Help with decision on kit lens replacement.

I sold my 28-135mm kit lens that came with my 40D. I have the two following choices for replacement lens.

17-40mm + 430EX flash (lots of dough)

or

24-60 Sigma (little dough)


Also, is the shutter on the 40D replaceable when it's broken?

Why did you sell the 28-135? Did you need wider, or did you want higher quality?

If you wanted wider and higher quality try the 17-55 F2.8 IS. It's $1K compared with $600 for the 17-40, but you gain one stop and IS. Another option is the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 or the Sigma 18-50 f2.8. The lenses are compared here.

The 40D shutter is replaceable, but by the time you wear it out you'll probably want a new camera, unless you take a heck of a lot of photos.

I can recommend the Sigma 17-70 2.8/4.5, although i've only had it for about 2 weeks but i am happy with the way it performs and image quality so far.

With respect, that seems like an odd pair of choices to have to choose from: a very good lens and a flash, versus a relatively cheap 3rd party lens.

Unless there are some constraints that you haven't mentioned, I think the choice is obvious: the 17-40/430EX combination.

Are you open to other suggestions? Do you have a budget in mind? What sort of photography do you do, or wish to do?

24-105f4LIS

I am really looking for an all around combination.

The reason for the odd choices I might be able to justify...

With the 17-40 and flash, I will be forced to learn to shoot with flash indoor (always afraid of doing so). The 17-40 is proven lens so to me it is future proof. The combo will give me a good walk-around solution on a 40D. The flash is necessary as f/4 is a bit too slow.

Sigma 24-60... well, not many detailed reviews of the lens but have heard good things about the price/quality at f/2.8. However, I doubt the lens will hold up against the 17-40mm so when I out grow the lens I will have to get another one.

Decisions, decisions...

xarqi wrote in post #5998468
With respect, that seems like an odd pair of choices to have to choose from: a very good lens and a flash, versus a relatively cheap 3rd party lens.

Unless there are some constraints that you haven't mentioned, I think the choice is obvious: the 17-40/430EX combination.

Are you open to other suggestions? Do you have a budget in mind? What sort of photography do you do, or wish to do?