Help a novice choose a lens

Also, since I only have the T1i/500D, would the 24-105 even be worth the money on my crop body? I see a lot people really speak out against putting the 24-105 on a crop but others think all that talk is BS?

If I'm not going to get the most out of the lens, I might as well look at others that may be a better fit for my crop; although that focal range is a big factor for me.

+1 for the 24-105L. I have used it on my 40d and now on my 7d. I agonized over the purchase when i got it and after using it have no regrets. Used ones are available around 800. And you will have your first "L"

sangjiny wrote in post #11463073
Got $1K to spend?

I would go like this.

- Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4
- Canon 85mm f/1.8

That should fall somewhere around $1K...
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ditto.

the closest SINGLE 'do it all lens' on a crop body would have to be the 17-55/2.8

skier860 wrote in post #11476977
+1 for the 24-105L. I have used it on my 40d and now on my 7d. I agonized over the purchase when i got it and after using it have no regrets. Used ones are available around 800. And you will have your first "L"

Red ring, 'L' or not, on a crop body, the 24-105L has nothing on the 17-55/2.8. When you need f/2.8, you need f/2.8. Unless you like to flash the crap out of your subjects for every indoor shot.... I obviously have both, and only use the 24-105L for outdoors...