Which lens? 17-55 or 8-15?

Recently upgraded from a T1i to a 60D and sold it with both of my kit lenses (18-55 and 55-250) and now looking to add a new lens to go with my 60D. Majority of my photos are of drag racing and I do get track side access at the local tracks. While I know I could use both lenses its only in the budget to get one right now and just wanted to see what fellow motorsport photographer would suggest? I did use the 8-15 at a race last yr and loved it but, With me currently only owning a 40 2.8, 85 1.8, and 70-200 f4L is, would you rather have a UWA or a f2.8 zoom like the 17-55 for night photos and as a general walk around lens for in the pits?

For me, super wide angle, and especially fish-eye, is a less-is-more sort of thing. It's sweet to have it at your disposal to instantly create very different looking shots, but a standard zoom would be taking most of my shots. On a crop, 40mm is a pretty long focal length to start at, so I'd personally pick the 17-55.

A third option being to go with a 10-22 and a 15-85 to cover both UWA and Standard zoom just no F2.8 for night racing photos but price wise is right in between the cost of the 8-15 and 17-55?

That would give you the most range for sure, and both are fantastic lenses. But only you know what you'll need for night time. What do you currently do at night races?

17-55 would work well for what you describe.

Nightdiver13 wrote in post #15340281
That would give you the most range for sure, and both are fantastic lenses. But only you know what you'll need for night time. What do you currently do at night races?

One of my primes and both flashes usually cover anything i need for night races. 90% of the race is during the days and usually just the last round or two is at night and the winner circle pics.

.17-55 no question imo

I quite like my Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-VC. Hard to beat on price, nice IQ.

Decided I'm going to order a 10-22 on Friday, then after the holidays I'll start saving for a 17-55.

^ Good moves. You will love both those lenses and they compliment each other well.

I'm a motorsports shooter and my most used lens is a 70-200 f2.8L. Followed closely by a 15-85. But a 10-22 with a 17-55 and a 70-200 of any variety is a great kit for a crop camera and event photography.

Ordered up a refurbed canon 10-22 yesterday on there $125 off discount and got my Christmas bonus today and it was larger then I expected so, Will now be ordering the 17-55 on monday and should have both here before the holiday!

BB70Chevelle wrote in post #15368769
Ordered up a refurbed canon 10-22 yesterday on there $125 off discount and got my Christmas bonus today and it was larger then I expected so, Will now be ordering the 17-55 on monday and should have both here before the holiday!

Awesome, enjoy . Just got the 17-55 a few weeks ago myself and it's astonishingly sharp..