Lens upgrade paths (sub $1000) for the EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens for Canon APS-C cameras

This is somewhat a follow-up to my earlier question on the limitations of the kit lens. I have browsed through quite a lot of sites including this one for user opinions & reviews of different Canon lenses, but haven't found a comprehensive answer to the possible upgrade paths from the kit lens, particularly since I don't have a specific usage scenario in mind. Here are a few that I have found that answer the question partially:

Canon 400D lens upgrade test on Camera Labs (Quite old)

Buying first lens after kit lens (for Pentax though)

What's a good all purpose compact lens for a DSLR

Upgrade strategy for Canon EOS DSLRs (more about the cameras)

If you could pick two lenses as a starter kit which ones would you go for?

What's wrong with the Canon EF-S 15-85mm?

Is it worth to have a 50mm 1.8II canon lens.

For this reason, I thought it would be useful to have a list of sub-$1000 upgrade lenses for the kit lens for APS-C format DSLRs (like the 550D, 60D, 7D etc), as a lot of people are upgrading to DSLRs nowadays. The key points that I seek are:

• Pros\cons compared to the kit lens


• Price



• Scenarios the lens is suitable for

Keep in mind that it is primarily for APS-C cameras, so, EF lenses meant primarily for the full frame cameras would end up with the magnification factor of 1.6x. Also, this is focused towards hobbyists & amateurs for which reason I've added the sub-$1000 bit.

P.S. This question might be more suited for a wiki like article (albeit with user opinions included)

Answer

Well, upgrades depends on your need. Something what you consider an upgrade might not be the same for a lot of others. You need to think a few things and get decided on the specs you'd like the new lens on and make a priority list of the features.

• What focal length are you planning on? Do you need a telephoto or a wide angle? If you shoot birds, you need something with a minimum 300mm on the longer side. If you shoot landscapes and sunsets, you'll need something around 10mm.


• Typically when do you shoot? If you shoot mostly in broad daylight, there's no point buying a f/1.4 lens. But if you shoot in low lights, fast lens might be on top of your priority list.


• Do you shoot moving subjects at low-light? Get something with stabilizer, otherwise its a waste.



• Do you use CPL filters? If yes, get a lens which doesn't have a rotating front element.


• Do you plan to upgrade your kit lens in a sense that you want to replace its focal length with something having better image quality or you need a lens which complements your kit lens's focal length reach? I always believed, if you need a better performer in the same range of your kit lens, get 17-55mm f/2.8. If you need something to complement your kit lens, decide on the focal length you need, telephoto or wide angle.


• If you shoot macro, get a 1:1X macro lens. If you're a extreme macro user, get MP-E 65mm 1:5X macro lens.

Hope this helps.