How to spend my next $1k or $2k??? - a little help please.

[ham]

I'd ask what you find the main limitations are with your current set-up for what you shoot.

I'd definitely recommend the 17-55mm f/2.8 over your normal lens. The jump from 55 to 70 for your Sigma isn't huge, and you could always bridge it with the 60mm macro in the future if you wanted?

I'd go with the f/2.8 over the 15-85mm pure for the f-stops if you can afford it. I have the 15-85mm and whilst it's a lovely lens, I do wish I had something faster sometimes, more so than I use 85mm? I'm not sure.

[MNHockey]

Wow, that's a great question.

I started shooting RAW exclusively a few years ago and processing them myself. I'm much happier with the results that way, but the Rebel XT only gets 4 RAW's in a burst. When I shoot hockey games that just doesn't work, so I'm back to jpg. I also am less than thrilled with the IQ at 1600 and even 800. But often I find I'm stuck there because of lighting, both at hockey and otherwise. Also, I have been trying to fake wide by doing panos, but have been unhappy with the results and wish I could get wider. I worry about the IQ of the sigma and it can be temperamental to use.