Everyday mid zoom lens for the D7000

greenoak

greenoak

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Carl
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Ive just upgraded from a D90 and looking for a decent walkabout lens

I already have a Tokina wide angle and the sigma 70 / 200 2.8 HSM OS and the 50mm prime 1.8

I see the Tamron 17/50 2.8 non OS is very well regarded or the sigma version or the Nikon 16/85 VC lens

I most enjoy landscape and travel photos. I would say I have quite shaky hands and lean towards the Nikon but SH its twice as expensive as the other 2. Theres one is classifieds at around £300 which I can just about make, if I skip a curry or two.

I do not do portraits or street work, I would use the prime for snaps

What do you guys think...

thanks
 
I have the Tamron 18-270mm 3.6/5.3 and have to say i love it for the price.
Going on my experience with that lens, i would have no worries about getting another Tamron.
Have you thought about seeing if you can find a TPer local who has the lens, maybe meet up and see if they will let you try it.

Some say the Tamron focus is slow, but as i don't have a mega expensive lens to trial it against, i couldn't say.
 
ive got the sigma 70 - 200. Light years ahead of the 18 /200
 
How shaky is shaky? Can you get away without VR/OS at 1/120th and 70mm? If so, I'm not sure you'll really need stabilization on a "standard" lens, unless the shakiness is due to a progressive condition and likely to get worse (I hope that isn't the case). If you can get away without the VR, I would be very tempted by an 18-70, as used to be supplied as a kit lens with the D70 and a few others. It punches way above its weight in terms of performance and TBH, if I still used Dx, I would still have mine - only sold it on because the chap who boght my D200 needed a lens to go with it and since I had upgraded to a D700 (full frame), the Dx lens wasn't much use to me (I had Full Frame lenses that cover that range already). Not sure if the lens is still available new but they do seem to be reasonable common on 2nd hand shelves at a reasonable price. Check the ads in the back of Amateur Photographer, MPB's ad (often come up on the top bar of the forum) or even the classified section on the forum (it looks like you have enough posts and have been a member long enough to have access). A quick peek at Mifsuds's site shows one at £129 in Exc. ++ condition (and in my experience, their condition reports are accurate). No listing for the lens new, so my guess is that it's been discontinued.
 
Nod said:
How shaky is shaky? Can you get away without VR/OS at 1/120th and 70mm? If so, I'm not sure you'll really need stabilization on a "standard" lens, unless the shakiness is due to a progressive condition and likely to get worse (I hope that isn't the case). If you can get away without the VR, I would be very tempted by an 18-70, as used to be supplied as a kit lens with the D70 and a few others. It punches way above its weight in terms of performance and TBH, if I still used Dx, I would still have mine - only sold it on because the chap who boght my D200 needed a lens to go with it and since I had upgraded to a D700 (full frame), the Dx lens wasn't much use to me (I had Full Frame lenses that cover that range already). Not sure if the lens is still available new but they do seem to be reasonable common on 2nd hand shelves at a reasonable price. Check the ads in the back of Amateur Photographer, MPB's ad (often come up on the top bar of the forum) or even the classified section on the forum (it looks like you have enough posts and have been a member long enough to have access). A quick peek at Mifsuds's site shows one at £129 in Exc. ++ condition (and in my experience, their condition reports are accurate). No listing for the lens new, so my guess is that it's been discontinued.
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Thanks nod I will check that out
 
Thanks nod. I will check that one out.
 
Not sure where you are Carl but I would always recommend trying a 2nd hand lens before you buy it, or making sure you can return it should it not meet your expectations. We're very lucky in Exeter, we have 2 decently stocked 2nd hand dealers and the aforementioned Mifsuds about 1/2 - 3/4 of an hour away (dangerous when GAS [gear aquisition syndrome] takes a hold!) other parts of the world may not be so lucky (and probably save residents loads of money!)
 
if you're looking in the 17-50 range, I don't think you can go far wrong with the Sigma 17-50 2.8, it's a little more than your budget, but when this went on my camera, it stayed on for a very long time and is normally my lens of choice for walkabout stuff.
 
I had a 18-200 with my D7000 and it was not as sharp as it seems on other bodies many say it was not upto the quality of the D7000 ? maybe its like the new D800 a lot of glass is not upto that standard ? That said I did get good results from it at f8 and good light and as a walkaround lens its good and times ive missed the functionality of it.
 
AdamSi said:
I had a 18-200 with my D7000 and it was not as sharp as it seems on other bodies many say it was not upto the quality of the D7000 ? maybe its like the new D800 a lot of glass is not upto that standard ? That said I did get good results from it at f8 and good light and as a walkaround lens its good and times ive missed the functionality of it.
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For me it's really splitting hairs between it at f8 and the 50mm 1.8afs at f4.

I'm very picky over lens sharpness, if it's not tack sharp wide open I don't buy or if I have then it doesn't stay with me for long. The 18-200mm I can't praise enough...
 
Phil, is the 18-200 Fx or Dx and if Fx, what's it like in the corners as regards sharpness? Trying to lighten my DSLR kit and this lens may be an answer to my prayers! Of course, I'll be trying one out before making a final decision but the opinion of a man who's fussy about sharpness could make a difference between me trying one and leaving the card at home!
 
Nod said:
Phil, is the 18-200 Fx or Dx and if Fx, what's it like in the corners as regards sharpness? Trying to lighten my DSLR kit and this lens may be an answer to my prayers! Of course, I'll be trying one out before making a final decision but the opinion of a man who's fussy about sharpness could make a difference between me trying one and leaving the card at home!
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DX but it's good at most lengths and apertures but great stopped down. It's soft at the corners @ 135 to the point of not being usable (centre still ok). Stopping down solves the issue.
 
Dx is no use to me, thanks for the info.

<---
 
In my experience the 18 - 200 is only Ok in image quality. I never got a single WOW image from mine, whereas my Sigma 70 / 200 gets plenty of WOW images. I sold mine pretty quickly, and would not want to replace it.

Its the range of 17/18 - 50 / 70 that I am interested in.
 
HopefulM said:
if you're looking in the 17-50 range, I don't think you can go far wrong with the Sigma 17-50 2.8, it's a little more than your budget, but when this went on my camera, it stayed on for a very long time and is normally my lens of choice for walkabout stuff.
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yeah same here, i absolutely love it.
 
:cool: I can recommend the tamron 17-50mm vc very sharp even wide open its damn good and the vc is just a bonus!:D
(You nearly brought mine once!)
 
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