File :-(, x, )
of kit upgrades on the 400D Grar
So I took the plunge and got the Sigma 70-300 APO DG lens and while i found it useful in a handful of times (portraiture on the 70mm end, isolating action shots on the zoomed in end, etc) but I did not have my shit together when we went to the beach with all the bikinis around. I had the crummy 18-55, and left the other lens in the bag at the resthouse one quarter of a mile away.

When I did decide to go bird-watching instead, the 70-300 went to action. Alas, the birds were not as cooperative as I'd hoped, and handholding at 300mm was as jerky as an electrocution. Then group shots were wanted, and i still had the same lens locked in. People grew impatient as I safely tried to change lenses. :(

In the end, no sniping could be made, action shots were wobbly group shots were poor and the trip was made of loss.

TL,DR; Im looking to replace the 18-55. what should it be? the Sigma 24-70 f2 or canon 17-85 f4/5.6?

Pic related, but is not resized.
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 400D DIGITALLens Size70.00 - 300.00 mmFirmware VersionFirmware 1.1.0Owner NameunknownSerial Number1530810317Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:03:17 08:25:05Exposure Time1/160 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/5.6Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length300.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1936Image Height1288RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeAv-PriorityFocus TypeAutoMetering ModeEvaluativeSharpnessUnknownSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeSmallFocus ModeAI FocusDrive ModeSingleFlash ModeOffCompression SettingFineMacro ModeNormalWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed192Camera Actuations-1866399648Color Matrix129
>> Anonymous
50/1.8II and Sigmirror:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fodder/288106773/

you can get away with an F mount Sigmirror with a Fotodiox F2EOS adapter for like $150 USD.
>> Anonymous
budget is $500?

the canon 17-85 will have massive range and IS but poor quality

tamron 17-50 for good speed and quality but it has less range than even your kit, but it's a good range

or you can go balls out with a 24-70 or 24-105

you still need your 70-300 for voyeur bikini shots
>> Anonymous
50mm f/1.8 is great for portraits and detail, not really telephoto enough for birds.

The 18-55mm IS is a nice replacement for the stock 18-55, but won't let you zoom in on birds either. It's great for other stuff though.

17-85 is large and not great for birds either.

55-250 is cheaper than the 17-85 and at 250 will be nice for birds, while also has IS which may help your wobble problem (also it's a less than 300mm which will help).

I'd go for the 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS instead of the 17-85, the two together cost about the same as the 17-85 anyway.
>> Anonymous
he's already got a 70-300 which is better than the 55-250

there's no reason for him to get it
>> Grar
OP here, thanks for your suggestions.
Was looking around and was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Sigma 24-70 f2?
>> Anonymous
24-70 2.8 by the way, they don't make zooms faster than 2.8

and what's with everyone going after it, i guess it's cheap

there's some anon buying it soon so he might post samples

but the quality varies so much with sigma ;_;