What are the advantages vs the disadvantages of a 70-200 f2.8 IS II for my 60D?

[PhotosbyMJ]

Now that I have my 60D its time to set my goal for better glass. I hear rave reviews of the 70-200 f2.8 IS II lens. "No photographer should be without one" etc... My 60D is a 1.6 crop sensor - what are the pluses vs the minuses going for this lens - or is there an alternative suggestion? (Especially since I'm not planing to upgrade to full frame any time soon.)

[PhotosbyMJ]

What do I photograph? Events (fairs to high school sports), Individual & Family portraiture. I also do real estate and product photography. Wedding work is a goal of mine as well. I need low light functionality as I'll shoot as much indoors as I do outdoors. I have a Tamron 10-24mm f3.5-4.5. So my thoughts would be to purchase a Tamron SP 24-70 f2.8 Di VC USD & a Tamron SP 70-200 f2.8 Di VC USD. However, I'd like to be more open in that 10-24 range - perhaps a Sigma 18-35 f1.8? Gear lust has me fully in its grasp...but reality steps in (my funds) and says - now that I have my 60D - you can have just 1 lens to start with. What should it be?

[cale_kat]

Based on what I've read, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 would be a good fit for most of what you shoot. It won't handle high school sports but that's life. I wish there were a one lens solution.

I have used the 60D together with the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 and this is an exceptional combination. The lens balances beautifully on the body feeling substantial but not overly clunky. I thought the autofocus system (ring-type ultrasonic or USM) was fast and quiet and the color rendition of the images were typical of most Canon lens sensor combinations, a bit on the warm and saturated side. I thought the rendition of skin tones to be natural but admitedly shot mostly the ghostly faces of my friends and family in the cloudy Pacific Northwest.

Frankly, Canon created this lens for people like you. IMHO, those looking for a versatile event and wedding lens need look no further. The negatives of this lens? You won't take it with you to a full frame body. The build quality is quite good but not up to L standards. (It's still really well made.) It's pricey.