Gap in focal range - lens decision

[rukh]

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

[Trevor Ash]

Hiya,

Here's what I'd do. I'd buy the 17-40 like you mentioned and also pick up one of Canon's 50mm prime lenses (probably the f/1.8 one). You'll find the pairing of those two great for travel. With the 50mm being so small and light and the 17-40 giving you the wide angle you seek. The 50mm also plugs the gap between the ranges you mentioned but honestly it's not that big of a deal to have a gap like that.

These two are well within your price range.

The 17-40 is a heavy beast....I hope you're already aware of that!

[rukh]

I was worried about the weight and worried over the distortion when taking people shots... also taking into account the price difference, I've just asked a friend in Hong Kong to try and buy me a Sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX lens. I hope the people in the forum at DP review knew what they were talking about when they said the Sigma was a good lens!

If he can't get it, I'll go the 17-40mm L option with the 50mm prime - which would be annoying weight-wise, but I'd love to have an excuse to buy those lenses :P

Cheers,
Rukh