Hasty Decision : 18-50 or newly released 17-70?

Ok, so I've been crunching some numbers. It looks like B&H is definitely the company to order from. The pricing is also pretty close:

A)18-50EX and 70-300 APO - $940.97 w/ taxes and shipping
B)17-70 DC and 70-300 APO $829.90 w/ taxes and shipping

17-70
-closer focusing distance and magnification
-more reach, 50-70mm

18-50
-Constant 2.8
-Highly rated Optics
-Better build

This makes it a really tough decision, any further comments/opinions would be much appreciated. I know I'm being a pain in the....

Regardless of which option you choose you should receive fine results. Flip a coin, buy the lenses and have fun with them.

How'd I know that you'd chime in and say something of that sort.

Your advice is much appreciated. I'm going to sleep on it and hopefully get a few more responses *hint hint*, and I'll most likely place my order after work tomorrow. I'm stoked to say the least!

Yeah will do, hopefully you can handle the suspense! : )

I'm betting that it's a great lens, especially for $400. I bought Sigma's 30mm prime 1.4 and LOVE it! I'm telling you, it really holds it own against Canon's $1200 L version that my buddy owns.

Alright Skippy it's Wednesday morning here in Canada, about 7am for you in California. I'm eagerly awaiting your UPS delivery man.haha

I'd love to have the 30mm prime - that's from Sigma's EX series right? When you let me know about your impressions I'd love to hear how the build quality of the 17-70 stacks up against the EX series.

I've really got to order something, the longer I wait the more lenses I consider!

*Ahem* Skippy, it's 2'ish your time...

Alright, one last bump before I get in trouble with the moderators, any news Skippy?

Just reviewed some of my images from a couple weeks ago, I REALLY need to upgrade from my kit lens. A good walkaround lens is definitely my priority over the telephoto range (though I still plan on getting the 70-300 APO). My kit lens shows alot of distortion at the wide end, horizons are curved and such. Hope the Siggy's fare better in this regards.

So in other words you still haven't ordered anything!

In2Photos,

You'd be 100% correct, except I've added a third walkaround lens into the fold, I just love to complicate decisions... haha

Just got my Sigma 17-70 DC macro today. So far it seems like a really nice lens, much more substantial than the EF-S kit lens for sure. Auto focus is very fast and spot on from what I can tell after only a couple of pics.

Here are a couple samples, straight from camera, just resized. (I only had time for a few tonight, but I'll post more later on if anyone wants em)

Wide open 17mm @ 2.8

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Thanks for the shots Skippy, looks like you got a good one!

Does anyone know it the new sigma 17-70 has full time manual control? Thanks.

No, it does not. But it's still a fine little lens.

That's too bad. Does this mean I must soly reply on the auto focus? I've never used an auto focus SLR (own an ancient Minolta manual). Could anyone explain how to manually focus a Canon 20D or Rebel XT? Thanks!