What would you do?

I just got back from the local Indian Casino. Wife and kids are out of town so thought would have a little R&R. $10 in on a quarter machine I hit a $950 pay off so I cashed in and headed home.

Here's my predicament. Before I went to the casino, I had pre-ordered the new Sigma 17-70 OS, which I was going to compare to my 18-50 macro and either return the 17-70 or sell the 18-50. The 17-70 would have to be top drawer as my 18-50 is crackin sharp.

But now I have a little wiggle room on what to get and I am thinking 15-85. The range would be great and I have wanted this lens since I heard about it but just couldn't justify the expense.

If you are wondering what I shoot, it is simply family and friends kind of stuff and I have my speedlight for indoors. So, what would you do?

I'd get a 24-70L xD

24 on a cropper = no bueno

glad you got out before you put it all back in ... surfing lens is a lifetime novelty, buy 'em all, sell 'em all, and pick and choose what works best

I have done my share of buying/selling. However, over a year ago I scaled back to a 3 lens system which has been effective for my needs.
While I truly like the 18-50 macro, the range can be a bit limiting which is why I am looking at the above mentioned choices.
Hey Kenji! What is your input?

What other lenses do you have? I'd sell the sigma and get the canon 17-55 and 10-22 (or tokina 11-16) if the budget is big enough.
I'd also pick up a prime like the sigma 30 1.4.

My next lens will probably be the canon 85 1.8

Replaces wrote in post #9143531
I'd get a 24-70L xD

+1 Brilliant lens!

Well if you are looking for a walk around lens this is what I think

I ordered a 15-85, sold a couple of lens to fund it, I havent received it yet (I'll be waiting for the brown trick next week)

I had the 17-55 and the range frustrated me a bit, sold it, then, the new Tamron 17-50VC was not an option with the same range and contradictory reports so far, plus I've always thought that f2.8 is not really fast enough

The 15-85 looks like the real walk around option for me, as long as you have a flash with you

I always carry mine with me, so that's is not a problem

The 17-70OS looks like a great inexpensive option (as long as is at least as good and sharp as the original), but the HSM is not the "expensive" HSM and is not FTM, is a bit faster aperture thats a plus and the price point is great (you can get another fast prime with the difference you save).

So I'd go for the 15-85, wide enough, long enough, plenty sharp, USM, FTM, 4 stop IS system..

I think of the 24-70 as a specialty lens, so if you need a specialty lens that would be one to consider

just my 2 cents
Congratulations on your winnings!

no brainer, 15-85 is the dogs danglies, love mine.. I sold a 10-20 siggy and 17-70 siggy, the 15-85 beats them both in iq easilly and I only need 1 lens and get a more usefull focul range, IS, USM and great af speed and its near silent

Even for what you want to use it for , I think you would really miss the 2.8. I know I would.

That's enough for a used 17-55 2.8 IS.

15-85 sounds like it will suit your needs. Oh, and don't forget, save some of those winnings to take the wife and kids out to dinner .

jenningsphoto wrote in post #9143684
I have done my share of buying/selling. However, over a year ago I scaled back to a 3 lens system which has been effective for my needs.
While I truly like the 18-50 macro, the range can be a bit limiting which is why I am looking at the above mentioned choices.
Hey Kenji! What is your input?

Get the 15-85, its my favorite walkaround lens [That I've ever had Yes better than my 24-105 on film] its sharp, its color rendition is VERY nice, its built well, the IS is fantastic, the AF is fantastic...any flaws it has [that show up on test charts] are pretty minimal in reality I've found...

Just to comment on other options thrown out there:

The 24-70 f/2.8L is fantastic, but on a cropper it will probubly leave a little to be desired, also its a little more expensive

I owned the 17-55 and i found the range limiting and the build quality wanting, Good lens, just not really for you from the sounds of it [Since you said the 18-50 is limiting i doubt you'll find the 17-55 one scrap better] this also applies to the new Tamron 17-50 VC [Which isnt so good from what everyone is saying ]

The new 17-70 OS isnt out yet and was just announced, I'm cautious because of its price and what i think is maybe Sigma being a little TOO ambitious in terms of features...keep in mind it could be months before it actually ships [Late Jan-Feburary I'd say at the earliest] also the lack of real HSM is a real downer in it [Gorramit Sigma, make ONE nice normal APS-C lens with ring HSM please] plus if you have a Sigma experience like a lot of people [Not me..] you may end up having to swap like 6 copies before getting a new one...

Thanks for the input everyone. I am leaning to the 15-85. Sound like the most versatile choice.

I've had primes in the past, and I know their advantages, so will pick up a fast 28/30/35 in the future if I feel speed limited. I am hoping that a new 30 1.4 usm (or there abouts) from Canon is on the horizon.