What to go for??????

Wondering if anyone would point me in the right direction please.

I have a few lenses in my collection -

Canon l series 70-200 f4
Canon 50mm f1.8
Canon Macro lens
Canon kit lens 18-55mm

I'd really like to upgrade my kit lens as it comes in the most handy with the 18mm focal length. (as I generally photograph family stuff at close(ish) range).

I've seen a few options out there and was wondering what you guys would recommend.

These are what I've seen so far -

http://www.amazon.co.u​k …Aspherical+%28I​F%29+canon

and

http://www.amazon.co.u​k …S+HSM+%2F+EX+DC​+HSM+canon

There is another version of the sigma lens that has optical stabilisation: http://www.wexphotogra​phic.com …d7f811ecda5&utm​_source=aw

Not having used any of the three mentioned I cannot say which are good or bad. Be sure to check out the lens archive for examples of shots taken with each lens.

Whatever you do decide, be sure to check http://www.cameraprice​buster.com to find the best prices.

Cool, thanks Mike, will give that a look.

What about the new Sigma 18-35mm 1.8?
You did not give a price range.

Little bit out of my Price range Brian.

Got a feeling the wife will make me off load the L lens (worth about £350ish)
to pay for this one (to be fair, the L lens doesn't get a lot of use).

Canon 15-85 very good lens unless you need f/2.8
Canon 17-55 f/2.8 - Best of the Bunch

Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 - 90% as good as the Canon at 60% of the cost

The Tamron nonVC is opticaly superb. It has no stabilization and the AF isn't going to be lightning fast because it is not an ultrasonic version. It is fast and accurate in good light but slows down as the light gets lower.
There are quite a few fans of the the Sigma 17-50 OS. You will get faster focusing and stabilization.