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I recently shot some street stuff in poor light at my limit of f4, i liked the out of focus bits f4 gave me and would like to try f2.8 but keep the zoom ability. Go for it.
UNLESS you have no primes at all, if so get the 50mm f1.8 or even the smaller ones as Ade says. Remember you are on APS-c and he is FF so his 50mm is about your 35mm anyway.
The one of Ade's and other's i really like though is the Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM - Yummy, even at f4. Wish i actually had it.
Why do you want a faster lens Chris.
Could you just raise the ISO, would have thought your 10-20 would do.
Quote: I've got a 50m prime but always felt I needed a 35m when using it.
I ended up with the 24-105mm - big and heavy but seems lovely most of the time, every now and again i think the 24-70mm should have been better for its f2.8 extra light and reduced DOF - I'm on APS-s.
For Street photography I'm avidly waiting (though can't afford it) the new Canon Mirror less with a 40mm Pancake. The rumour i like most is it with the 650D APS-c sensor that goes up to ISO Loads and has full time AF in video ( which i don't use but see as useful).
Quote: For Street photography I'm avidly waiting (though can't afford it) the new Canon Mirror less with a 40mm Pancake. The rumour i like most is it with the 650D APS-c sensor that goes up to ISO Loads and has full time AF in video ( which i don't use but see as useful).
Sounds good but I draw the line at another camera!
I did have the Canon 50mm f1.4 but sent it back. Too long. I'm still tempted by a 30 or 35mm prime but I know I'll want the versatility of a zoom.
I'm not doing much by way of talking myself out of the original lens. By the time I've made up my mind I'll probably have enough to buy it anyway. The weight and size put me off a bit though.
All these were taken shooting from the hip with the 17-55mm f2.8 IS. It produces sharp photos straight from f2.8 and the auto focus is fast and accurate. I did a fair bit of research on this and other lenses in the 17mm to 55mm plus range and this was the best, imo, for a crop sensor camera. The image quality is excellent with the centre and edges showing excellent and very good sharpness, better than any of the independent lens makers ( according to the MTF charts ). ( I'm not including Leica or Zeiss in that remark as they make superb lenses, at a heck of a cost mind you ).
I ummed and aarred about whether I could justify the cost, but once I'd bought it ( found a reasonable bargain on fleabay ) I didn't care as the results were very good and it was fun to use taking street shots. The f2.8 is very useful as the shutter speed will be higher than an f4 or f5.6 lens. Resale value is good too.
How about simply getting a separate camera for your street stuff Chris, i now you already have a compact but its not quite the same as a proper small camera 
The x100 has dropped a fair bit now making it cheaper than a lot of lenses, then there`s the x10 that I find I prefer over the x100, faster and better focusing, and a good fast zoom.
http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2012/01/24/streetphotography-japan-fujix10-par...
I've been through all that with the X10 Paul. I'm glad I didn't go for it in the end. I definitely don't want another camera. You have to stop somewhere.
Terrific shots Paintman. When I see stuff like that I just know I really do want one. I dread what the other half would say though. 
Whay about the Canon EF IS USM 28-135mm, cheap as chips has a macro function and some folk reckon that it's as good as an "L" lens......I sold mine a little while ago as it didn't get used and I wanted the money to finance another lens I did want. But it was a very flexible bit of kit, used mine at weddings more than anything and it never gave me any problems.....
Ade
This is a review of the 17-55mm f2.8.
This site has loads of lens reviews and is always my starting point for considering a new lens.
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