Camera Labs

I would like a little bit faster all-purpose lens for my t2i (550D).

I would consider
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4
EF-S 15-85mm
EF 17-40 L.

What do you guys think?

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Olympus OM-D E-M5, Panasonic GF-3, Canon SX40HS

Panasonic Pancake 14mm f2.5, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4, Olympus Zuiko 75mm f1.8
Panasonic 14-42mm

All good choices but they're quite different. Other than speed (are you referring to how quickly the AF works or the aperture size?), what else are you looking for?

The focal range differs quite a lot between them so the 15-85mm is the closest in terms of coverage though you need a wide aperture above all else, the other three may suit you better.

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

Personally (but that's just me) I'd take the 17-40mm f4L USM - just because I choose all my lenses to fit on a full frame body. It's also weather sealed.

The most versatile one is the 15-85mm - good build quality, good glass and nice zoom range. It just doesn't get as much light as the other lenses.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

This is a hard one. I would be reading reviews on all of the lenses and checking out DXO Mark, even if it's just for the sake/fun of it. The L series is well constructed, the EFS model is a popular decent lens, and there's nothing to say that the Sigmas aren't satisfactory.

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II

Id like to add the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non VC, which I have. It's really sharp (sharper than the 17-70) and many say it's as sharp Canon 17-55 IS (sort of EF-S L lens). It should be sharper than the 15-85 also, though the focal range is really different of course.
Youll have to decide: quality (= less ''zoom'', 17-40/17-50) or more reach.
Good luck!

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

In order to give you a better opinion to suit your needs, I would like to take a moment to ask you some questions first.

Where do you use your current lens the most?
Are you generally wanting to get wider shots or closer shots?

Do you want to get more of a blurry background affect?
Do you want the lens to focus faster?

What is your budget?

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Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes

I use my current lens inside my house the most. Bokeh would be nice but not too important. But I want the fast focus!

budget not too important- i will be able to afford eventually.

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Olympus OM-D E-M5, Panasonic GF-3, Canon SX40HS

Panasonic Pancake 14mm f2.5, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4, Olympus Zuiko 75mm f1.8
Panasonic 14-42mm

In the house generally means wider coverage and needing a lot of light.
Combined with fast focusing, I'm thinking what you want is: EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

However, if you want something that does not zoom, but gives you a lot of bang for the buck, then maybe the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM might interest you as well.
This prime would complement your current zoom nicely, rather than replacing it as your main zoom.

You could try to rent a lens or two to find out which fits your needs the best.

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Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes

from my opinion, ef 15-85 is suitable for shooting inside, that wide end is excelent, and combined with external flash is even better. I never liked 18mm inside (from 18-55) and i dont think 17mm will be enough.

It is true it is not the brightest lens in the list, but i had never problem with 3200 iso and relatively long shutter speeds - without flash.

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I'm new to DSLR's, so please be patient and take my opinions with reserve. Thank you : ) Yes, i am Canon man.
Google + My picasa photos My 500px album
Canon 60D + 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS, Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS II, Canon 430EXII, polarizing filter 72mm,
Canon AT-1, 50mm FD F1.8
Canon A430,