Best Lens for EOS 300d i low light situations

I am shooting with a Canon 300d. I travel a lot and have to shoot mostly handheld and often in low light situations. The standard lens that comes with the 300d is not that good. I want to replace it with a pro or prosumer model. Based on my requirements I would like to know what you recommend as the best lens. It needs to be a zoom lens some where in the range of 18mm - 75mm give or take. Size is also a factor - the smaller the better. My budget is $1000 or under and I would really like to know what is the best in the $200 - $300 range.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

Best lens for low light? 50mm f/1.0. Best in your budget? Maybe 50 f/1.4 or 85 f/1.8 (or both).

Best zoom lens in your budget? Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (excellent alternative to the Canon model).

sharpest.... Tamron 28-75 2.8

I think the 17-50 is sharper than the 28-75. I own the 28-75 and find it a little bit dull at wider apertures. www.the-digital-picture.com agrees with me in their lens performance tests.

If you want something small, you'll have to go with a prime lens. Look Canon's 50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, 28mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8 or Sigma's 30mm f/1.4.

If you want a zoom, you'll have to settle for f/2.8 and either the Tamron 17-50mm or 28-75mm in your price range. You won't be able to get anything fast in the 18-75mm range.

Since you're not happy with the kit lens, I'd upgrade that to the new 18-55mm IS before getting a prime. IS will give you low light capability, and the better optics of the new IS kit will improve all your shots...

kitacanon wrote in post #6174807
Since you're not happy with the kit lens, I'd upgrade that to the new 18-55mm IS before getting a prime. IS will give you low light capability, and the better optics of the new IS kit will improve all your shots...

If you're not shooting action then the new IS kit lens would work great for you at a low price. However, I recommend a good prime like the 85 1.8, 50 1.8, 50 1.4, or 35 f/2. Otherwise, the Tamron 17-50 or Canon 17-55 IS would be the best choices.

bsaber wrote in post #6175186
If you're not shooting action then the new IS kit lens would work great for you at a low price. However, I recommend a good prime like the 85 1.8, 50 1.8, 50 1.4, or 35 f/2. Otherwise, the Tamron 17-50 or Canon 17-55 IS would be the best choices.

I agree...

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is a fantastic lens and will leave you with plenty of money left over for another lens. If you need faster than that at times then you can pick up the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 with the money left over, the 1.8 is pocket change compared to the other lenses. If you need more on the telephoto end and less on the wide then get the 28-75 tamron.