Which lens—advice please!

[cloudpeak]

I'm a DSLR jong and am looking for a good walkabout lens and a macro lens.

Some background. I have a Canon Rebel XTi body, which I bought because I wanted to be able to carry it in a Pelican box in my kayak. I'm aware that the Rebel has a 1.6 lens crop factor and that I should consider that when buying lenses. I'm planning a big raft trip and want to bring home some good photos. BTW, I've been reading some photography books and practicing a lot with the kit lens so that I have a small hope of turning out a few decent photographs from the trip. I'm hoping to acquire the new lenses long enough before I leave so that I can practice with them prior to departure, too. I have a lot to learn in a short period of time.

Currently, I'm debating between a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM for the walkabout lens. Which lens would be better, or should I consider a different lens altogether?

For the macro, I'm considering the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM.

What would experienced folks recommend?

[summit]

Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Or I'll sell you a 17-35mm f/2.8 L USM

A 24-xxx lens makes a poor walk around because you don't have any wide angle on a 1.6x crop body.

[smalls]

tamron 17-50/2.8

love it.

[Tippster]

Def. buy Summit's 17-55 - that'll be a great walk-around-town lens. Get a telephoto zoom later.

[MeatPuppet]

Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Or I'll sell you a 17-35mm f/2.8 L USM

A 24-xxx lens makes a poor walk around because you don't have any wide angle on a 1.6x crop body.

Agreed, 17-xx is the way to go. The 24-70 is a very nice lens. I had one I used on a 10D. But it was also a very frustrating lens on that body. It was just never wide enough.

[grapedrink]

if you want a wide everyday lens get the 17-55, very sharp lens. i have one but will probably switch for a 24-105 because i prefer reach in an everyday walkaround lens and rarely shoot at f2.8 with a lens that short.

[Shepherd Wong]

I personally find the 20-70mm range very boring on a 1.5 crop camera, though I probably just need to practice more with it.
Currently I only really use my 10-20 and 70-200, and have recently discovered how to enjoy a 30mm 1.4 prime.

So to conclude my drunk post last night, maybe consider an ultrawide, a cheap 18-55 kit lens and a longer macro lens.

[cloudpeak]

I've decided to get the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS UMS lens.

A big thank you to everyone who responded to this thread! I appreciate the info.