Ideal Lens Setup for ~$900

I'm rethinking my lens setup and need some ideas.

If I were to sell my two current lens right now (17-40, 50mm 1.8 ) and had a clean slate with just my 30D body, what would be an ideal setup for $900ish?

I know--it's very general and varies with specific types of shooting but I'd like to ideally have the walkaround range covered (17-50mm) as well as a fast prime (50mm or less).

The rest is up to you guys so I can have some ideas to think about.

It sounds like you have what you want now. What should be different?

TheHoff wrote in post #4899180
It sounds like you have what you want now. What should be different?

Just second thoughts really.

Depends entirely on what you shoot of course.

But if it were me, and I used a crop body, for 900 it'd probably be:
Tamron 17-50
50 1.4/50 1.8/Sigma 30 1.4
85 1.8/70-300 IS

Or alternatively, throw in one of these somewhere;
Sigma 10-20
EF 28-105
With cash to spare

Pick and choose to fit the budget .

$900? As always, I can almost make the stated budget but then I talk myself into going over.

Anyway, for about $1000:
I might consider the Sigma 30/1.4, canon 85/1.8 and Sigma 17-70. If you never shoot sports or portraits you could dump the 85 and be well within the budget.

Or change the 85 for the 50 you have now which will still do portraits and keep you in budget.

Well, this is what I got for ~$1000.

Tamron 17-50mm ($440)
Canon 70-300mm IS ($550)

Had these lenses for about 2 years. The most common compliment/comment from my pics is that your "pictures are so clear", though many of the comments were from point & shooters.

So I'm hearing Sigma 17-70 and Tamron 17-50. Leaning towards the Sigma for the macro and longer reach.

One thing though: What's the largest aperture at 50mm for the Sigma? And what steps for increasing focal lengths?

sadatk wrote in post #4899431
So I'm hearing Sigma 17-70 and Tamron 17-50. Leaning towards the Sigma for the macro and longer reach.

One thing though: What's the largest aperture at 50mm for the Sigma? And what steps for increasing focal lengths?

Sigma 1770:
17-20mm 2.8
21-24mm 3.2
25-34mm 3.5
35-54mm 4.0
55-70mm 4.5

I would give the nod to the Tamron. At 35mm the Tammy is at f2.8, the Sigma at f4. That's a big difference.

I think I'd stick with what you have, save a bit up, and add something to your kit that allows you to shoot something you can't now. At the bare minimum I'd keep the 17-40 and sell the 50 1.8 and upgrade it to a 50 1.4 or 85 1.8

I'm considering going full frame soon, and i have a tack sharp sigma 17-70 i may be willing to add cash to for your 17-40?

What would you be shooting? Do you need a telephoto?

DVS_WiNdz wrote in post #4899485
What would you be shooting? Do you need a telephoto?

Not really, no.

e r y k wrote in post #4899484
I'm considering going full frame soon, and i have a tack sharp sigma 17-70 i may be willing to add cash to for your 17-40?

Hm. Interesting. I'll let you know.

F/4 at 35 compared to f/2.8 on the Tamron seems big though as LR said. :/

totally understood

do you have a flash? when im shooting indoors, i usually have a flash so the variable apertures dont really bother me much. when im outside, we'll im outside... there is usually enough light!

28 1.8
50 1.4
85 1.8

and keep the 17-40

pourmeaguinness wrote in post #4899737
28 1.8
50 1.4
85 1.8

and keep the 17-40

For $900 total.