Stepping up from Nikon kit lens (18-70mm)

[Lucas CAV]

I've got a Nikon D70s -- it does everything I want at the moment - although it's noisy at higher ISO's which only rarely annoys me !

I have the kit lens - AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm f3.5 IF ED etc etc

and I have a 50mm F1.8 - this is fantastic although the focal length is a bit too long for general use...


I'm looking for a replacement for the trusty kit lens -- it has given great service but is a bit rattly, dented and scratched ---

what's a good replacement for it? ideally with a step up in quality....

[Simpo Two]

Lucas CAV said:

what's a good replacement for it? ideally with a step up in quality....

Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 (or if that's a bit pricey, Sigma and Tokina offer alternatives)

[Lucas CAV]

Simpo Two said:

Lucas CAV said:

what's a good replacement for it? ideally with a step up in quality....

Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 (or if that's a bit pricey, Sigma and Tokina offer alternatives)

I shall have a look ---

I have a 24mm Nikkor F2.8 prime actually, that I picked up from ebay --- that is very nice

[Fezant Pluckah]

I too have the 18-70 and I'm getting a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 Ex DC Macro/HSM as it's a quarter of the price of the Nikon equivelant.

[Lucas CAV]

Fezant Pluckah said:

I too have the 18-70 and I'm getting a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 Ex DC Macro/HSM as it's a quarter of the price of the Nikon equivelant.

looks a good price for that lens

[rhubarb]

I'm in the same boat too, my 17-70 is as yours battered and bruised now. Been looking for a replacement for a little while now. I'm sure I remember someone on here buying the sigma 18-50 and saying that even though it was f2.8, actually it wasn't as good as the 17-70 kit lens and so jacked it in - Simpo Two was that you?

I toyed briefly with the Nikon 16-85 and whilst its not that fast it does have VR and is supposedly quite a good lens - but it is expensive for what it is. So now I'm looking for a second hand 17-55 nikon, but they seem to be few and far between at the moment.

[Don]

Consider the Nikon VR 18-200mm super zoom.

A wery practical lens. Great for "kit reduction" if you need to travel light.

[Lucas CAV]

rhubarb said:

I'm in the same boat too, my 17-70 is as yours battered and bruised now. Been looking for a replacement for a little while now. I'm sure I remember someone on here buying the sigma 18-50 and saying that even though it was f2.8, actually it wasn't as good as the 17-70 kit lens and so jacked it in - Simpo Two was that you?

I toyed briefly with the Nikon 16-85 and whilst its not that fast it does have VR and is supposedly quite a good lens - but it is expensive for what it is. So now I'm looking for a second hand 17-55 nikon, but they seem to be few and far between at the moment.

trouble is, some cheaper lenses can be a little soft when wide open so F2.8 not really worth it??

[Lucas CAV]

Don said:

Consider the Nikon VR 18-200mm super zoom.

A wery practical lens. Great for "kit reduction" if you need to travel light.

not too bothered about kit reduction, tbh any more than 70mm would be wasted for the type of pictures I take

[Simpo Two]

rhubarb said:

I'm in the same boat too, my 17-70 is as yours battered and bruised now. Been looking for a replacement for a little while now. I'm sure I remember someone on here buying the sigma 18-50 and saying that even though it was f2.8, actually it wasn't as good as the 17-70 kit lens and so jacked it in - Simpo Two was that you?

Not quite. Trying to avoid paying the thick end of a grand for a lens, I tried a couple of Sigma 20-40s but neither would focus accurately, so eventually I stumped up for what I should have got to start with, and am very pleased with it. In fact, it's one reason why I stayed with the DX format.