Another lens choice question

I have found that I take many more portrait photos than anything else. I am also trying to get into some sports photography (high school football and baseball). I also tend to be in lower light situations. I thought I had my lens choice figured out and I was set on a 70-200f4L and then I saw the Sigma 70-200 f2.8, which made it confusing again. I am also weighing the purchase of a 17-85 IS. From your actual experiences, what would you choose and why. I am torn between the sigma and the 17-85.

don't see how you can compare, a fast super telephoto versus not so fast but with IS telephoto, on a personal level i'd go for the sigma, everyone says it's almost as good as the canon which is twice the price, your kit lens and nifty will do your portraiture as well as the IS, you've already got a good flash

I believe the 17-85 is EF-S for only few canon bodies

sm1rf wrote in post #2241415
don't see how you can compare, a fast super telephoto versus not so fast but with IS telephoto, on a personal level i'd go for the sigma, everyone says it's almost as good as the canon which is twice the price, your kit lens and nifty will do your portraiture as well as the IS, you've already got a good flash

I am not trying to compare them. Merely trying to make a choice for which might be better for what I am wanting to do. I would love to have all L's but that will come with time and money that is hard to come by. I am leaning towards the sigma as it will do portrait (in the right situations) and sports, but the 17-85 will be limited with sports. I guess I am just trying to get some experiences to justify the money. Thanks for the replies.

hTr wrote in post #2241453
I believe the 17-85 is EF-S for only few canon bodies

What do you mean it only works with a few bodies?

Dave, you are talking about two different lens types - the 70-200 range and the 17-85 range. It will come down to what you plan to shoot and where you feel a limitation right now.

The 17-85 is an EF-S lens like your 18-55 - which means that the lens can only be used on EF-S bodies such as the Rebel range or the 20D/30D range.

If your going to be doing any low light situations at all save up and get a 2.8 L lens and you will not regret it!

For what you're wanting to do, the Sigma 70-200 would be a good choice. I use the one that belongs to our school for football, and have been very satisfied with it for action and sideline shots. I'm sure it would also do a good job with portraits, as I use the Canon 70-200 f/4 which yields similar results.

I have the 70-200L f/2.8. I love this lens for portraits and is great for low light sports. I vote for the sigma 70-200.

The ef-s lenses are for 1.6 crop factor cameras. The XT, XTI, 20d, and 30d are these crop factors. These lenses will not work on full frame cameras.

Thanks for the replies. I am definitely settled on the sigma. I think it will allow me to grow and learn the most as my other lens will cover the portrait range for now. Thanks for the explaination of the ef-s thing.