Your expert recommendation for next lens

15-85 + 430EX flash.

i'd pick up a 17-55 2.8 IS since you have a crop body.

I was more leaning towards Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM as SoCalTiger suggested. Price under $500. The two contenders are 17-55 2.8 IS or Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM. What do you think?

I'd go for the Siggy 17-50mm f/2.8 OS and use whatever is left from your budget on filters, external flashes or other gear. Maybe a Siggy 30mm f1.4 too?

daziguy wrote in post #14931789
I was more leaning towards Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM as SoCalTiger suggested. Price under $500. The two contenders are 17-55 2.8 IS or Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM. What do you think?

I don't see the point of an f2.8 prime- just get an f2.8 zoom

Yeah, Sigma 17-50 seems like a logical choice. Priced $400 less than Canon...

daziguy wrote in post #14932307
Yeah, Sigma 17-50 seems like a logical choice. Priced $400 less than Canon...

That said- and I agree- the next best thing- if you don't have one- is a quality flash like a 430 EX II or a 580 EX II. Take what you save on the 17-50 and put it there- you will not regret it.
For what you want, group shots, I would not suggest a prime- because it's not always possible to back up or move forward..

Tamron 17-50/2.8 is another option you should consider in the suggested budget.

Daizyguy just figure out the range you want to cover. That will narrow it down for you.
I am with Dredaze who suggested not to get the 20 2.8 . Just think about it . If you buy any of the 17-50 or 17- 55 2.8 you have that range covered at 2.8

Go to the lens archive, its the sub section of this one, and take a look at what everyone is suggesting here and YOU decide which lens you like.

Bianchi wrote in post #14933375
Daizyguy just figure out the range you want to cover. That will narrow it down for you.
I am with Dredaze who suggested not to get the 20 2.8 . Just think about it . If you buy any of the 17-50 or 17- 55 2.8 you have that range covered at 2.8

Go to the lens archive, its the sub section of this one, and take a look at what everyone is suggesting here and YOU decide which lens you like.

Thank you all. You truly have made it easy for me to make a decision. This forum and members are an invaluable resource for me.

Bianchi wrote in post #14930860
Remember you have to 1.6 X what ever you buy because of your sensor .

example
15-85 on crop body with what you have is really 24-136

This is absolutely false.

The "crop factor" calculation is ONLY for comparison of the field (angle) of view of a given focal length on two different format cameras. Since the OP only has one camera, there is absolutely no reason to use the "crop factor" calculation for the lenses used on it unless he is comparing focal lengths with another camera for some reason.

The focal length of a lens never changes when it is mounted on different format cameras. Regardless of the lens design (EF-mount or EF-S mount, for example), the focal length of a lens (or focal length range in the case of zoom lenses) is always what's marked on the front of it.

Just go for sigma 17-50
Lot cheaper than 17-55
Equal performance
Comes with a lens case and a lens hood
Just go for it

Giorgos wrote in post #14934883
Just go for sigma 17-50
Lot cheaper than 17-55
Equal performance
Comes with a lens case and a lens hood
Just go for it

Thank you!

daziguy wrote in post #14934899
Thank you!

You are welcome xd
Small tip: if you buy online get it from amazon. In case its back/front focusing they will even pay you the shipping costs back to them. I changed my 17-50 because it was backfocusing and amazon.de paid me the shippung back to them.


George

Giorgos wrote in post #14934964
You are welcome xd
Small tip: if you buy online get it from amazon. In case its back/front focusing they will even pay you the shipping costs back to them. I changed my 17-50 because it was backfocusing and amazon.de paid me the shippung back to them.


George

Good Tip