Decisions,Decisions

[phys]

Hi guy's :), I have been on and off for a while and used to be a member a while ago but lost my password and no longer have that email account!!

Now down to business.
I have recently purchased a 30D :D which i love and also a 50mm 1.8II which i got so i could muck around learning.
Now that i can see the limits of this lens i am looking at a good upgrade.

1. 24-105mm L f/4
2.17-55mm IS USM f/2.8

I have a friend in HK at present and can get a bit cheaper but am concerned about warranty a bit :(
I know both are quite different but still need advice, I will mainly be using it as an every day lens and like to photograph,landscapes, people/portraits and flowers etc but also am into motor sports so reach is important with boats and cars alike.
Both have great image quality but i do not know which to go for?
Anyone have either or both? Good and bads would be appreciated :confused:

Sorry if this makes no sense and also a big HELLO:)

[Nickcanada]

Welcome back!

If it were me I would buy a 17-55mm 2.8 IS. The faster aperture, wider angle, and IS would be more useful to me then the extra reach. If you need something for the longer end have a look at the 55-250mm IS lens that just came out not too long ago.

Good luck!

[michaelb]

Welcome back!

If it were me I would buy a 17-55mm 2.8 IS. The faster aperture, wider angle, and IS would be more useful to me then the extra reach. If you need something for the longer end have a look at the 55-250mm IS lens that just came out not too long ago.
Good luck!

Ditto on all of this.

The 17-55 is pricey considering its build, but its the one to get for a 1.6X crop cam, IMO - optically, its hard to beat; I still miss mine. :(

[adam75south]

17-55mm f/2.8 IS all the way. that thing hardly EVER gets taken off my camera.

[cdifoto]

Just what we need...a phys and a rhys. :eek: :D


On a crop, #2 all the way.

[24Peter]

Well it's definitely apples & oranges here...
If you want to do landscapes, candid/informal people shots in low light and maybe flowers, the 17-55 is clearly the better choice.
If you want to do more formal portraits and low light is not the issue, I'd much prefer the 24-105.
Neither is good for motorsports/boats unless they're close up.

[te1221]

I am in love with my 17-55. I'm saddened by the fact that it's not going to work on the 1D, so that's the only reason I had to get rid of mine :(

[phys]

Shame it does not come with a hood and pouch for the price:(, but sounds like i am getting the 17-55mm then:)
Maybe i will put the savings toward a macro then :D
Any others i should consider looking at?

[nqjudo]

Another vote for the 17-55IS here and I've owned the 24-105. On a crop sensor I found 24 way too long for my purposes. I had to compliment it with the 10-22 and I found myself missing shots because I was changing lenses or was too lazy to do so.

[michaelb]

:)
Maybe i will put the savings toward a macro then :D


If you don't mind another EF-S lens, get the 60mm macro. Even in spite of my recent acquisition of a few L's, the 60 macro is still probably my best lens...one of the best Canon lens for the money, IMO....




f/8...
http://www.brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/331930560_EKGGv-L.jpg