majority use canon or nikon.. no offense on other brand.. but think about lens + flash.. other brand you may not have alot of shop selling it.

and 17-55 <- as far i know it a 17-55 F2.8 IS --- hahah nie lens cost about 3.5k to 4k alone..

about the kit lens.. <--- review said it was not so good. not really. as fas as i consider you can get good picture with it. practice make perfect. you still new. stick to kit lens.. but you have bigger budget can consider 17-85 .. 17-55 is a much more expensive.