Need your idea

i have this T3i kit w/ 55-250.i'm only using this camera for some family occasion mostly indoor or vacation. not a professional photographer here.
my choice:
1. sigma 30mm 1.4
2. canon 17-40L

What about the 17-55 f/2.8 IS that is made specifically for Canon APS-C cameras? It is a little more pricey than the 17-40L but gives you a bit more of a complete coverage and is a fairly fast lens.

I don't have either lens, so I can't speak to their abilities. I have the 24-105 f/4, 70-200 f2.8 IS II, 55-250 (that is a sweet lens and going with the T1i & kit lens for my son's journalism class in school) and the nifty fifty. I know the 17-50 is the 24-105's "little brother" and I absolutely adore my 24-105 - it is almost perfect. A few rare times it isn't quite wide enough lately. I will probably swap in the T1i's kit lens until I can afford the 17-40.

Hmmm. I like Sigma lenses but I might be more inclined to choose the Canon 17-40. You do have quite the dilemma here as far as I can see. Although, the 17-40 will handle the 30mm but that wider aperture is definitely a draw... If I didn't have my 50mm I'd go with the prime. Since you already have the nifty 50 I'd say go with the L Lens.

Also, keep your eye on the Canon 16-35mm 2.8 lens. I sometimes see that slip through on eBay for less than what it's worth.

Thanks for the reply guys. is the 17-40L good on low light?

Well, it's an f4 so it's as good as an f4 could get I suppose. The 30mm 1.4 is better in low light though if that's what you're after.

The 17-55 is f2.8, so it is faster than the 17-40L, do you have a reservation about that lens?

Keyan wrote in post #14005989
The 17-55 is f2.8, so it is faster than the 17-40L, do you have a reservation about that lens?

oh man, that 17-55 is kinda pricey

lightfighter6 wrote in post #14005930
i have this T3i kit w/ 55-250.i'm only using this camera for some family occasion mostly indoor or vacation. not a professional photographer here.
my choice:
1. sigma 30mm 1.4
2. canon 17-40L

Hi there,
And I've not spotted you before, so a belated "welcome", too

Well, as many will tell you, the "what do you want to shoot" comes waaaaaaay before advising about lens choices.

Everyone above has given good advice, but you state you're not a pro, and you use your camera "for some family occasion mostly indoors or vacation".

Does that mean you take photos of your family at home and when on vacation....? Or, do you like to snap away at the places you visit, too....? And what about the interesting strangers you might encounter on vacation...? Or, if you go up into the forests/mountains, might you want to shoot animals/birds....? Or insects, up close...?

Or all the above one day, in the future....?

What's the most important to you?

Tell us that, and we can give much better advice..............

Regards for now,
Simon

EDIT: Baby is crying, and Missus Skygod has a concert tomorrow, so I'm being "requested" to get offline.....
Catch you soon....

lightfighter6 wrote in post #14006024
oh man, that 17-55 is kinda pricey

Well you didn't state a budget and were pricing out a pretty expensive Sigma prime and L glass..so you were somewhat in the neighborhood I got the 17-55 for less than $200 more than the 17-40, which is slower and does not have image stabilization.

I did want to get a sigma 30mm, but after getting the 17-55 I don't think I see the need for one now. The prime is faster and if you get a good copy it's very sharp, but the 17-55 is just a lot more useful, so if you are thinking at some point you might want both the L and the prime this might be cheaper

skygod44 wrote in post #14006026
Well, as many will tell you, the "what do you want to shoot" comes waaaaaaay before advising about lens choices.

+1 to this. Also how much money are you looking to spend? I can't tell from your message & sig if you have the 18-55 in addition to the 55-250? I'll assume you do.

Anyways...I am in much the same boat - not a pro and lots of family pics. Here's my 2 cents on where you may find yourself...

1) If you have not much money to spend and you need versatility: the 18-55 and the 55-250 are great deals for the money. Just buy a flash and you're set.

2) If you have money and you need versatility: sell the 18-55 and look into the Sigma 17-50 or the Canon 17-55 and buy a flash.

3) If you prefer not using a flash, have low light, and don't care about lens swaps: Sigma 30mm 1.4 + Canon 50mm 1.8 + Canon 85mm 1.8? (I would still keep the 55-250 for outdoors and vacation shots). Keep in mind on the 30mm sigma you may have to get it calibrated.

Well, according to the OP he only has 2 choices...

1. sigma 30mm 1.4
2. canon 17-40L

I mentioned the 16-35 because I've seen it go ridiculously cheap on eBay a couple of times. Unfortunately I didn't have the money then to buy it but I saw one go for $400 on eBay once. I wish I would have gotten that one. I would have made do for a while.

Also, looking at his equipment list he shows a 50-250 there. Maybe it's supposed to be 55-250?

this is just a camera for family use, like a normal occasion (b-day, family bbq, normal family gathering) about the budget i'm ready to throw atleast $600.again thanks for the reply.

You know what I would do? Get a good walk around and a flash. The 17-85 plus a flash would be a great option. When you learn to bounce it you will get fantastic results in any lighting. With the pic I have attached the room was actually basically completely dark, just a set of lower wattage eyeball lights over the fire place, but it looks like the entire room was well lit.

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Also if you get one that can do wireless flash with your T3i you can get into some really interesting lighting stuff with off camera lights.