Which wide angle for a crop body?

[donniecs]

I have a Canon EOS 7D that I plan one holding on to for a long while with no intentions of getting into the full frame realm for awhile. My next camera will more than like be full framed but that is probably 4-5 years down the road. I currently have the the 24-105mm and 70-200mm focal lengths covered. Both these lenses will work well on both a crop body and full frame which is why I bought them. I'm looking for versatility and longevity out of my lens collection.

I've been looking at wide angle lenses have been going back and forth with either the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM or the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. I have the money to spend on the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM but I'm not sure that I'd really gain enough in the wide angle area over the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. The positive side about that lens is that it will be great when I eventually step up to a full frame camera down the road and is faster than the other option. My other option is to get the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, it would offer a noticeable difference in wide angle over the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM but would only be useful with my Canon EOS 7D. So the question is should I take the plunge and get the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM which would involve sacrificing some wide angle and spending some more money but in return getting a faster lens that will last for decades? Or go with the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and save a bit of money and get more wide angle ability but have to sell it down the road when I decide to upgrade to full frame? What would you do in this situation?

[autofocus]

Charlie, I have a Tokina 11-16mm, with a constant F/2.8...it's extremely well reviewed, built like a tank, tack sharp, and an all around great ultra wide lens. The only problem, very popular, and often on serious back order. Plus, it's affordable at around $600 - $700 bucks.

[RichardTaylor]

I would buy the 10-22.
Because;
(1) 10mm is real wide, 16 mm is not.
(2) When you upgrade to a full frame camera you may want to keep your 7D as a second body so the lens can still be used.

.

[Photosbykev]

The 16-35mm lens isn't getting much in the way of good reviews so I would tend to avoid it. The 17-40mm is probably the sharpest wideangle lens I own but on a crop sensorit isn't particularly wide.

I've got the 10-22mm sat on a 7D and it is extremely good. I use it for landscape and panoramic photography and I've been impressed by the image quality.

[OsmosisStudios]

I'd suggest the 10-22. If/when you go full-frame and can no longer use EF-S lenses, you can always sell it at a very small loss.