Like many people who read this forum, I'm about to take the step from 35mm to digital SLR photography! I've chosen to go the route of the Canon 300D, as I already have a few canon lens.

Unfortunately, the 1.6x multiplier means my 28-105 F3.5-4.5 USM lens is no longer a wide angle lens... it also means my 100-300 is now a huge telephoto lens!

So with a budget of A$1000 (preferably less) I would like to replace the 28-105... currently I'm looking at the Canon 17-40L F4 or the Sigma 18-55 F2.8. They're both good lenses but after reading many reviews I'm leaning towards the 17-40 as my walk around lens.

Keeping in mind I mainly will be using the camera travelling, will this range be sufficient? Including the multiplier, I'll have a 27-65 & 160-480... will I miss the gap (65-160) between the lenses?

Thanks for the help,
Rukh