spend my $300

So I am coming into about $300.I need a new weapon but cant decide.I can get a Canon 85 1.8 / Tamron 28-75 2.8 / Sigma 24-70 2.8 .So I am torn,I really really want the 85 1.8 but im not sure it will suit me as much as a standard zoom.Since lightening my lens library I only really have wide stuff.I shoot a lot of street stuff but with spring here I will be doing portrait work as well.So I am torn,versatility or kick ass portrait lens.

Kick it! The 85 1.8. You'll never regret it and it will be the longest of the lenses you have.

I had the same dilema, I ended up getting the 85. You already have a kicka$$ L, get a sweeta$$ prime. Youll love the background blur and sharpness.

85 is my favorite prime. The 70-200 2.8 IS is now my favorite zoom, although I use the 24-70L more. The 17-40L stays in the bag. The 5D, FF, I don't need it much. But that lens is amazing wide.

No brainer!!! You already have wide covered, the 85 1.8 would add a whole other demension to your line up. It runs with the " L "s in quality. Excellent inside sports lens as well.

Well, I'm in the minority so far, but I'd vote for the zoom. You already have the nifty, and I think it would be a more suitable portrait lens for your 30D. If you go for the 85, you'll have quite a gap between it and the 17-40.

Do you plan to have this lens lineup for quite some time or do you plan to add others in the near future? If this is a short term condition, then maybe the 85 would be okay. If not, I'd recommend the Tamron 28-75, which I have owned in the past.

Save your money until you have around $600 bucks and buy a (gently) used 70-200 f4 L. They can be had for between $500-$600 US and it will be the best lens you got, when you get it.

Well im hoping to add the 70-200 2.8 by the end of the summer,depends on how business is.I am looking for a more immediate fix.I have never owned a Tamron so im not sure of the build quality,the sample images look good though.I know the Sigma EX are nicely built (I had the sigma 70-200) but some of the reviews I have seen on it say its not that great.You would, however , be hard pressed to find a bad word about the 85.