Best IQ for the buck

Which wide angle zoom will give me the best IQ for the buck? I'm also interested in fast and accurate AF. I will use this to shoot mostly indoors (at home, church, museums) and some late afternoons outdoors.

35L + foot zoom works best for me indoors, in church and as a walk-about lens on my 20D.

Thanks pturton.

I forgot to mention that it should be around $450-$650 max.
Should have a fixed aperture within its FL.
Wide angle is a must and I would prefer a zoom since I only have 1 zoom lens and have 3 prime lenses already.

I just went through this exact same decision process.

I chose the Tamron. The only thing would be that to *some* the focus sound of the Tamron would be distracting in a church or museum setting. It's in these settings that the Ring USM is a real winner.

I've been shooting everything I can get in front of my lens and I really like the IQ of this lens.

-Fernando

If you get a good copy then it has to be the Sigma 17-70 for me.

I voted for the 17-40 which fits your requirements and also the 24-105 which is really outstanding but doesn't fit your price requirement. But, I couldn't help mentioning it as I love mine. I use mine everytime I use flash or other indoor shots. It's spectacular. Sharp and colorful.

brian_lewis67 wrote in post #2880964
If you get a good copy then it has to be the Sigma 17-70 for me.

I like the range of the 17-70 but I dont like lenses with variable max apertures (I hate "correcting" the exposure setting every time I zoom in or out).

Thanks Brian.

17-70mm or Tamron.

The nifty fifty if we're talking about "bang for the buck".

irish1 wrote in post #2881720
The nifty fifty if we're talking about "bang for the buck".

Thanks Irish. I agree, but I sold mine already and got a 1.4 .

canon 50 f/1.8.....can not be beat for the $$$$

He wants a wide angle zoom. The 50 1.8 solves neither of those.

I'd say you have quite a few nice options in a similar range (both FL and price)

Tamron 17-50
Sigma 24-70
Tokina 16-50

or if you don't mind a slightly slower lens or you'll be commonly using flash, the 17-40L as mentioned is a great lens.

I really don't know how "wide angle" you wanna go. Technically, anything below 35mm is considered wide. That would mean the Tamron 28-75 would be in the running, too. (and also, one of my favorite "cheaper" lenses)

I'm going to wait for a good result and buy until I sell my two sets of tires and rims (18" and 17").

Looks like the 17-40mm is still doable. That would make my 430ex a bit useful. But, i'll wait until i get the funds.

airshaq20 wrote in post #2880750
will use this to shoot mostly indoors (at home, church, museums)

??? The 1740 f4 is leading? This is why most polls are useless. "I have it, so I'll vote for it!"

I would think that the Tokina 12-24mm would fall in that category.