Kit lens replacement - Nikon

squerble · 24 Jul 2015 at 10:21

Hi all,

Just sold on my D3200 with the 18-55mm kit lens so I'm looking for an "upgrade" to go on my lovely new D7200. Is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 still the one to go for? I see Tamron also do a 17-50 f/2.8, and Nikon do a 17-55 2.8 but this one is likely to be out of price range, even used.

I'll be adding this lens for use with the 35mm f/1.8 and a the 55-300mm f/reallyhigh.

Amp34 · 24 Jul 2015 at 13:30

Sigma 17-70 OS? The new "C" version is very good. It gives you a bit more range than the 17-50 lenses.

MichaelAwkward · 24 Jul 2015 at 13:38

You can go for either the 17-50 f2.8 from Sigma/Tamron or Nikon, OR for something like a 16-85mm/18-140mm f3.5-5.6 for general purpose use.

Depends what you're shooting.

D.P. · 24 Jul 2015 at 16:18

There are a lot fo choices.

I was a big fan of the original Nikon 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 VRII. Very sharp and contrasty, very useful focal range. 16mm makes a big difference to photography compared to 17/18mm lenses, much more so than the difference between 85mm and 105/140mm, for my kind of photography. Works really well paired with the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX

There is now a newer version which although more expensive is a stop faster which I think is a good upgrade.

In general there is a a tradeoff between zoom range, aperture and IQ.
*) At the long end you get an 18-140mm f/5.6. IQ is fine but it wont break any records.
*) 16-85mm f/5.6. Just as slow but better IQ and mire importantly, wider.
*) 16-85mm f/2.8-f/4.0 Nano. 1 stop faster, all the latest bells and whistles.
*) Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 . Built like a take, professional lens. You loose the zoom range but gain an extra stop at the long end.
*) Tamron/Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8. Not as sharp as the Nikon and plastic fantasticc. Slightly shorter telephoto, much cheaper though.
*). Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. Much less reach but 1&1/3 stop faster again and this lens has the best IQ out of all of them.

If I was buying a again I would get the Sigma 18-35mmm f/2.8 and get rid of all my shorter primes (35 and 50mm f/1.8s). But I would also add the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-/5.6 as a lighter lens with more reach and wider.

9designs2 · 24 Jul 2015 at 19:27

Can vouch for the Nikon 16-85 lens, it's excellent, hadn't seen the new 16-80 f2.8 (want one now)...
When I moved back from Canon (5D 24-105L) to Nikon 7000 (now 7200) I tracked down a used 18-85 as the ideal option. It didn't disappoint, the wide end out to 16mm is really useful....

squerble · 24 Jul 2015 at 20:32

Thanks for the suggestions all, I've got plenty to mull over. I think for the most part I'd be looking at a fast lens as I usually end up shooting people inside/in low light so f/2.8 or faster is going to help here. I'd love the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, but that's pushing the budget too much I think, even if I sold on my 35 f/1.8 (which is fantastic and wonderfully sharp).

I'm still holding out hope that Nikon will release a 24mm f/1.8 DX to get a 35mm equivalent. I'm sure it'd sell like hot cakes for the DX range, the 35mm already does.

THC_SsSsSnake · 24 Jul 2015 at 21:17

D.P. said:
There are a lot fo choices.

I was a big fan of the original Nikon 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 VRII. Very sharp and contrasty, very useful focal range. 16mm makes a big difference to photography compared to 17/18mm lenses, much more so than the difference between 85mm and 105/140mm, for my kind of photography. Works really well paired with the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX

There is now a newer version which although more expensive is a stop faster which I think is a good upgrade.

In general there is a a tradeoff between zoom range, aperture and IQ.
*) At the long end you get an 18-140mm f/5.6. IQ is fine but it wont break any records.
*) 16-85mm f/5.6. Just as slow but better IQ and mire importantly, wider.
*) 16-85mm f/2.8-f/4.0 Nano. 1 stop faster, all the latest bells and whistles.
*) Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 . Built like a take, professional lens. You loose the zoom range but gain an extra stop at the long end.
*) Tamron/Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8. Not as sharp as the Nikon and plastic fantasticc. Slightly shorter telephoto, much cheaper though.
*). Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. Much less reach but 1&1/3 stop faster again and this lens has the best IQ out of all of them.

If I was buying a again I would get the Sigma 18-35mmm f/2.8 and get rid of all my shorter primes (35 and 50mm f/1.8s). But I would also add the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-/5.6 as a lighter lens with more reach and wider.

thats interesting because i was thinking of doing that myself,(16-85)rather than having to change lenses .covers a good range.

Columbo · 24 Jul 2015 at 21:58

Don't discount he Nikon 18-200mm VR either if you don't need f2.8, I had one and was very surprised just how good is was, although I'd be wanting 16mm at the wide end minimum these days.