Need help choosing a lens!

[txgirl]

I need an "every day" lens for my Canon Elan 7ne - yes, I still shoot film  . I have the 17-40 4L USM, 70-300 4-5.6 IS and the kit lens 28-105 4-5.6. What I am running into is the ability to be able to just take quick snapshots of people including some background while I standing maybe 10-15' away from them. This generally happens when we are in crowded locations and I don't have the option of getting far enough away for the zoom and with the wide angle, I feel like I'm right on top of them. Basically just a good lens I can leave on all the time. I've read the reviews for some of the prime lenses which I thought I was leaning towards but now I'm wondering if I should get the better 28-105 lens or something along those lines.

I am definitely not a professional so I'm not looking for the "best" lens money can buy. I do want something decent and especially one that is good in low light situations.

I appreciate any suggestions/help anyone can give me.

Oh yeah, I'm going to Switzerland and Germany during the Christmas holidays so I need something before then...

[Bob Atkins]

Well, it's not focal length that's your problem since you have everything covered from 17mm to 300mm. The better 28-105 (3.5-4.5 version) won't really help any in framing your shots.

You could always go for the EF50/1.8 II. It won't give you a different perspective from the 28-105 zoomed to 50mm, but the faster speed might be useful in low light and the shallow depth of field wide open may give your images a different "look". If 50mm is too long, the EF 35/2 is another good lens that won't break the bank.

[txgirl]

Thank you. I was leaning towards the 50 mm but when I was reading your lens reviews, I saw that you suggested other lenses, i.e. 80mm is one that I remember. I will explore the options you suggested.