As do I. Being able to use ISO 1600-3200 with very good results really makes the 17-40 a very viable choice, and I frequently use it on my 7D...well, as frequently as I could have in the few weeks that I've had it.
If you are limiting spending to $1000.00 or so consider a 50mm f/1.4 and an 18-200. I know you said L glass but this combination will give good results with a 50D. If it HAS to be L consider a 16-35 2.8 used and a 70-200 4 also used. Good luck.
John--G wrote:
The 24-105L would probably be your best choice.
I second that. I just made a deal for a used one from here for $850 pp & shipped. It will give you a broad range of view it is a great walk around lens the 24 will be a normal lens on your 1.6 cropped sensor. And the 105 will be 168 so that gives you the range for the field of view. Another great lens for th e1.6 is the 17-55mm efs lens one of the great efs lenses. THe 24-70 is a good choice if you do not need the extra range. Wait some time and the new version may be announced later this month per the rumor mill. THat may make the version one model cheaper on the used market. And even the new ones will drop some price. I use the 70-200 2.8lIS alot myself but I shoot alot of sports and sunset images. MY lens kit includes the 17-55 and the 70-200 both 2.8 IS lenses and I plan on getting the 15mm, 10-22efs, and the 24-70mm as I can afford them. I just trade my 18-55mm kit lens and a 18-200mm lens to help with getting a new case the LowePro Road Runner AW to use for my speedlight kit.
I agree with getting the 17-55f2.8IS for the one lens for general use on the 1.6 factor sensors. I love mine almost as much as my 70-200f2.8LIS and will not gert rid of either anytime soon. Like I said the 3rd lens of my kit is going to be the 24-105f4IS lens it was a toss up between it and the 24-70 as I want both and see where both have their uses. the forth lens will be the 10-22 and I will be happy for a while. I will hold off and grab a 24-70 f2.8IS when it released. and the 15.. for its fisheye effect before that. THat is my buying strategy which is based on similar needs to yours. I do not see any single lens being good for everything that someone wants to shoot, that is why they make the lenses interchangeable. I understand the tight budget but the 17-55mm used is going for less than $900 and the 70-200 f 2.8 goes for $ around 1350 used. The f4 version of the 70-200 is a lot cheaper and with a few more bucks in your budget you could have a used 17-55F2.8IS and a 70-200f4IS both.
Hands down the 24-70L, it has the best I.Q. of the 3 and the fastest, I like image stabilization , but think in this focal range the the 2.8 aperature is more important! And the 24-105 has a lot more distortion.
SAUMBI wrote:
Hands down the 24-70L, it has the best I.Q. of the 3 and the fastest, I like image stabilization , but think in this focal range the the 2.8 aperature is more important! And the 24-105 has a lot more distortion.
