap (20-24mm)--that's a big deal gap for me, and I know Jay likes wide angle, too.

I have never missed the 55-70mm range...

Yeah, I agree on the 20-24mm being a big gap.

I don't like missing the 20-28 right now, although I've got my old kit lens that covers it but I usually don't carry it with me.

So what do you all think is a fair price for the 28-135 IS? I need to look what they're going for on POTN I guess. I was thinking around $325-350?

I'll sell my drebel w/kit lens for around $200-250, and whatever else I can dump off, and then go for one of these.

I see them sell for avg. $300.

Jay, drop the 28-135 and pick up a 17-70 Sigma. That's what I'd do.

Originally Posted by Stime187

Jay, drop the 28-135 and pick up a 17-70 Sigma. That's what I'd do.

I had a feeling you'd add that!

I've considered that but I like the IS and the constant 2.8 would be nice on the 17-55. The extra $600 to get there is the biggest downside. That would be another idea though is to pick up a 17-70 for a while and see how I like it before going to the 17-55.

I thought about the 17-70 sigma. If it were a constant aperture I would have bought it in a second. I wanted that constant 2.8 aperture for strobist, natural and low light portrait work.

I'm gonna try to sell off some gear and see what I can come up with money wise. Even the 17-55 shouldn't cost me too much after selling stuff I don't need. I think thats the direction I'll go, I think I want the wider and the IS over the others.