$700 to spend. Help a guy out!

I recently sold some things and made around seven hundred dollars that I would like to use on a new lens or two. I have a Canon XSI with the kit lens, the 55-250 IS and the 50mm 1.8 mk1. I also have some cheap macro tubes if that comes into play.
What would you want given the lenses I already have? I am torn between wanting a macro, wide angle and a portrait lens. I am thinking Canon 100mm 2.8 macro, Canon 85mm 1.8, the Sigma 30, or the Tokina 11-16 2.8.
It would be ideal if I could get one lens on the list and a cheap alternative to another to come in around 7-800 total. My brain hurts from looking at sample pics and reading reviews. Please help point me in the right direction!

IMHO: I'd opt for a good all/walk around zoom on your Canon crop/1.6 body. I'd suggest the Canon EF-S 15-85 USM IS


Another option: You could pick also up a used Canon EF-S 17-85mm USM IS & that may leave you enough funds for a used Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM as well

Your 50 1.8 is a fine portrait lens on the XSi, so you should be set already, unless you're looking for wider or tighter portraits?

I wouldn't bother replacing the kit lens just yet because the 18-55 IS is a very decent lens, and you want to explore other areas like macro and UWA, so decide which you want most, then choose the lens accordingly. We can't choose for you.

Sigma 30mm will be my pick for portraits. I like it better than the 50mm f/1.8, coz you don't have to walk far away from the object to capture more into your photo.

tokina 11-16mm is great for wide angle landscape, especially with its f/2.8. Indoor use is not a problem too~!

Walk around lens/upgrade from the kit lens: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 non VC version.

100 macro for macro and portrait, or buy Tokina 11-16 for wide angle. Your call, which one is your priority?

I like suggestions for the Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 and the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. 11-16mm will be great for landscape and UWA indoors or out. The 15-85mm is a really nice walk around for your camera and covers focal lengths from pretty wide through the portrait ranges. The 15-85mm will need light so indoors you'll need a flash or other lighting.

Only you can assess your priorities and decide which lens you'll buy next (since you'll eventually buy them all :- )

since you have no fast lens i'd say get a sigma 17-50 2.8 w/ stabilization. i don't think you can find a 17-55 for that price but i think the sigma falls in that range. that should cover wide to some portraits. and then sell the kit lens off after and buy a nice b+w mrc uv filter.

nikesupremedunk wrote in post #12648663
since you have no fast lens i'd say get a sigma 17-50 2.8 w/ stabilization. i don't think you can find a 17-55 for that price but i think the sigma falls in that range. that should cover wide to some portraits. and then sell the kit lens off after and buy a nice b+w mrc uv filter.

The Tamron 17-50 2.8 or Sigma 17-50 2.8 is a good "faster" alternative to the 18-55IS. But if you're interested in macro's then a 1:1 macro lens like the Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro or Canon 100mm 2.8 is also good

nikesupremedunk wrote in post #12648663
since you have no fast lens

I didn't realise f1.8 was not considered fast.

I would recommend saving a little more and get the Sigma 85mm 1.4 or the Sigma 50mm 1.4.

KY707 wrote in post #12648439
100 macro for macro and portrait, or buy Tokina 11-16 for wide angle. Your call, which one is your priority?

Yep, one of these two, depending on which you think you'll use more.