Here are my 2¢ as an amature who has only owned a DSLR for a year,


If you really expect to move up to FF some time go ahead and spend the extra money on an L series lens. I would recommend (mostly from reading Brian's reviews) the EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM for the wide angle. This an especially good idea if you are already happy with your 28-135mm as it would be expanding your range and be adding excellent glass at the same time. Granted that lens will probably run you $1500 so you might not be too interested in that kind of an investment right now.


In light of that the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is an extremely good lens. I have heard many people who are happy with the lens. If you are willing to try out third party lenses, though, I would suggest that you first look at the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II. Brian says the optics preform very similarly to the EF-S 17-55mm and it is also an f/2.8 which would fill your lower light needs. If that is not enough there is an image stabilized version too. The Tamron will go for about $500 and with image stabilizer about $750.


As a side note, if you really are going to start to get out in the portrait world I will strongly suggest that you get the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. That lens is very incredible for the price you pay and you will never want to go back to the cheaper optics that Canon offers. It is very sharp and really nice to shoot with. I really like the amount of bokeh it has.


Hope this helps some,


Samuel