Lens Recommendation

redhaltonredhalton Registered Users Posts: 89 Big grins
edited January 28, 2009 in Cameras
Hi

I'm looking for some advice on my choice of lenses. I began my journey last Feb with the purchase of a Nikon D80 with a kit lens Nikon 18-70mm and a 70-300mm. I just recently sold the 70-300mm and purchased the Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8. Now I want to replace the small kit lens with a F/2.8 zoom and I'm undecided whether I should go with the less expensive Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8 or the more expensive 28-70mm F/2.8. There is no question I want the update in the F/2.8 lens. I don't specialize in any particular field, landscapes, car shows, I shoot pretty well everything and anything.

Now to bring you up to date my local camera shop has a used Nikkor 28-70mm F/2.8 I believe it is the lens before the latest release and they want $1250.00 CAD with a 90 day guarantee and the Nikkor 17-55mm is $1430.00 CAD/New. The Nikkor 28-70mm is $1900.00 CAD/New.

If you faced this decision--how would you deal with it?

Thanks
Bob
http://www.oakvillepictureperfect.ca

Comments

  • Candid ArtsCandid Arts Registered Users Posts: 1,685 Major grins
    edited January 25, 2009
    Do you need the extra width of the 17? or do you wanna reach to the 70 range (where your 70-200 will pick up the rest) or is 55 good enough?

    I'm in the similar situation with canon and I say go both! Each one does something that the other does not. If you feel the need for both, do both. But I'm a gear junky...
    Candid Arts Photography | Portland Oregon | Fine Art
    OneTwoFiftieth | Portland, Oregon | Modern Portraiture

    My Equipment:
    Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon EOS 1
    Lenses: Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8
    Lighting: Canon 580EXII, Canon 420 EX, 12" Reflector, Pocket Wizard Plus II (3), AB800 (3), Large Softbox
    Stability: Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod, Manfrotto 488RC4 Ball Head, Manfrotto 679B Monopod
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,082 moderator
    edited January 25, 2009
    The Nikkor 18-70mm, f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX is a very nice upper level consumer zoom. It does lack some sharpness wide open but if you give it enough light it has very nice sharpness and contrast at middle apertures.

    The Nikkor 17-55mm, f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S DX is a true professional lens with a usable wide open aperture and excellent detail by f4-f5.6.

    The Nikkor 28-70mm, f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S is another professional lens that you could also use on the D3/D700 bodies. If you are happy with the 18-70mm at the wide end you could continue to use it that way and then the 28-70mm lens could become your "standard" lens, understanding that it just won't be as suitable for some interiors on a crop body.

    I use a 17-55mm lens as standard on my Canon crop 1.6x bodies and a Canon 28-80mm lens as standard on my crop 1.3x bodies. (Hopefully I will soon have a full-frame camera which will also use the 28-80mm as a standard lens.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • AspectArtsAspectArts Registered Users Posts: 61 Big grins
    edited January 26, 2009
    Well, I think you need to look ahead to what body you want to end up with. I just had to make this choice myself, and opted with the 24-70 2.8 because I plan to upgrade to a full frame camera and I don't want to have to upgrade my glass at the same time. So, for now, I'll sacrifice the bit of wide angle on my D80. I just got the 24-70 this afternoon, and it is a beautiful hunk of Nikon glass! ;)
    Lisa

    my site: www.aspectartsphoto.com
    my gear: nikon D700, 70-200 mm 2.8, 24-70 mm 2.8, 50 mm 1.4, SB600, AB800
  • bosco0633bosco0633 Registered Users Posts: 52 Big grins
    edited January 26, 2009
    It is funny, I just posted this on another forum. I have an 18-200mm VR lens with my D300. I wanted to know which way I should be saving up for. My question was what should I do. I thought maybe the 200-400mm nikon lens and a 50mm 1.4 lens or the 14-24mm f2.8,24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8.

    So lost then after reading so many reviews and what not, I have created a 5 years lens plan so to speak.

    This year I am going to get my 105mm VR Nikor Micro lens and perhaps the 50mm f1.4 prime lens. I cant wait. I will keep my 18-200 always with my D300 for vacations and what not.

    The following years, I am going to purchased in the following order
    1. 24-70mm f2.8
    2. 70-200mm f2.8
    3. 14-24mm f2.8

    Then down down down down down down down down the road, perhaps I will consider the 200-400mm f4, but to tell you the truth, I just dont think that I can justify owning one. Thats why I will put it off for as long as I can.

    I am excited to have created this plan. As the person above me said, you really need to consider what you are going to be shooting with in the future. If you go to the D700, D3 etc. you will want most of the above lenses for compatibility.

    If you got the 70-200mm f2.8 already then you are half way there. It is like Raggedy Ann without andy, She needs her brother, the 24-70mm f2.8. Save up for it if you cant afford it right now, it is the right choice.

    But again just my 2 cents.
  • redhaltonredhalton Registered Users Posts: 89 Big grins
    edited January 27, 2009
    Well I just decided to go with the Nikkor 28-70mm F/2.8 (used) from a local vendor--I haven't got it yet and it isn't cheap, but I believe it will serve my needs for a couple years.

    Thanks for all the helpful input.
    http://www.oakvillepictureperfect.ca
  • angevin1angevin1 Registered Users Posts: 3,403 Major grins
    edited January 27, 2009
    redhalton wrote:
    Well I just decided to go with the Nikkor 28-70mm F/2.8 (used) from a local vendor--I haven't got it yet and it isn't cheap, but I believe it will serve my needs for a couple years.

    Thanks for all the helpful input.


    You are keeping an eye on KEH, yes?

    cheers, tom
    tom wise
  • swintonphotoswintonphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,664 Major grins
    edited January 27, 2009
    I would go for the 17-55 2.8 in a heartbeat. I think you would feel limited in some settings to not have the extra wide angle capabilities.
    Jonathan
    http://www.jonathanswinton.com
    http://www.swintoncounseling.com
  • JovesJoves Registered Users Posts: 200 Major grins
    edited January 27, 2009
    I was going to suggest the Sigma 18-50 DC EX HSM Macro. Ive seen images from it and, it is a great lens.
    I shoot therefore Iam.
    http://joves.smugmug.com/
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    ziggy53 wrote:
    The Nikkor 28-70mm, f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S is another professional lens that you could also use on the D3/D700 bodies. If you are happy with the 18-70mm at the wide end you could continue to use it that way and then the 28-70mm lens could become your "standard" lens, understanding that it just won't be as suitable for some interiors on a crop body.

    Do you mean the 24-70mm? I'm not finding a 28-70mm anywhere...headscratch.gif
    //Leah
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,082 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    catspaw wrote:
    Do you mean the 24-70mm? I'm not finding a 28-70mm anywhere...headscratch.gif

    The 28-70mm is the older version that I think the original poster had found used in a shop and the 24-70mm is the current version. Both are very nice lenses.

    Here is the Nikon archives page on the older version:

    http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product-Archive/Camera-Lenses/1961/AF-S-Zoom-NIKKOR-28-70mm-f%252F2.8D-IF-ED.html
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • catspawcatspaw Registered Users Posts: 1,292 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    ziggy53 wrote:
    The 28-70mm is the older version that I think the original poster had found used in a shop and the 24-70mm is the current version. Both are very nice lenses.

    Here is the Nikon archives page on the older version:

    http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product-Archive/Camera-Lenses/1961/AF-S-Zoom-NIKKOR-28-70mm-f%252F2.8D-IF-ED.html

    ah ha, gotcha! I was searching Adorama, so only pulling up current offerings :)thumb.gif
    //Leah
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