canon 450d user: upgrading from kit lens.

[phyll]

hi all... i've a 18-55mm kit lens currently.
i'm considering upgrading to a macro lens (interested in macro photog) or a longer zoom (for a better general purpose lens), as well as getting EF 50mm f1.8 II for practice.

the canon models i've rounded down to.

macro
EF 50mm f2.5 Compact Macro
EF-S 60mm f2.8 Macro USM

zoom
EF-S 18-200mm
EF-S 55-250mm

which would you recommend i buy first (macro/ standard zoom) for practice and use, given that my budget is around seven hundred? the next time i buy the other lens would probably be a year later.

is EF-S essential for the IS? (over EF)
would you recommend a macro zoom lens, like by sigma or tamron, instead?

sorry for the many questions.

 

[Burnings]

I would go for Macro if I am in your shoes as it gives a totally new perspective and techniques as opposed to super zoom.