Looking at Canon 30D - advice please

[b2tus]

Already have a Canon 300D with cheapy Canon 18/55 lens and an excellent Canon 75/300 IS zoom.
Ready to trade up to a 30D and have been watching prices falling recently to a level where I am ready to go.
Obviously I want to keep the 75/300 IS and looking to buy the 30D with the Canon 17/85 IS lens. This combo is around £1150 on the internet. I can buy a 30D with cheapy Canon 18/55 lens at Dixons Heathrow at £749 saving £400. Cheapest 30D body only on internet is around £780.
Question is.....should I go for the Dixons option, save £400 and keep my eyes open for a decent small zoom lens - Sigma or other? Is the Canon 17/85 IS worth £400 more than the cheapy 17/55? Any thoughts/ideas would be welcome.
Off to Kenya again mid September for the wildlife and want to get the 30D in time for that trip.

[robdickinson]

IMO the 17-85 doesnt always get shining reviews.

If you can cope with the lack of wide end the tamrobn 28-75 f2.8 is a stunning lens for 270quid, well worth canon L glass money. Constant (fast) apature and pin sharp - no need for IS (well not as much..)

If not look at the sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 for 235.

[b2tus]

Thanks Rob. Good to hear about alternatives to the Canon 17-85 IS. Like you, wondering if IS is worth having on a short zoom.
Will check out price/availabilty on Tamron on internet. I am in Heathrow every week so can pick up to 30D with cheapie lens for £749 anytime.
Thanks again.

[Gemm]

Yes, IS can be a great benefit in wide zoom, e.g. low light landscape. Personally I think 17-85 would be a good choice. I used to use 28-135 IS and it was one of the most versatile lens I've used. I now use 24-105 IS and love it.

[marctwo]

Depends what you need it for. IS is useful when you are shooting still subjects in low light. Fast aperture is useful when shooting moving objects in low light. A friend has the 17-85 Canon and it certainly covers a very useful range and the IS is nice to have too.

You can get the 30D body on the internet for £750 now, although if you can get the kit for that, you can just sell the kit lens on ebay and it makes the body even cheaper.

[Oakey]

I believe it's possible to get the 30D body only for around £650 at Dixons online if yo have an Egg card? There was a thread about it on here somewhere.

[b2tus]

Thks Oakey but deal has gone from their site. Called them but no go.