Lens for 20mm-70mm "hole"

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a lens to fill the gap between my Sigma 10-20mm and Canon 70-200mm f/4L. Price range is $200-$450, and I'll be using the lens for full-body portraiture, landscapes, and general walkaround purposes. Low light capability isn't a huge issue, but is definitely a plus, so I'd definitely prefer something f/2.8 or faster. I currently have the 18-55mm IS, which has been great for an $80 lens, but I'm looking for a little "more" in every criteria -- build quality, sharpness, flare resistance, CA, distortion, etc.

So far I've been considering the 28mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, and Tamron 17-50mm. I've heard mixed reviews on the 28, which may be a little wide anyway. The 50mm seems like an excellent choice, but I'm a little worried about the AF speed and the durability of the AF motor itself. The Tamron gets excellent reviews, but, well...it's a Tamron

Any other suggestions are definitely welcome. Thanks!

--James

the 50mm 1.4 has a better feel than the 1.8, which is basically a toy. I would say a medium range prime would be a nice addition to your lineup... Ive never shot with the 28mm, so I can't comment.

sigma 30 f/1.4 or 50 f/1.4 for primes and Tamron 17-50 for zoom

35mm f/2 would be perfect.

Honestly, for the money a 28-135 would be a good buy and on the lower end of your price range (used) leaving some funds for a decent CPL or grad filter.

30mm or 50mm prime

dont waste time with a zoom here

Have you considered the tamron 28-75 f2.8 instead of the 17-50?

Thanks all! I'll definitely look into the Tamron 28-75, but I'm probably leaning toward the 50mm 1.4.

merlin -- I actually sold my 28-135mm soon after buying the 40D. I just can't deal with the softness, awful flare, and zoom creep/drop of that lens. If I didn't already have the 10-20mm I'd definitely consider the 15-85mm as a compromise between ultrawide reach and versatility. The 35mm scares me...lol