[ftmftm]

Im thinking about a lens upgrade from my Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f3.5-5.6G VR ED to either Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 AF-S or NIKON AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8. The nikon 24-120 is a great walk about lens and the colours and sharpness is spot on, but i done a christening the other week and i was disappointed with it in low level light, ive got another one in a couple of months (christening), i have a nikon 50mm i use aswell but doesn't give you enough scope, are the 2 lenses mentioned worth the money, or is there a sigma, tamron or even the Tokina 28-80mm F2.8 AT-X 280 AF PRO which ive heard goods reports about, the lens is for my nikon d200, anyone got any thoughts about them, thanks David

[Dave]

If you head over to the Equipment Review section there a quite a few reviews of the 17-55 f/2.8, plus if you look at D200 review EvilOwl reckoned it was a great pairing with the stated lens

From a quck test I did with mine here :- Budget prime vs Premium Zoom vs Pro Zoom lens
I have to say I was impressed it got so close to the prime in terms of optical quality.

All this said after trying the 50mm did you find you needed the flexibilty of wider ? but also longer ? . Just trying to ascertain if you need more than 55mm at the long end or not.

For me with the 17-55, I know have a Pro lens that is rated by most, that I really cannot better now for that range. I think Dabhand mentioned somewhere that most of the Pro's he deals with have this lens on their camera bodies much of the time, so that must tell us something.

Can't comment on the other lenses as have never tried them.

[VikingPhotography]

Both the lenses that you've mentioned (17-55 and 28-70) are solid, reliable pieces of kit that have excellent contrast and colour rendition and both are worth the money that you'll pay for them.

Given what you've said about your 50mm not "giving enough scope", I'm going to assume that you mean you can't compose/frame your subjects well enough with its effective 75mm focal length.

With this in mind, I'd recommend the 17-55DX over the 28-70D; after all, the 17-55 was designed as a 'DX replacement' for the 28-70, insofar that it has an effective focal length of 25.5 - 82.5mm.

If you're shopping around on the 'net, you can get the 17-55 for around £950, whereas the 28-70 will set you back about £1200... leaving you plenty of options on what to do with the £250 difference which, in my opinion, would be to get an SB-800 flash for your D200 if you don't already have one.

[ftmftm]

thanks Dave & VikingPhotography the 17-55 dx does sound the best option. thanks for the help in making my mind up, now to find one at the cheapest price. David

[VikingPhotography]

Currently the cheapest you'll find it for is about £950 from parkcameras.com or devoncamera.co.uk; both reputable dealers whom I've used in the past - especially Park.

If they're out of stock, try graysofwestminster.com - a bit pricier at £975 but they're almost guaranteed to have them.

[Dave]

How does £806 all in sound Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 G IF-ED DX Lens - Onestop Digital

[ftmftm]

onestop digital sounds good, ive used them alot so no problem with them. there was someone on fleabay selling them for £799 all in and from the UK said they were UK stock aswell but can't find the link now,

[VikingPhotography]

Not bad, Dave - but there is always the chance that you'll be hit by a VAT bill when importing a lens from abroad. As much as Onestop Digital say they'll reclaim the VAT and issue you a credit note, you'll still have to stump up the readies first and then reclaim.

Perhaps I have a different take on it since I'm VAT registered anyways, but I'd always prefer to either buy my kit in the UK or in person if shopping abroad. It goes without saying that it's cheaper to buy lenses in the USA than it is over here, so if you're planning a trip to the States anytime soon, hold off your purchase till then.

Oh yeah, nearly forgot: Nikon lenses carry a worldwide warranty, so after the first 14 days of ownership have passed, Nikon UK will service any lens that you own.

[P-E]

The 17-55 2.8 is an impressive piece of glass.

[ftmftm]

Thanks for all the advice, ive going for the 17-55

[Dave]

Good choice