Ahhhh! Which lens???

[JeffreyJim]

I'm fairly new to the whole Digi SLR scene.

Currently shooting with a Rebel XT with the shitty kit lens which we've somehow pulled some pretty good shots from. Looking to step it up a little this year.

I bought the Canon 50mm prime (f1.8) lens as a knock around, put it on and forget it type lens.

I ordered the Canon 70-300mm USM IS lens (500 bucks) before doing my homework. I did shoot with it a little bit and found the results to be okay.

I know there is the sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens I can pick up used for about 600 bucks.

Which am I better off with? The better quality sigma lens without IS or the cheaper canon lens with IS.

We'll use the 50mm prime for storm days and the zoom for sunny days (more or less)

Also looking for some sort of decent wide angle lens. Not sure of what to go with there either.

Shoot primarily skiing, mountain biking and random scenics/hiking/whatever

[dipstik]

Buy this guy's Canon 70-200 f/4: http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139242

IS will not help you shoot skiing or MTB, and the 70-200 f/4 L will probably be a nice improvement in IQ and AF speed over the 70-300.

For future reference, this site is gold for the kind of decisions you are trying to make: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/

[Tippster]

For future reference, this site is gold for the kind of decisions you are trying to make: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/

Great resource! Thanks!

[andrewjesaitis]

I'd go with the sigma. The 2.8 is nice to have so you can shoot in lower light without always shooting wide open.

For a wideangle on a crop sensor you can't beat the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Great lens, super sharp and is reasonably priced.