Which lens should I get?

Question:I have some money I recently received from some freelance assignment which I was hoping to reinvest in photography (if other life circumstances do not explode at random times). (About $400) I have a Canon Rebel Xt and obviously the kit lens.
For work I mainly shoot sports or events like concerts, but they provide me with a sigma 70-200 lens (which I can not afford otherwise). My personal photography ranges and so I am torn on what the first lens I purchase should be.
Should I get a zoom lens? If so, which one. How would you invest this money.
thanks in advance!! :)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have some money I recently received from some freelance assignment which I was hoping to reinvest in photography (if other life circumstances do not explode at random times). (About $400) I have a Canon Rebel Xt and obviously the kit lens.
For work I mainly shoot sports or events like concerts, but they provide me with a sigma 70-200 lens (which I can not afford otherwise). My personal photography ranges and so I am torn on what the first lens I purchase should be.
Should I get a zoom lens? If so, which one. How would you invest this money.
thanks in advance!! :)

It's a very personal decision and 100% subject driven. Obviously prime lenses are a lot cheaper and you can get a wide aperture lens for relatively little... but they are a faff to change and don't have the flexibility of a decent wide aperture sports zoom.

I'd tend to the sports zoom, because I personally often shoot in highly pressurized situations when I may not get a second chance. Also I tend towards the wider lenses, but I am NOT a sports, wildlife or pap photographer!!

For GP (general practice) type work, I would always go for a wide to moderate tele lens, and with your camera you get a lens multiplier effect of 1.6, which needs to be taken into account. I always find wide lenses important - not for portraiture obviously - but often for landscapes, settings, interiors and crowded social events for example.

As a result you have to decide, but I'd seriously take a look at the 10-22mm f2.8 and the 17-55mm f2.8 (which will act like 16-35mm and 27-88mm lenses on a 35mm system respectively) - very nice, very flexible for lots of subjects, great in low light situations!

... so I'd either wait, get a loan, or make a more modest purchase from a choice of prime lenses. A nice wide aperture lens is a good investment and a real pleasure - it opens up lots more opportunities in low light, and often that's when you find the most subtle and spectacular lighting effects.

I have no idea what you like to shoot but my FAVORITE lens is a Sigma prime lens. It's a 15mm wide angle F1.4. It's excellent for natural light photography -- I can't stand using the flash. I have some zooms lenses, but I only use them for outdoor photography when I really have to.