Lens issues; what replacement options do I have?

[Ewinter]

So a while ago I bought a sigma 24-60 2.8, for about £150. It's never been hugely sharp, but it let me down massively at a wedding recently. I ran it through a moire based AF test and it's all over the place.
Long story short, it doesn't focus consistently across the  zoom (not so much a problem) nor consistently when you are closer/further away from a subject. That's a huge problem; I can't ask everything I take pictures of to stand at exactly 3.5m and hope for the best.

Anyways, I'm looking for a replacement. With this lens and a couple of other cheapies, I can get about £200 trade in and can save a little money to go towards something else.
I've got a 7D, and I've found the 24 to be a little too zoomed for me, but I love the 2.8

Locally, one of my camera shops is selling a 17-40L for £449, and that seems like the best option to me. It's nice and wide and the L glass is always good.

I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions? I'm not adverse to third party options but if possible I'd like to avoid Sigma.
Thanks,
Elliot

[kaihp]

The 17-40L was the first lens I purchased together with my 10D back in '04, and it has been part of my kit since then (I have a 50D now, expecting delivery of a 5D3 RSN) and have no plans of replacing it. I've been very happy with it, and for the first 4 years when I had the 17-40 and a 70-200/4L (non-IS) 80%+ of my shots were with the 17-40L. After getting my hands on a 24-70L, it has been relegated to a more classic WA role.

[Menace]

Remember 17-40L is f4 so If you like 2.8 why not look into EFs 17-55 2.8 - it may not by L but the IQ is superb. Pair it with your 7d and you'll have a great combination.

It's a bit pricy though:  http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/35293/show.html

Also, why not rent both for the week end and see which one you like 

Cheers

[Ewinter]

Remember 17-40L is f4 so If you like 2.8 why not look into EFs 17-55 2.8 - it may not by L but the IQ is superb. Pair it with your 7d and you'll have a great combination.

It's a bit pricy though:  http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/35293/show.html

Also, why not rent both for the week end and see which one you like 

Cheers

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm on a really right budget at the moment, so can't afford the 2.8, sadly. I'm also looking to go FF whenever I  can, so I'm trying to avoid efs lenses, as much as it's a beautiful lens.
Is the weather sealing on the 17 40 any good?

[AJ]

I've used my Tamron 17-50/2.8 to shoot weddings, with good results.

[Ryan708]

My buddy has a 17-40 and he is pretty harsh with it. The color saturation is great, its rugged, and contrasty. He says the weather sealing is great. When I was looking at lenses these were too expensive. I bought a sigma 17-70 2.8-4 OS and kinda wish i got the 17-40L. I do like the IS on my lens, and it is a stop faster on the wide end, and I have alot of fun with it at 17mm with IS on at night. You can get sharp 1/4 second shots. The 17-70 seems to be hit and miss with autofocus being front-focused, but your 7d has AFMA so that is probably not an issue for you.

[Ewinter]

My buddy has a 17-40 and he is pretty harsh with it. The color saturation is great, its rugged, and contrasty. He says the weather sealing is great. When I was looking at lenses these were too expensive. I bought a sigma 17-70 2.8-4 OS and kinda wish i got the 17-40L. I do like the IS on my lens, and it is a stop faster on the wide end, and I have alot of fun with it at 17mm with IS on at night. You can get sharp 1/4 second shots. The 17-70 seems to be hit and miss with autofocus being front-focused, but your 7d has AFMA so that is probably not an issue for you.

That sounds great. The build quality and contrast sounds more useful to me than is really, I use flash a tonne so that'll cover the lack of 2.8. 17_40l it is, thank you all for your posts

[Ryan708]

post some shots once you get it! 

[Ewinter]

post some shots once you get it! 

Will do! Currently borrowing my boss' 17_40. Really love the colours and contrasts, though you have to be a lot more careful with white balance

[Ryan708]

get a larger card and shoot raw all the time? haha didnt think about the WB being more touchy, but i suppose with all that extra color!

[Ewinter]

get a larger card and shoot raw all the time? haha didnt think about the WB being more touchy, but i suppose with all that extra color!

I pretty much shoot raw all the time anyway, the 7d jpeg engine isn't too smart when it comes to low light