New lens rather than body...Suggestions?

Hi- Currently I have a Rebel XTi with a 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 and a 70-300mm 4-5.6

I was originally planning on upgrading body to a 60d or 7d, (want a higher ISO so not reliant on flash), but first thought I would take a whack at some better glass. I shoot a lot of indoor events (non sports), and shots of pets, family, parties, etc. The lenses I have are pretty good for outdoor static shots. I am looking for something great for inside and for less than about $600. Thinking about a 50mm 1.4 prime but I am wondering about being frustrated with the lack of zoom. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated!

Also, what would be your recommendation for a general walk around for that same $. I do like my 28-135 for lengths but it's just not fast enough for indoors so I am limited.

Thanks!

It's a bit out of your budget range, but the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8IS is a pretty popular lens on a crop body. A 24-70 f/2.8L is also a nice, medium range lens, but it's even more out of your budget, and lacks the IS that the 17-55 has.

For your budget (or pretty close to it), you could get both a 50 f/1.4 and an 85 f/1.8. You could also get a 17-40 f/4L, but it's not that fast.

If you want a zoom, and 55mm is long enough, and you can stretch your budget, I'd say go w/ the 17-55 f/2.8IS.

The 50 1.4 will work however it is generally too long for inside a home. The absolute best lens for what you want to do is the 17-55 F/2.8. However, it is above your stated budget.

There are two Tamran lenses that you should look at. They have a 17-50 and and 28-75, both are 2.8 like the Canon everyone is recommending. I also think that Sigma 30 1.4 or a Canon 28 1.8 would give you what you need inside and is not too long. If you watch the sell forums, these pop up all the time. You can probably get both of them for a bit over your budget if you don't mind used.

For lens upgrade with your budget in mind, the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, with or without Vibration control could fit.
Down the road, if you want to upgrade your glass to the 17-55 f/2.8 IS like Mk1 suggested, upgrading to a larger body will balance the feel of the larger lenses better than XTi.
In that case go for the 7D.
You can not go wrong with upgrading both the body and the lenses.
Deciding which one first is the hard choice.

I'm almost in the same situation with a 40D and a 28-135. I just got a M42 50mm f/1.4 and it's very nice, but there's no question that using a 50mm indoors on a crop is only going to work shooting individual objects in the room.

If I wasn't preparing for FF I'd be all over the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Might be perfect for you.

adamwright wrote in post #11800418
Hi- Currently I have a Rebel XTi with a 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 and a 70-300mm 4-5.6

I was originally planning on upgrading body to a 60d or 7d, (want a higher ISO so not reliant on flash), but first thought I would take a whack at some better glass. I shoot a lot of indoor events (non sports), and shots of pets, family, parties, etc. The lenses I have are pretty good for outdoor static shots. I am looking for something great for inside and for less than about $600. Thinking about a 50mm 1.4 prime but I am wondering about being frustrated with the lack of zoom. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated!

Also, what would be your recommendation for a general walk around for that same $. I do like my 28-135 for lengths but it's just not fast enough for indoors so I am limited.

Thanks!

Lots of good F2.8 zooms - Tamron 17-50 2.8, Sigma 17-70, 18-50, etc.
If you do a lot of indoor pics without a flash why not also consider a Sigma 30mm 1.4

I'd look at the tamron 17-50 non-VC, grab one used for well under $400.

pdrober2 wrote in post #11805418
I'd look at the tamron 17-50 non-VC, grab one used for well under $400.

You can get them for $350ish brand new off reputable ebay sellers, depends if you want grey or not?

Go the 17-50 and a 50 1.8 or 50 1.4 if you can stretch it a little. Get's you both into wide(r) angles, 2.8 zooms and the world of primes.

upgrade to 7D and get the nifty fifty 50 1.8, it works wonder

if you're going to be doing a lot of indoor work, then I'd recommend you getting a flash first before getting a new lens. Set the flash on ETTL, bounce it off the wall, and you're good to go. A 580EXII runs for about $370 used on POTN while a 430EXII is about $250-ish. Both within your budget. Just my $0.02

LittleFish wrote in post #11805504
if you're going to be doing a lot of indoor work, then I'd recommend you getting a flash first before getting a new lens. Set the flash on ETTL, bounce it off the wall, and you're good to go. A 580EXII runs for about $370 used on POTN while a 430EXII is about $250-ish. Both within your budget. Just my $0.02

Great advice also.

A lot of good suggestions here.
I'll suggest the flash and the Tamron 17-50 2.8... ~330-350
Some people have reccomended eBay flashes for 100$ or less that handle E-TTL...
For your budget a used Canon flash as LittleFishreccomends will fit nicely.

I recently added both and have not used my 17-85 since.

Hey, need a 17-85? not just yet.

Enjoy...
Jeff