i'm in a lens pickle

Since i'm moving out of the house i no longer have the privilege of using my dads nice lenses and camera so i'm on the market again for some lenses.

I just bought a 30d, saving up to buy a 70-200f4 IS, and I am looking at getting either the tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 for $300, the tamron 17-50 f2.8 for $450, or spend a bit more for the canon 17-40L. I was weary at first to get a 3rd party lens but i've read nothing but great reviews for both of those tamron lenses. I've used my dads 17-40L for the past year and it has been great, but for the extra 200-300 dollars i'd rather get a 50mm 1.4 prime.

so what do you recommend I do? stay with canon's L glass or get a great and faster tamron lens and 50mm 1.4 combo?

I'm extremely happy with my 17-35 but have heard nothing but good things about the Tamron 17-50 as well.

But you have to ask yourself if you're going to stick with a 1.6X body because the 17-50 will not work properly with any 1 series or 5D. Other then that you've got constant f2.8 and more range then the other 2, it's a no brainer to me.

Anyhow here's a shot from the 17-35 @17mm. Some barrel distortion but not to bad. You'd see a little less on the 30D with it's 1.6X sensor.

i went with the 70-200 f4 IS and the 24-70 f2.8 and it is a great combo.. had a 17-40 but didnt have the reach...

i have seen pics with that tamaron 17-35 and that is a sweet lens and a kicken deal...

thanks for the input, i was already leaning towards the 17-50 for the constant aperture and extra reach already, but considered the 17-35 to save some money and possibly get a 50 1.4 as well.

so now i basically have to decide between canons 17-40L and the tamron 17-50, Is the canon worth the extra money?

Probably not on a crop sensor, remember the 17-40 is designed to work on FF bodies as well as 1.3 & 1.6X, it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to build great lenses that work only on smaller sensors (the Nikon 18-200VR comes to mind, it would be tough to make a lens with that range look that good on a FF).

From everything I've read and seen the Tamron is superior and can hang with the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS efs which is razor sharp as well.

Both kick butt on the 17-40 and give you constant f2.8 to boot!

Do you have a 50 f1.8? give it a try before you drop all that money on a 50 f1.4, they are both soft wide open anyway.

Rich, thanks so much for the advice, i've decided to go with the tamron 17-50 and the 50 1.8.

now i just have to go work my ass off the next couple weeks to pay for the 70-200f4L IS and the tamron