Nikon 17-55 f2.8 or 24-70

[DHA]

Have pretty much decided to go for the 17-55 f2.8 DX version as a top quality lens purchase for my main lens. I don't intend to go full frame, it is just a hobby and if I convince myself that DX will be all I will ever use (stop laughing at the back) then the 17-55 f2.8 is a good investment. The DX sensor will also give it a decent reach as a walk around but the 24-70 is in the back of my mind (but I can't find any reasonably priced used examples) but will 24 on a DX sensor be too high a start point for a walk about lens?

[SamHH]

I'd find 17-55mm a much more useful length than 24-70mm, but it's such a personal thing that you're never going to get a definitive answer from other people.

The obvious question is what focal lengths do you most use with your current lens.

[NewNameNeeded]

It might be worth considering the size and weight of the two lenses.

The 17-55mm is enough of a hefty beast as it is (755g) but the 24-70mm is even bigger and heavier (900g).

By the way, I have the 17-55mm and it sits beautifully on a D300. Lovely match in terms of size, weight and balance. Best lens I ever bought.

Matt

[Simpo Two]

There's a lot of difference between 17mm and 24mm (and if you're in a corner you can't get any further back) - but not so much between 55mm and 70mm - and very often you can get further forward or just crop a bit.

You can crop out stuff that's in frame you don't want, but you can't 'crop in' stuff that's outside the frame!

[RobDickinson]

Is the nikon 17-55 so much better than the tamron 18-50 that its worth what 3 * the price?

For me I went with the canon 17-55 (IS and USM) and didnt trust the tamrons vc version. I found the 24-70 (canons) great BUT not wide enough to leave the house without a 10-20, not good if I just want one lens to run out with.

[forty-two]

I brought one of these to go with my D300s as my first lens.

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/pro...

It's a nice lens but having nothing to compare it against I can't say what the short comings are just yet.

[DHA]

Cheers for the input, went for the 17-55 in the end. Should be here tomorrow