general purpose lens?first time buyer

Im looking for a lens that will be fine for most types of photography but im on a budget of £150. Im after something preferably with reasonable zoom.I just got a Canon 400D as an early 16th b-day present and im getting another lens for my birthday.

I Have-
18-55mm Kit Lens
50mm f/1.4


Thanks in advance for the help

I'm not sure about the conversion b/c I'm in the USA, but Sigma 17-70 may be close. It goes from wide to short telephoto and has a close up focusing "macro" as well. If this is over your budget, the kit lens you have is already a decent general purpose lens for the money.

Personally, I would try to save up a little more money and go with the Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS or you could go with the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro now. I do not have either, but I borrow a friends Canon whenever I'm doing outdoor daytime sports for work and it does a bang up job.

Oops: Just re-read the OP topic... I too would go with the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 DC but I personally just purchased the Tameron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] (what a mouthfull) because I plan on purchasing the Canon mentioned above when I get the extra cash.

If you didn't need the wide end so much you could get the Canon 28-105 USM II for £175, you already have the 18-27mm part covered with the kit lens - The 28-105 is a great little lens and goes all the way up to 105mm

Ask for the 28-105 as kevin_c states, and convince them of the advantages and you will pay the extra!

Happy Birthday for when ever it is! Mine is 18th June - Doubt i will get a new lens

Instead of duplicating part of your kit lens' range or replacing it altogether, consider adding more reach instead with a telephoto zoom such as the Sigma 70-300 APO or the bargain SIgma 55-200.