Canon 35mm F2

[gturner]

I have the 50mm but on a 50D find it is not nearly wide enough to use when I need it (indoors, kids partys, weddings etc)

I have a 17-40 F4 as a landscape lens, but it is not nearly fast enough for the quick shots in poor light that I want.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the 35mm F2 or perhaps any other suggestions of a fairly inexpensive, good quality wide prime for a 1.6 crop body

[OsmosisStudios]

I've heard good things about Sigma's 30mm f/1.4. Never tried it myself, but I believe kirbinster has one.

[inkista]

The usual recommendations are the Sigma 30/1.4, the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM, or the EF 35/2.

The 28/1.8 is probably too expensive new, but maybe used it'll come into the right price range. Sigma makes a less expensive 28/1.8, but the reviews on it (particularly with focusing accuracy on Canon) are mixed.

The 35/2 is a good lens, but the general feel on it is that it's a little out of date, as it lacks USM.

You don't want to do what I did. I got myself an old Leica-R Summicron 35 (f/2), and adapted it. No autofocus; weird metering; I can only shoot in M or Av. I love the hell out of it, but it's not the path for everyone.

[gturner]

that sounds like a Frankenstein design!
I think the 35 F2 is the answer - enough width to get a few folk into a shot and tight enough to frame what needs to be framed