17-55mm or 30mm 1.4, 60mm macro, 50mm 1.8 and 18-55mm IS?

I haven't seen this question asked before. Would you rather have a Canon 17-55mm or an ef-s 60mm macro, Sigma 30mm 1.4, 18-55mm IS and a 50mm 1.8? (For a crop camera, of course) Together, these four lenses cost about the same as the 17-55mm.

17-55mm pros:

One lens-no switching for this range
Great IQ

4 lens set pros:

Macro ability
Lower light ability (for moving subjects)
Possibly better IQ with 60mm and 30mm
4 Different lens characteristics
Lighter setup when choosing just one or probably even two lenses


I have found the 18-55mm IS a great little lens when paired with a 580exii. I am loving my new 60mm macro. I'm planning to get a Sigma 30mm soon or sell everything for the 17-55mm. Right now I'm mostly taking pictures of our 8 month old daughter, but I'm also doing some landscapes/cityscapes and party pictures. But I was wondering which choice you would make based on the type of shots you take.

i'll definitely take the latter.

you get much more shooting options.

I'd take option three: 28 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8 or the 17-55 and build up from there.

Unless you shoot macro extensively, you might be better off just using extension tubes.

I would get a standard zoom (18-55 IS or Tamron 17-50), Sigma 30, and either the 60 macro or extension tubes. I'd wait on the 50 until you know you'll use that focal length.

I'm working backwards to your idea. I got the 17-55mm first and am now going back through 50mm 1.8 and 30mm 1.4.

Tamron 17-50, canon 50 f/1.8, extension tubes
Even more cheap.

Note:
If you want you could add even a Canon 18-55mm IS for the IS despite is less bright.

I would advise strongly against using extension tubes. Keep your 60 Macro. With tubes, you have to know exactly how you want to frame the shot and you're very limited. If you attached a set of tubes and turns out you didn't nail the framing, you have to start over with the detaching and reattaching and it becomes pretty painful. And then you have just a few options.

I'd get the 28 1.8 and 85 1.8 instead of the 30 1.4 and 50 1.8. Probably drop the macro as well for the time being and get tubes. (well that is my plan anyway with my setup, just that I'll also have the 50).

I'd go for 30 1.4 + 60mm macro and maybe something UWA, like the 11-16, 10-22, 12-24 or 10-20.

I'd skip the 50 if you have 30 and 60. I think it overlaps too much... The sigma 30mm 1.5 crushes the 50 for IQ and low light AF. The 60 is a nice portrait lens too.

For 80% of my shots I use the 17-55 f/2.8, it's a superb lens and tack sharp at that. For fun I break out the 30 f/1.4 or the 85 f/1.8. If I had to choose, I would buy the 17-55 and over time buy some primes for fun (which is what I did). Everyone will tell you the 17-55 is one of the best multipurpose zoom lenses for the 1.6 crop cameras.