Lens Suggestions?

[cliff123]

Hello. I'm looking to upgrade my lenses. I've already discussed my choice of the Sigma or Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, but I would also like to upgrade my 18-70mm 3.5-4.5. I really like the range of this lens, but would ideally prefer a larger aperture (2.8). Neither Nikon or Sigma do such a lens. Nikon do a 17-55 2.8 but this is missing out on the range to 70mm which is handy. I'd like to keep it to 2 lens due to money and as I'm only have one body so don't want to have to be swapping lenses every 10 minutes. Any thoughts would be welcomed.

[VxDuncan]

Hi, what body are we talking again? Take it it has a focus motor built in? Seriously, don't worry about the gap between 50 and 70mm. It really is nothing - a tiny crop will give almost exactly the same effect. I use 17-50 F2.8 Tamron, 80-200mm F2.8 Nikon AF-D and 10-20 sigma (plus a few other primes, macros etc). Never felt there was a hole between the two at all. Get your 18-70 and take shots at 50mm and 70mm, look at the difference and make a judgement. Personally, whilst I have (stupidly sharp) tamron 17-50 (?) XR DII F2.8 thingy, another time I'd go for the sigma equivilent as the tamron built quality ain't great - already had to fix it once.

[Simpo Two]

Unfortunately you can't have a big aperture and a big zoom range. You'll have to decide what's more important, convenience or speed.

My general purpose lens was the 18-70 but now the 17-55 lives on the camera. I haven't found the 'missing' 15mm a great problem.

[miniman]

Simpo Two said:

Unfortunately you can't have a big aperture and a big zoom range.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3349&navigator=3

[VxDuncan]

That's crap it's only F5.6 at 1000mm...... )

[cliff123]

VxDuncan said:

Hi, what body are we talking again?

Will be a D300 next week, D70 today. Planning to buy lenses and body all at the same time to get the best price possible, hence my research at moment.

Your probably right about not missing the 15mm, will go have a play. Thanks for your feedback.

Edited by cliff123 on Tuesday 11th March 11:35

[beano500]

I have similar issues in my proposed upgrade path. Decision is to rationalise to 17-35 and 70-200, keeping a 45 and 55 micro for the middle (maybe upgrade to the new 60mm micro).
The 35-70 range I will cover with my feet

[Simpo Two]

miniman said:

Simpo Two said:

Unfortunately you can't have a big aperture and a big zoom range.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3349&navigator=3

That's only a 1:2.5 zoom ratio. The OP's 18-70 is almost 1:4.

[miniman]

Ah, yes, the word "range" kind of changes things doesn't it