is 17-55IS the ultimate lens for 7d?!?!

[parkkibum]

i have 7d with 50mm 1.8 and 55-250 IS

i'm trying to get a standard zoom lens, 17-55IS, , 24-70L, 24-105L,or wide angle zoom 17-40L16-30L

i did a little bit of research and it seems like most people agree that 17-55 is is the way to go. however with $1200 i thought why not L lens..so what are the major advantages of 17-55IS over those L lenses,

i was considering either 17-40 or 16-35 . reason why i'm considering L lens is not only it's L!!! but what if i decided to get full frame body later on?

any comment will be great help!! thanks in advance!

[Cardiiiii]

If you have $1200 to spend I'd pick the 24-105 everyday. The 17-55 will be useful in low light, but not as useful as your 50. So I'd close my eyes and get the 24-105.

[RichardTaylor]

The advantages the 17-55 has is that it is;
(1) relatively fast (F2.8) and has IS
(2) Fairly wide to short telephoto
(3) Relatively small.

I don't own one but I do own own 4 other L lens and some consumer lenses.
Usually they have:
(1) Faster focussing.
(2) Better IQ, especially wide open.
(3) Better Bokeh
(4) Better build quality.

.

[OsmosisStudios]

17-55 IS or the 24-70 f/2.8

[andrewq]

I just bought a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 with no IS (they have an IS for half the canon price btw) and this little sucker is SHARP. The Canon is overpriced. The AF on this tamron is fast but not silent but I shoot live music and even I don't think that the AF noise is going to be bothersome. I have ultrasonic Canon lenses and I know the speed with which they focus. This tamron AF is just a tad slower but not enough for me to worry. Plus it has the 2.8 fixed.

Consider it. $450!