Lense advise needed

My brother in law is heading over to NY (from London) in a few days and has asked if I want anything. I'm thinking of taking up this opportunity to get a lense to accompany my current setup but one which would also be useful for me (i don't just want it for the sake of adding another lense)

Currently i have;

Canon EF-S 18-55 II USM f4-5.6
Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Sigma 50mm Macro f2.8

The Canon came part of the 350D kit, and the two Sigma lenses i bought with my EOS3.

With a budget of around $350 what do you think i should ask for? Something to replace the Canon with a longer range or a Macro with a focal range?

Your advice would be appreciated, and also if you could point me to the best place in NY to purchase it from. I should add at the moment i'm going through a portrait phase as I watch my two daughters grow, so my main interest would be photographing people.

The other option of course is to hold on and save up for something better by putting in more money

Many thanks in advance.

Two schools of thought here. One, the 50mm 1.8 at only $70 US, its a steal, perfect for portraits. One A, the 50mm 1.4, excellent lens, better build quality and one stop more than the 1.8. Both excellent for portraits. Two, the 85 1.8, a little more focal length, but great for portraits as well.

50mm 1.8 $70 US
50mm 1.4 $350 US
85mm 1.8 $350 US

Any of those for your purposes would be great.

Many thanks. I see from your sig that you own lense 1 & 3. I'm thinking if i got for lense 1 i might treat myself to the Battery grip as well. I knew my shopping list would expand

Most people will get very good all round use from one of the decent standard zooms. There are two close to your budget: Sigma 24-70 2.8 and Tamron 28-75 2.8. Both will do fine portraits. 2.8 will be fine for many situations.

Yeah, good suggestions condyk, I was just thinking from more of an indoors position, the low light thing, ya know ?

Your Sigma Macro is pretty fast at 2.8 and the focal length (equivalent to 80 on a full frame) is ideal for portraits IMO. Have you tried that? My EF-S Macro 60mm f2.8 does great portraits.

Hi Mike, I actually love my Sigma Macro and you're right the 2.8 does work well. Sometimes i guess i wonder if i'm missing out on something.

Since my original post and after Bass mentioned the $70 50mm 1.8 i've decided to treat myself to a Battery Grip along with the lense and by stretching my budget slightly i'm also toying with the idea of the ST-E2 transmitter to allow for complete off camera flash.

The prices in the states compared to this side of the pond are too good to miss

madferrit wrote:
The prices in the states compared to this side of the pond are too good to miss

Only if you forget the tax you'll pay in your chosen NY store (B&H is definately an experience worth having!) and then smuggle your booty in through customs ...